I don’t watch a whole lot of TV these days. But there was a time when it was an important way for me to learn about the world, to disconnect from the chaos going on around me and enter into a story that, while not as satisfying as a book, was at least more visual.

For instance, from Captain Kirk, I learned that barrel-chested men will come to your rescue if you wear a really short skirt and your face is green

.

From Captain Gregg (of “Ghost and Mrs. Muir” fame) I learned that men can be strong and romantic and completely

befuddled by the unpredictability of women. And that true love sometimes can’t be physically consummated, but is true love, nevertheless.

From Nanny and the Professor I learned that really really smart men (professors) most often need a woman to take care of all the befuddling things in his life…like children and coffee pots and such. The world at that time considered them “silly creatures” and not really be expected to do well in the much more serious realms of business or academia. At least not in large numbers. But it’s perfectly OK and even preferred if they are smarter and more effective in the domestic world. And really what they do, they do almost magically.

I think a lot of that cultural attitude has changed (at least I hope so) and that it would be an impossible sell for a show like that today. But we have our equivalents. Where “dad” is the bumbling idiot and “mom” gets it all done. “Everybody Loves Raymond” comes to mind, first. Probably a lot of other situation comedies that I don’t watch, too.
All this has nothing directly to do with what I’ve learned about The Professor. I don’t think. Except…

The Professor that I met through match.com is a little like that professor in the show. He’s a little scattered, a little unaware of popular culture; not in a completely socially inept creepy way, but a little. It sounds like domestic “arts” are beyond him (the story he told about cleaning his refridgerator was kind of scary. And reminded me of Abbagirl’s experience with moving into her new place.) His child seems a bit befuddling to him. He’s dedicated to his son, but doesn’t express much clearly about his son’s character. For instance, he say’s his 14 year old is just now developing “morals.” My God! If that were truly the case, I’d be showing a lot more concern than he does when he says it.

Well, anyway, the Professor and I went out again last night. We went to see “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Then we went to Border’s and had tea. He picked up a book by Kozol and we chatted for about an hour before Border’s threw us out into the cold night, we got into our respective cars and went home.

Those are the facts. As you know, in life and especially in dating, the facts don’t tell the whole story.

The best way I can describe the Professor is that I think he’s a little twitchy. AH listened to a voice mail and called it “over eager.” Not in a weirdo, psycopathic way, but in a nervous “help me, I’m talking and can’t stop” sort of way.

We have a lot in common. He’s fun to talk with, carries his weight (and maybe a bit more) in a conversation. We like the same movies, books, close enough in politics. We seem to have matching energy levels. He certainly can talk for long periods of time. We’ve had several phone conversations that went over an hour. But at the end, I’m not sure there was much self-disclosure on either side.

He held my hand during the movie. It was very sweet. He kissed my fingers at times, which I found surprisingly, um, nice; but also a little too intimate for a 3rd date. And a little out of place given the content of the movie. I mean, I really don’t get turned on during a movie that shows the brutality and sadistic nature of fascists. Maybe that’s just me.

The thing was, he never just sat still and watched the movie. He was always playing with my fingers, or the sleeve of my sweater, or my bracelet or patting my arm. Or he was talking. I’ve learned that I really really hate it when someone talks out loud at the movies. Whispering is one thing, but this was voiced. Soft, but voiced. And it really bugged me.

He kissed me good-night before I got in the car. It was a nice kiss. Not overly twitchy or forward. If it hadn’t been -400 wind chill, it would have been nice enough to try a few more. But it was cold as hell out there, so it was just a couple. Enough to find out that it wasn’t horrible.

Nice, but no shot of electricity through my core.

So, I’m left not knowing exactly what to do. Our time together has been nice. I think there’s potential for “chemistry” but it hasn’t been immediate. I’m just not sure.

Bah! I guess I’m going to chalk this up to “thinking too much” and if he asks me out again, go. I’m just out there to have fun. Not start a big sexual or long-term relationship. So a little company at the theater or the gallery is a good thing, right?

— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

Some days are just too full 2009
Blogging the Super Bowl half-time show 2008
uh, I’m curious 2008
Spam Surge 2007

February 3rd, 2007 | Category: dating | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL