I'm so excited--I finally took the plunge and met someone from the internet IRL! I knew that this had to happen sometime (like, it's been so fun getting to know all these different guys from all over the world but usually you can't sustain a meaningful and committed relationship unless you meet up in person. Or, I guess, unless you are prison love writers, but I don't think I'd fare very well there for various reasons!).
My date and I agreed to meet for dinner by the big Christmas tree in that plaza in Little Tokyo (do they know it's Christmas in Japan?). In typical "me" fashion, I arrived six minutes early, so I sat down on some stairs to bide my time until sushi time.
Because this moment was so symbolic for me, I decided to commit as much as I could to memory and share it with everyone who is following my quest for love! I jotted everything down in dramatic form in case anyone wants to reenact my night with loved ones at home!
TOSGITW (me!), 29, sits on the stairs and looks down at her shoes and adjusts her sweater.
Little Drummer Guy, 30, approaches TOSGITW, stage left, parump pum pum pumming: I've been trying to get a drum thing going, but no one is here to join me.
TOSGITW: Yes, you appear to be a drum circle of one.
Enter Kevin Sorbo Lookalike, 34, on Razr Scootr*: Dude, nice drum. Are you wearing a satchel? I guess nobody's going to steal anything from you, but you look like a pussy.
TOSGITW: I like it. If someone wanted to steal from you they'd have to take it right out of your chest, like that guy from Temple of Doom that rips out people's hearts.
Kevin Sorbo, to TOSGITW: Are you 35?
Kevin Sorbo: I thought so. You look like you have a 30-year-old face. Whatever, I'm 34, it was a compliment. I think me and this other guy are both aiming for the same prize. I guarantee you you'll have a better time with me. You might as well take off, guy.
TOSGITW: I'm actually waiting for my date. He should be here any minute.
Exeunt Little Drummer Guy, not interested in serving as buffer between Sitting-Around-Girl and Hercules Circa 1994.
TOSGITW: OkCupid, actually! ROBOT DATING OF THE FUTURE!
Kevin Sorbo: OkCupid is pretty old school, actually. How long did you and this guy talk before he asked you out?
TOSGITW: A couple of weeks.
Kevin Sorbo: Jesus Christ! You've gotta be kidding me. This guy is RUINING it for guys like me.
TOSGITW: Well, he's been out of the country, so...yeah.
Kevin Sorbo: What's your name?
Kevin Sorbo: Are you a dancer?
Kevin Sorbo: I just assumed with a name like that and legs like that that you were an exotic dancer. It's not an insult. I love strippers.
TOSGITW: Nope, not a stripper. Just a nerd.
Kevin Sorbo: Oh, of course you are, honey. Because it's super fashionable to be a nerd since you're 30 and your eggs are drying up and you're looking to lock down a man.
TOSGITW: I'm actually just a garden variety nerd.
Kevin Sorbo: You're too sexy to be a nerd. You're faking it so you can get married. Don't be ashamed of it. All the women are doing that now.
TOSGITW: You're right. All of my lifelong interests and accomplishments are part of a 29-year long-con. I'm a slave to my rotting eggs.
Kevin Sorbo: Give me your number.
TOSGITW: I don't feel, like, great about that, because I'm waiting for my date, who should be here any minute?
Kevin Sorbo: Just give it to me. Your phone is in your hand so I'll know if you give me a fake. What is it?
Enter unsuspecting Date, 30, with a big smile and a hug for TOSGITW. TOSGITW bares teeth and raises eyebrows, an awkward attempt at a MAYDAY! expression.
Kevin Sorbo: THIS is the guy you're going out with? Poindexter? You've got to be kidding me. Now THAT'S a nerd.
Date: Actually, I used to be the high school quarterback.
Kevin Sorbo: I can't believe you texted her for weeks before getting together with her. You are RUINING it for guys like me.
Kevin Sorbo: You better lock it down with her, dude.
TOSGITW: Yeah, I have to get married, like, YESTERDAY, because I don't have any value as a single woman and I AM RUNNING OUT OF EGGS!
Date: I'm giving her bluterus right now.
TOSGITW: K, we're gonna eat so bye but thanks for your interest in me, it was really sweet!
Kevin Sorbo: Call me. You won't regret it, seriously.
*For those interested in dramatic reenactments, I would recommend playing some super-fast, 80s-style electric guitar riffs as Mr. Sorbo makes his entrance on the Razr.
Then, later, this happened!