OkCupid :: I went on Dates!! Suitor #5 : Nathan

Name: Nathan

Age: 26

Job: Video production things.

Location: Williamsburg

Compatibility Rating: 91% match, 89% friend, 1% enemy

What Caught My Attention: He photographed in a way similar to a pseudo ex-boyfriend of mine.. not super flattering, but in a way that you can still tell that he is good looking.  He also had a cute, understated style, ++ a picture of him by the sea.  I do sometimes think I was meant for a life at sea.

# of Dates: 3

What We Did: I should preface this by saying that on his profile, under the section that says "The 6 things I could never do without", he lists "tits+asses" as 2 of them.  Accordingly, this is how our first OkC conversation went...

He then convinced me to meet him in the next 20 minutes at this random dumpling place in LES/Chinatown, as he just so happened to be taking pictures in that area & discovered I live close by.  I told him I had dinner plans with a friend very soon (which I did), yet somehow he convinced me to come, anyway.  What can I say, it seemed like an adventure, && I had to commend him for his spontaneity.  

I went, met him on the corner, entered the dumpling place && we chatted while he waited for his food (again, I had dinner plans).  He sheepishly agreed to show me some of the pictures he took that day, which I found endearing because he didn't want to expand too much on it.  Anyway, we sat down to his food & he insisted upon sharing some dumpling and tea with me.  I figured it would be rude not to have at least a little bit, so I did.  

We then walked over to the park nearby and watched some random soccer game going on, which made me nostalgic for my soccer days.  I decided we were cheering for the maroon team because they had the best colour.  That is usually how I align myself with the majority of sports teams.

He then walked me towards the direction in which I was headed to meet my friend for dinner && we had our goodbyes.  Oh, did I mention that we kissed?  Yeah, that happened.

Grade: A

We went on 2 more dates after that, which were great, but then I had to leave for Chicago (where I am now for the Summer).  Hopefully I will keep seeing him when I return to NYC... if he doesn't kill me for blogging about our date, first.

OkCupid :: I went on Dates!! Suitor #4 : Alex

Name: Alex

Age: 21

Job: Undergrad Student @ NYU studying hip hop and racial identity formation. Also writes music reviews for Time Out New York.

Location: Greenpoint

Compatibility Rating: 88% match, 83% friend, 8% enemy

What Caught My Attention: He was a friend of my friend, Nassim.  After perusing the site with her, she mentioned she got her friend (Alex) to join.  We had a high compatibility rating && he likes hip-hop.  So I figured, why not?

# of Dates: 1

What We Did: We went to 16 Handles where I got my usual concoction of fruity/tangy goodness: Mango & EuroTart fro-yo, blueberries, strawberries, mochi, lychee && gummy bears.  Makes sense, no?  He, on the other, hand got Kiwi Strawberry fro-yo with sprinkles/sweet things on top.. did not make sense to me.  It looked a little something like this..

We kept talking and he was very nice, but it was apparent to me upon meeting him that I was not physically attracted.  Nevertheless, he was Nassim's friend and seemed super nice, so we walked over to the dog park at Tompkins Square Park, sat, and ate our fro-yo.  I inquired about his major and he humoured me w/ some fun music talk.  He described the "hyphy" movement to me, in which he is particularly interested & writing a book.  I kind of loved it, even though I only recognized one artist he mentioned.. E-40 (I have his song, White Gurl on my iTunes.  I HIGHLY recommend everyone download it).

Besides that, we just kind of watched the doggies & talked about how he knows Nassim, etc, because we did not have much more in common besides the fact that we are both in school and pretty passionate about certain things.  Vague, no? That's kind of how the whole date was. 

Grade: C

I couldn't get over the no-physical attraction thing.  Plus, he really seemed even more gay looking in person.  Not that I don't love me my gays, but I'm looking to fall in love, here.  That is an issue.  He also seemed to be a bit square outside his love for music.  For example, even though he lived in the East Village for a summer prior to our date, he still didn't know his way back to the subway.  Issue.

OkCupid :: I'm Converting Everyone

Slowly but surely I am making all my friends join the site.

This is Nassim.  I swear we get along better than this.  If you are looking to date her, you can find her at Bobst.  That is where I have run into her 3 days this week.  She's a study-er.  But also a lady, so you best be payin' for her fancy sushi dinner.  Ya heard?

