Too Small of a World

It is a small world after all and we're stuck on this Disney ride for life. Damn it. 

So, I used to play dodgeball with a social league in DC. I took a break, and now I'm back. 

It's kind of awesome, I'm not going to lie. 

However, there are LOTS of people who do dodgeball, or one of their other sports they offer (volleyball and kickball).  

After reffing a game, the team headed to the bar as per usual. While sitting around, another group walks in; I happen to turn around. 

BAM! THERE HE IS! 

THE FICKLE PICKLE STRIKES AGAIN! 

I slightly panicked. I was like, "OH CRAP. TERRIFIC. JUST WHO I'D LIKE TO SEE."

I was all jittery inside and freaking out...... and for no good reason.

Then it hit me; I shouldn't be the one freaking out; HE SHOULD.

 He's the one who never called me back! 

He's the one who bailed! 

Not I!

Why was I so freaked out?! 

Anyways, I guess I'll be seeing the Fickle Pickle every Sunday around 5pm at the bar. 

Yaaaaaaaaay. 

(Insert lots of sarcasm)

WHOAH; pretty much sums it up.

I have an update. 

Yesterday, while sitting at the doctor's office, I was playing around on my phone when all of a sudden it vibrates.
I thought "That's weird. Did someone just try and call me?"

I checked back to my call log and BAM. 

Yes sir, someone sure did. 

"Tom" did. 

I KNOW. I'm as shocked as you are! 

I was quite confused and literally in SHOCK. 

I have no idea if they even called my name to go back to the exam room. 

I was literally sitting there going "WTF?!"

Anyways, he even left a VOICE MAIL. 

I KNOW! 

So I listened to it. It went like this: 

"Hey, [me]. It's "Tom" calling it's about 10 to 4:00pm on Thursday, I wanted to call you n get a hold of you and  see what you are up to and how you've been. I was hoping that we could kinda get together sometime maybe next week, grab a bite to eat or something. Sorry, I've been kinda distant so I just wanted to talk to you about it. When you get a chance, give me a call back or whatever is easiest for you. Alright, talk to you later."

I was stunned. I didn't know what to think and I don't know what to think, still. 

Here'e my problem; guys seem to always do this to me. 

They disappear and then POOF, they come crawling back for more. 

I'm not sure what it is. I've been told I do this sexy lip thing. Maybe its my curvaceous bod. Maybe its my wit and charm. Maybe because I'm just down right awesome. Yea, I'm thinking what you're thinking; it's all of that. (Insert Sarcasm)

Anyways, after confiding in my closest male cohorts, as well as one married chick and one single chick, I decided to do this; call him back. Why? Simply because of curiosity. 

I want to hear what he has to say. I had already moved on from him and accepted the fact that he's just not that into me. I grieved, I wept some, and I ate junk food. All over a guy I saw for a few weeks. Yea, imagine what happens when I go through a break up; not pretty. (Are any break ups ever?) 

So, I finally got around to calling him back. I was prepared to listen and then speak my little mind that this behavior has been crap and I am not a happy camper about it. 

I got his voice mail.

I left a short message saying that it was me, what time, just returning his call, and to give me a call back whenever. Simple and short. Boom. 

About 30 min later, I was standing in the kitchen mixing lemonade and Fire Fly (hey, it was Thursday evening, don't judge) and had the UNC-VT game on. I thought to myself "Hmm, if he calls, would I be able to hear my phone over the tv?" The answer was no, or at least not in time. 

By the time I realized my phone was ringing, I had Fire Fly in hand which I finished pouring (priorities) and then darted across the living room to turn down the TV, which I FOR WHATEVER REASON couldn't turn it down because remotes are my kryptonite. By the time I grabbed my phone, I had missed the call. 

So, I immediately called right back. 

OF COURSE, he doesn't answer. 

Side note: why does this always happen? I think this is one of my top 5 pet peeves, when you call someone, miss it, call right back, and they don't answer. UM, WHY? 

Moving on..... He didn't leave another voice mail and neither did I. About 10 minutes later I decided to just send a quick text, because I was flustered and confused. No response back. 

I'm not surprised because he wakes up at 4:45am every morning and as a result goes to bed around 8ish. 

So for now, I'll wait and see what happens next. 

I'm curious as to what the outcome will be and if he'll get back in touch. 

And also, what he has to say for himself.

Another funny note; one of the sites does "Picks of the day" and I had two VERY INTERESTING picks. 

First up, the ginger. So, during homecoming weekend, I met this Ginger (redhead, for all of you who don't know the term) through friends and we made out a lot that night and ended up falling asleep on the hotel floor together. Next morning was awkward, to say in the least, but we're Facebook friends, so if he really wanted to get in touch with me again, he knows how. Anyways, a few weeks ago, I noticed he viewed my profile on the online dating website. When I logged in last night, BOOM, there he was. MY PICK OF THE DAY. This site really thinks we'd hit it off. Little does it know that we already did. 

Anyways, now he can see that I viewed him, again. Awkward. 

Second, one of my close guy friends was also a pick, yesterday. I sent him a text letting him know that he was one of my picks of the day. He texted back saying that I should click yes. I said I had already clicked no, but thought about clicking yes. In return, I "winked" at him instead. This is all out of fun. 

I'm not interested in him and I think the feeling is mutual. 

We're good friends and that's where it will stay. 

So, yesterday was eventful in terms of dudes. Almost tidal-wave-esque, you could say. 

"Mike 1" the Fickle Pickle strikes once more

One last time... I promise.

Seriously, I promise.

So after he had texted me indicating he was back in town, and after I foolishly responded back a week later, he told me he was heading out of town, AGAIN. I didn't respond, mostly because I was swamped at work and didn't care about some lame ass who texted me every couple weeks.

He ended up friending me on Facebook after not speaking for a while and we hadn't seen each other in over a month. I took about a week to really think this one through. I thought "What does this guy want from me?! I hate playing this game of toss back and forth the fickle pickle! This barrel has had enough!"

So I accepted his request and went on vacation.

Yea yea yea, I'm an idiot. I was definitely hook, line and sinker for this guy. No, I don't know why either.

It was one inebriated evening that I finally had enough in me to message him. We went back and forth a few times and the texts were about the same as before; kind of ok but clearly not really putting forth any effort. It wasn't until I was back from vacation and he was back from training that more communication came about. He had asked earlier one week if I were free any evening; I replied that I was busy moving to a different apartment and wasn't sure what my schedule would be like. Ha. I'm busy and you can't get to me. Suck it, you fickle pickle.

He was persistent this time. He messaged me a few times and on Friday evening asked to get drinks to celebrate the new apartment and before he went out of town for two weeks for more training. I gave him the answer he gave me, "I'm going to have to say tentatively yes."

HA-HA, SUCKA!!! It felt really good to treat him the way he treated me. I'm not sure as to why I was sinking down to his level, but I have experienced so many fickle pickles in my life that it was time for revenge, served cold. I said I'd keep him posted through out the day on Saturday.

Saturday afternoon rolled around and some friends and I were going to go out that evening. I decided to invite him. Not sure what I was thinking, but whichever guy was going to date me, he's going to have to meet my friends at one point or another, so why not tonight. He accepted the invitation to go out with my friends and I that night. I was shocked. I gave him the details about when and where we were going to meet up and he said he'd be there. I still didn't really believe it, so I just went about my evening as if he wasn't going to show at all.

I met up with my friends, most of which are dudes and that made me nervous in an instant. I realized what I had done. I invited this guy who I was interested in to come meet 6 of my close guy friends. What was I thinking "Me, my date, and 6 dudes. How could this go well?" One of my friends asked who my plus one was that evening, which I then let them know that I invited someone "special," out that evening. I got what I expected; the oooos and heeeeys and the eagerness to embarrass me as much as possible.

However, he still had to show up in order for any embarrassment to occur. I hadn't heard from him and it was closing in on 40 minutes after he said he would be there. All of a sudden I did receive a text from him saying he had arrived. I was extremely shocked that he came at all, especially given that I was there with my friends. I met up with him and walked over to where we had all been standing. After finally introducing him to everyone, we began to catch up. I was pretty nervous because I wasn't sure how to act. I was still a little bitter about the way he had treated me before but excited that he decided to come out and see me. Conversation went all right and overall the evening was a success. My friends behaved, as far as I know, and he and I seem to hit it off once again.

We split a cab back to my place where we decided to watch another movie. Kind of the same deal as before; I actually wanted to watch a movie and he really didn't want to but rather make out. There were some more awkward attempts at trying to sneak in a kiss during the movie, but something about Madagascar 2 really had my attention. Those penguins are just so darn funny!

After the movie was over, we turned on regular TV and made out some. It was starting to get late and I eventually told him that I did not want him to spend the evening; didn't want to rush anything. And boy was I glad I did. He said that was fine and I walked him out. He headed home which was about 3 blocks from my new place, so not too far. I sent him a text the next day saying I had a fun evening and to let me know when he was back in town after his training. He replied saying he had fun too and would let me know.

It's been almost two weeks and I haven't heard from him since that Sunday morning. However, the funny thing is about one of these sites is that you can see when an individual logged in last. He's logged in every day to this site since I last heard from him. I feel as that if a guy who is REALLY, GENUINELY interested in me is not going to ignore me for two weeks and look at a bunch of other girls' profiles. It is QUITE clear to me that he is only interested in ONE thing and doesn't have any intention of dating me/having a relationship.

This little fishy is letting go of that hook, that line, and that sinker.

Just keep swimming.

"Mike 1," aka the Fickle Pickle, returns

Yes, "Mike 1" made another appearance. He sent me a text in the beginning of July, letting me know he was back in town after being out of the country for a bit.

