Approaching Normal

My good friend, Gussie Finknottle, and I went to the Gardens yesterday. We thought we'd catch the Fall Colors, but I guess we were a little early. It was beautiful, as always, though, and we sipped green tea and noshed on lavender-flavored chocolate in one of the enclosures in the Garden. That is a day I want to repeat as often as possible.

As we wandered down to Gussie's favorite bench, we passed a man deep in meditation by the falls. I thought nothing of it until he, in turn, wandered past us as we sipped our tea. He was a good looking man. He was alone. He was about my age. Gussie and I had fun admiring his many fine attributes after he'd walked past. I suspect he may have heard some of what we said because he showed up in many of the places we went after we'd finished our tea and taken our pictures. He has very nice eyes, and a really gentle smile. I know because we achieved eye-lock in passing.

The funny part is that I had no idea what to DO about it. I felt shy about approaching him-- and what the heck do you say to a guy you've never met??? You have nice eyes, here's my phone number? How old are you, and are you currently in a relationship because I don't want to ask out a married man who's twice my age? (or, conversely, who it's technically illegal for me to date) ... I guess maybe he was also unsure of what to do about our little non-existent interaction... because we never did do more than bump into each other and smile a lot.

And I'm actually pretty disappointed that I didn't take the opportunity. How likely is it that I'll run into him again in THIS town?! It certainly never happened before. I'd remember him. And really-- what IS normal when it comes to approaching someone you think you'd like a chance to know better?

I still don't know, but at least I have a sort of a plan if I find someone interesting in my path again. I'm going to go up to him (a good way to start, non?), and ask if he works around here. Tell him I was feeling shy about asking a stranger on a date, but maybe if I run into him again once or twice, he'll ask me instead. I figure a mix of honesty and humor can't be bad, and if he tells me he IS seeing someone or married or working at K-mart after school (high school), well, at least I didn't ask him out on a date, and I know where NOT to go to avoid seeing him again. I think it's a good plan. I think this because at least now I HAVE a plan.

And... in the meantime... I might just plan to hit the Gardens again next Friday.
... Just in case.