This is Hillary.  She hasn't answered any questions yet, otherwise our compatibility ratings would probably be fabulous.  If you are looking to date her you should probably adopt 1940's movie star good looks and/or become some sort of sailor man.  She can be found drinking 4Lokos at your local skate park in a mini skirt, bikini top, and combat boots.  Just kidding.  That was one time. But I wouldn't put it past her again..

This is Helga G. Petaki.  She wants to fall in love, too.  She is not yet on OkCupid, but I have hope that I can convert her soon.

That is all.

OkCupid :: I went on Dates!! Suitor #3 : Nat

Name: Nat

Age: 26

Job: Photographer

Location: Bushwick

Compatibility Rating: 73% match, 76% friend, 26% enemy

What Caught My Attention: He's a photographer;  I tend to get along with them. Also, his snarky, yet self-deprecating humour.

# of Dates: 1

What We Did: Went to Pinkberry on St. Marks and got some fro-yo.  Our energies immediately matched, and like a man, he paid 4 my Pinkberry.  All men should always pay for Pinkberry.  Drinks/dinner, not so much.. just worry about my Pinkberry.  Anyway, he tells me he does photography of more landscape-y things in the form of buildings/architecture.. lived in Nevada for a while for a job.  He also mentioned a band he use to be in and how they played with Gaga back in the day when she was doing Norah Jones covers.. interesting enough, but was hoping for a more fashion-y/lifestyle photag.  He's quite witty and perfectly nice.  We spoke of his distaste for street artist, Dick Chicken, that took over his neighborhood/all of NYC last summer.  Mentioned how he hated having giant penises everywhere.  I informed him I use to live in Chelsea and am quite use to that.  He then informed ME that I actually am the one with a big penis.  I thought this was awesome and proceeded to die because that is definitely the best thing anyone could say on a first date.  

Enjoyed my time hanging outside Pinkberry laffing and eating the mochi/fruity bears/pineapple off my Pinkbears. I was much slower to eat mine (probably because I chat too much.. I've learned I'm a chatter) and we hung til I was done.  After, we both went our separate ways.  No #'s exchanged, but enjoyable experience overall.

Grade: B

I don't think I'd want to go on another date with him unless he proposed something really fun/easy.  Loved that he had great energy, but it was a bit too Yuppie for me rather than chill.  If anything he would be a totally awesome friend because our of fabulous banter, but I don't know where our paths would cross in the future. Not much common ground.

PS. On a sidenote, please listen to the entire Pinkberry song on their website.  GENIUS. I will be DJing this once I start learning how to DJ.. again, NO STEALING THAT IDEA!!!!

OkCupid :: I went on Dates!! Suitor #2 : Dan

Name: Dan

Age: 24

Job: Currently works 60+ hours/wk delivering for a catering company while also doing stand up comedy things on the side

Location: Alphabet City

Compatibility Rating: 82% match, 76% friend, 16% enemy

What Caught my Attention: He proposed actual fun sounding dates.  && the comedy thing.

# of Dates: 1

What We Did: We went to Barcade in Brooklyn.  I was very excited.. mostly to play Pacman, even though that game gives me major anxiety.  Sadly we had to go on a Friday (sadly because I try to avoid going out out on weekends just because it is so absurdly crowded everywhere, even the streets).  So yes, it was a Friday and quite absurdly crowded over at Barcade.  Nonetheless we had some drinks and he informed me he had a roll of quarters with him for some video game action.  Yes a bit premeditated, but still kind of awesome, anyway.  Played a whole buncha things: Magic Marbles, some kind of inner tube thing on a river, some game where you can murder a lot of people (that was my idea, and it was actually pretty awesome) and then PACMAN!!!!!!!

OkCupid Date w/ Dan @ Barcade from OohSparkles on Vimeo.

This video doesn't do him justice.  He was actally really good.  Gave me a run for my money considering I have that joystick thing you plug into any TV and play.

Grade: C

He was very nice, and seemed quite interested, but in the nicest way possible, was a bit too dull.  I think he is still one of those cute boys next door in Jersey.. great for some nice young girl next door in Pennsylvania or something like that.  He tried to coordinate a second date both during the date and quasi the next week.  I vaguely agreed during the date and then didn't respond to his texts after.  I know it sounds mean, but that is a normal thing, right?  I think we call this the phase out (even though it was after only 1 date) or perhaps just plain old ignoring.  Either way, he was not for me.