I really didn't care and ignored it.

Well, I ignored it for a week. There might have been some, um, libations, that got me to respond a week later. But I replied with saying how busy I was and that's why there was a delayed response. I thought "I'm so cool showing him that I am so busy with my life that I can't even get back to him in a timely manner. It's what he did to me anyways."

No, I don't know what I was thinking either. There are some guys you just can't shake. "Mike 1" was turning into one of them.

"Mike 1"

Next: "Mike" 1. Yes, 1. There are more "Mikes." Apparently "Mike" is a popular name. And those of you who know me, I really recycle names. A little too frequently, also.

"Mike 1" messaged me first and we went back and forth just a few times till he asked me to grab drinks. Smart guy, engineer, military, lived close by, laid back. I liked that he asked to get drinks right away because one thing I've learned that after about 5-6 messages each, it gets old real fast. We met up and had a pretty great time! We talked about everything and he was great at holding a conversation; something that not all guys, especially those of which you meet online, are great at doing. Before we parted ways, he mentioned about getting together for a second date! I was like "CHA-CHING! We got one!" I left and walked home ecstatic that I finally met a decent guy after messaging with SEVERAL for the past few weeks.

We kept in touch over the weekend, random texts here and there. We decided to meet the following week, again for drinks. Overall, I really liked this guy, but he was still a little shady with his communication, or lack there of. He would do some half ass responses, or not get back to me several DAYS later. I thought it was a little odd, but that's just how I roll; I expect a decent, timely response, it's the least a person can do after a date.

We met up late one Thursday evening; he suggested a meeting time of 9pm. I thought 9 was a little late, but I decided that I had nothing better to do and I'd just go with it. We hit it off again, but I felt as if this guy was seriously lacking in the dating experience department. Every line seemed to be forced and he came off as if he was just trying to get to "one thing," if you know what I mean. He invited me back to his apartment to watch a movie "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." I LOVE a good cartoon, with Finding Nemo being a personal fave, and decided, sure, WHY NOT?! I'll go hang out. I thought it to be a little soon to invite someone back to an apartment, but once again, I just went with the flow.


Inexperienced, indeed. There was first the awkward seating arrangement on the couch. Do I lean in? Do I just sit here comfortably? Do I lay down? No, no laying down; that's insinuating too much. Eventually we get settled and watched the movie. Now, like I said, I like a good cartoon. So I actually wanted to WATCH the movie. Apparently he had other plans. There were some... attempts... to sneak in a kiss, but really, I just wanted to watch the movie. That's why we came back in the first place... right? Besides, he can work for it. I'm not that thick in the head; I knew what "come over to my apartment to watch a movie" meant. However, I REALLY wanted to watch this movie. We managed to get through the whole movie, actually watching it, and it's one I highly recommend, for the record.

Then we made out. It was awkward. But he did just sit there for 90 minutes with me under his arm. Kinda owed it to him. And I wanted to make out, also. It's fun and it had been a while. Moving on....

It was like kissing in middle/high school; it's your first time, or first few times, and you're not quite sure what to do, but you just go with it and hope it figures itself out. But I actually knew what I was doing (well, at least I think I do, I suppose that's subjective) and felt like it was not reciprocated. There was a lot of trying to get one person to lean this way... but someone wanted to lean that way.... and after a few awkward positions, we finally settled on one that worked for the mean time.

After what seemed like an hour, but was probably more like 20 minutes, he suggested me spending the night. HA. He said we didn't "have to DO anything," and that he just wanted to "cuddle." What grown ass man wants to just cuddle after a 2nd date? Seriously. I'm blonde but I'm not dumb. Well, not THAT dumb.

Plus I had work in the morning, and doing a walk of shame at 8am on a Friday during rush hour on the metro sounded like a terrible idea. And I always run into SOMEONE I know.

We parted ways and agreed to meet up again the following week on Wednesday. Kept in touch some over the weekend, but there were days that passed in between texts. I'm thinking "If a guy is really into me, he'd be making more effort than this." I know we all have lives, but it takes all but 2 minutes to send a courteous text saying "Hope you are having a great week!"

A few days pass, and I finally sucked it up and texted him asking if we were still on for Wednesday.

Wednesday: "I don't think I can go out tonight... stressing too much about stuff/trying to get it done."

Conveniently, I got sick, again (bad cold)and couldn't go out. I asked if he wanted to meet up that weekend by chance. His response "Going to have to be a tentative yes."

Tentative? ....... yea, ok.

A week and a half later.... I finally get a message from him. At 10pm at night. Which he mentions that he's heading home from a Happy Hour. You're trying to tell me that the only time you have to get in touch with me is when you are leaving and heading home after an evening of drinking? ..... ok.
I never responded.

3 weeks later I heard from him again.... but that takes us into July, in which I'll save for later.