IS connecting on a spiritual level too lofty a goal for a blind date? Judging from last week’s Meet Market matchup, maybe . . . or maybe not. Matt, a 29-year-old loan officer/comedian, and Jen, a 26-year-old teacher/musician, are both avid Buddhists, and have even come close to crossing paths at the same meditation center. But from the look of their date at Almond Flower Bistro, their quests for enlightenment may be better off as solitary pursuits.
He said:
I nervously shuffled my feet in the foyer of Almond Flower Bistro. Jen was late, and I couldn’t help but imagine the worst: She wouldn’t show up.
Finally, after 10 minutes, she arrived. I’d seen a photo of her beforehand, but generally these images are touched up or of my date’s more attractive cousin. (That’s actually happened to me in the past.) Fortunately, my fears were unwarranted. Jen had a curvaceous, adorable figure, silky blond hair and an enchanting smile.
We got along great. In 10 minutes, it felt like I’d known her for years. Candid and open, Jen was a girl-next-door type with whom you’d feel comfortable going bowling and then sharing a Twinkie.
Jen has a great sense of humor. Well, to be perfectly frank, I say this about anyone who laughs at my jokes. But I appreciated the fact that she made me feel like Richard Pryor on the Sunset Strip and not, say, the host of an open mike at a bad theme restaurant.
We shared many interests: astrology, writing, performing, billiards, Buddhism. The last of these was the most intriguing, and we discovered that we meditate at the same Shambhala center. Too bad I never keep my eyes open when I meditate – otherwise, I’d have asked her out sooner. And when we discussed our careers over a raspberry, mango and lime sorbet dessert, it turns out we’re both pretty ambitious in achieving our dreams – her in music and
spiritual-book publishing, and me as a comedian and writer.
I escorted Jen to the subway, where we exchanged numbers at my request. Provided Jen’s account of our date was not vastly dissimilar to my own – which, let’s face it, would be incredibly embarrassing – I’d definitely be interested in becoming more familiar with her. She has a great deal to offer.
Rating: —
She said:
Matt was already at Almond Flower Bistro when I arrived. He was dressed in a suit, and I’m not gonna lie: My first impression was that this guy is going to be really boring and weird. He looked uptight, like an accountant. So imagine my surprise when we sit down and start talking, and I discover that his personality didn’t fit with his look at all – he was actually warm and funny. I just assumed he’d be some boring banker, but he’s really artistic and creative, which was a nice surprise.
We had plenty to talk about: Matt taught college writing and I’m going to school for teaching, so we discussed the creative process a bit. He’s also very spiritual and into Buddhism, like me. I read birth charts, and when he told me he’s a Gemini, I took that as a good sign – I’m a Sagittarius, and we’re opposite signs, so we complement each other well.
Dinner with Matt was really fun – the calamari was good, and we spent the whole time talking and laughing. It was after dinner when things kind of got uncomfortable. We were both taking the subway home, and when he asked for my number, I think he also wanted to kiss me, which I wasn’t ready for. I felt like a friend toward him. I would like to hang out with him again since we have so many common interests, but at this point, I can’t see it going beyond that.
Rating: —