My date with Tim

You know what I realized?  I've gone out with a lot of Tims.  There was one in university, one when I first moved to Toronto, the epic jerk from the summer, and now last night's Tim.  I just thought that was interesting because I don't think 'Tim' is a really common name.  (I can't be bothered to research this, so feel free to correct me.)

Unlike the previous Tim, this one wasn't a jerk at all.  That's what won me over actually -- even though I wasn't attracted to him in his profile pictures, he seemed like a really sweet guy.  I'm trying not to be the kind of superficial b*tch that passes up a chance at love because of someone's looks.  I know there has to be some attraction if a relationship is going to work.  Physical attraction isn't something you can force -- it's either there or it's not.  But I also know from experience that sometimes the more you get to know someone, the more attractive they become in your eyes.  That's the thought that led me to Snakes and Lattes last night to meet Tim, the man with the really unfortunate (and slightly lesbionic) haircut.

Here's what I already knew about Tim:  He's working on his PhD in computer programming, he was kind enough to let me reschedule our first date because of Charlie the dog being sick, and then nice enough to email me when I was dogsitting to ask about her health.  I also knew he needed a bit of a makeover.

Just remove the tape from the glasses and add Bieber's famous hair swoosh.  That's Tim.

I got to the cafe a bit early only to find out that there was a 40 minute waiting list for a table.  (This kind of makes sense when you realize that people go there for coffee and board games, and some board games are longer than others.)  The place was like a sauna and when I mentioned that to the seating host he was like "Oh I know!  We had to air out our oven after we burnt one of our vegan quiches."  I smiled and nodded knowingly, but really I was thinking, Vegan f*ing quiche?!  How?  Why??

Anyway, Tim showed up then and we left to go somewhere else. We ended up at some place with the word 'gastropub' in the title -- a word that I immediately associate with a high probability of suffering a gallbladder attack.  He ordered beer and nachos and I ordered my usual cranberry and soda.  I wasn't hungry, which was a good thing, because the nachos came piled high with toppings I don't really like.  (Olives, onions, and jalapenos, in case anyone reading this cares.)

Conversation really didn't come naturally.  I found myself asking him a lot of questions, looking for ways to keep it going.  It wasn't until the conversation moved to books and reading that he got really excited.

Let me sidetrack here for a second.  I read a lot of books, and I'm not really picky about what I'll read.  I'm a quick reader, so even if I hate the book I'll always finish it.  I also have a compulsive need to read all the books in a series, even if I don't love it.  (I'm on the 4th book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series, even though I'm kind of indifferent toward it.  Honestly, I prefer the TV adaptation, 'Game of Thrones'.)  Sometimes there's an assumption that if you read a lot you must be really into the books, like highlighting your favourite passages and writing notes in the margins.  That's never been my style.  I don't care to analyze metaphors and look for foreshadowing, and I never care so much about how an author expresses something so much as what they are expressing.  Pages and pages of descriptive prose makes me roll my eyes -- I'm looking at you Lucy Maud Montgomery...Six pages describing the f*ing cherry tree outside Anne's window and then. NOTHING. HAPPENS.

So back to Tim.  Things were a bit strained until he mentioned that he usually reads nonfiction but has recently re-read the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  I mentioned that I've read it, and then his eyes lit up and he was off on a tear.  He wanted to discuss the character development and the plot and how the story is based on other earlier stories and blah blah blah.  I really had a hard time contributing because I read them years ago, and because I didn't particularly love the books.  (The only opinion I actually have about LOTR is that Viggo Mortensen was really hot in the movies.)  This discussion took us to the end of the date -- and by 'discussion' I mostly mean tha the was talking and I was agreeing with everything.  He was careful to point out though that he's not actually the biggest LOTR fan... his ex is way more into it than him.  (Of course she is.)

On that strange note, I said goodbye outside the restaurant.  I wasn't feeling like I needed a second date so I just said it was really nice to meet him.  I didn't go for a hug, just a touch on the arm and a "take care", then I headed home.  In the end, my opinion of Tim hadn't really changed -- he's still a nice guy who needs a haircut -- but he just isn't for me.

That said, if you're into computer programming and love LOTR, let me know!  I'll totally set you up.