I spent a fine day with my friend, Kelly, yesterday. She came to visit me and my new dog. After Kelly left in the evening , I ventured into the village, Lucy the dog at my side. Spending the day with Kelly left me in good frame and such a mood is never to be wasted, especially when a dog is available for some night Game.
The village was jumping. Well, as much as the village can jump. There were lots of folks about and the girlies were all dressed up. One of the local streets was blocked off so that a duo could play some Beatles cover tunes. I was walking around quite a lot, getting a sense of the scene. Lucy, of course, was getting lots of attention. Dogs and Game are quite the natural partnership.
I eventually found my place on the standard bench where I often – but not last night – meet up with the older fellows. The bench is perfect for Game. Lucy was at my side and pretty much everyone was noticing her. She wasn’t even wearing her sunglasses. I figured it was 9PM or so.
“That’s a cute dog you have.” It’s like fishing with the best bait in the world. A slender (SLENDER!) and attractive blond woman of my age was asking the question. She and her dog were just walking by.
Did I mention that the woman was slender?
“This is Lucy. She’s just a mutt I got from an ex-girlfriend.”
I could have launched into the totally fabricated story that Lucy is a “Mendozan Terrier” bred to kill the long-haired vineyard rat which is a serious problem for Argentinian vintners. I simply told the truth to the slender (you got that she’s slender, right?) women.
This woman, Vivian, had her own dog in tow. It was a medium-sized dog, short hair, and rather mellow. Lucy had no problem with this new dog. I am extremely careful with Lucy when she meets a new dog. Lucy and the new dog, Rocky, seemed to get along well. There was no barking or even the hint of aggression from Lucy. That’s a very good sign.
I chatted with Vivian for a bit. I ran a bit of Game towards the end of the conversation.
She asked, “I’m going to check out the music. Are you going up there?” The music was only about 100 feet away. This was her attempt to get me interested.
“I might later, I’m just going to sit here with Lucy for a bit.” No is the most powerful word in a man’s vocabulary. If I had jumped up and accompanied Vivian, I would have established myself as beta and the evening would have ended with a peck on the cheek and a vague promise of meeting up later. Make ‘em wait is my strategy.
Some time goes by. I walked around some. I ran into some friends and had a chat. I then headed over to the music and sure enough, I spied Vivian and her dog up close to the modest stage. Without any hesitation, I walked up, Lucy walking with me and threading herself around the many folks enjoying the music. Lucy is extremely well trained and for this, I give great thanks to my ex-girlfriend.
Vivian was very glad to see me. Hell, she was almost giddy. I played it cool. I even played it cool when Vivian insisted on dancing. Damn, dancing.
Sidebar – I have a very, very strict rule about dancing. I’ve even posted my rule over at Haley’s Halo: If the partners aren’t touching in a choreographed way, it’s not dancing and I ain’t doing it. This is my rule and I never, ever break it.
Thankfully, the music had a steady beat and I used some basic merengue moves – real hip movement and some spins. I had my hand around her waist and was holding her hands as I moved. That impressed the hell out of Vivian. Several times she asked if I taken dancing lessons. I actually did take some classes many years ago and it also helped that I was involved with a Venezuelan woman who could do some seriously cool Latin dancing.
The duo on stage wrapped it up. It was time to get all whiteboykrispy and get ‘er done. At some point during our dancing and conversation (the music was actually not too loud) I mentioned that I had a motorcycle. Vivian was under the impression that I took Lucy to the village on my bike. Of course, I didn’t mention that I lived but a three minute walk away. Did I mention that Vivian was slender? No, seriously, fucking slender. I told her that we were going to check out my motorcycle. I didn’t ask. Game, tight, on.
I collected Lucy (her lead was affixed to a chair and I was keeping a very careful eye on her while dancing with Vivian) and Vivian collected Rocky. We crossed the busy street and walked on, Vivian thinking she’s simply going to check out my motorcycle.
We turn right onto my street and two things happened. First, Vivian takes Rocky off lead. Not cool in my book. Second, I notice that Rocky has a very serious limp. Her dog’s right hip was seriously messed up. This troubled me.
“Why is Rocky walking with such a bad limp?”
“Oh, he’s got a hip condition.” Hey lady, ever heard of a vet?
“Is it serious and how long has he had it?” I was actually very concerned at this point.
“He’s had it about three months and it doesn’t seem to bother him.” Look, I’m not a dog person per se, but seeing Rocky attempting to run after us was pathetic. Lucy, of course, was still on lead and right by my left ankle like a magnet. Good Lucy.
My motorcycle was parked right outside the apartment building and Vivian was complimentary. She uttered the usual stuff that women say when looking at a colorful motorcycle and thinking that it’s a crotch rocket. It’s not such a bike but who am I to disabuse her notions when I’m running some good Game?
“Why is it parked here?” A good question she asked.
“I live here. Let’s go inside” I lead Lucy towards my door, Vivian and her dog came along without hesitation. Game rule: don’t ask, tell. Did I mention that Vivian was slender? OK, I’ll stop with that now.
Inside, the vibe was nicely relaxed. Vivian and I were on the sofa. Lucy was beside me and Rocky was checking out my place. Lucy was tense and I felt it. Bringing a new dog into my place was not a good move on my part, I admit this.
Vivian complimented my place and me.
“You’re a really cool guy and I like your place.” Can we say pre-selection?
We chatted a bit more. I didn’t make any kind of move. I just didn’t feel that Lucy was going to let this happen. Fortunately, Vivian and I had already exchanged emails because my new dog started growling at Vivian’s dog. Lucy’s growling escalated quickly and became barking and snarling. I grabbed her and held her tightly. It was time for Vivian and her dog to go and I told her that directly and without apologies. Lucy is not to be trifled with.
Vivian and her dog departed politely. Lucy had cockblocked me. I didn’t feel badly about that. Lucy is my dog now and I must consider her needs and personality. So, what about Vivian? Let’s review the texts from last night and this morning.
11:08PM Me: Sorry about Lucy. Let’s you and me have ice cream.
11:10PM Her: I’m driving home now, soon!
11:11PM Her: U r a real nice person [hmmm, "nice", that's trouble]
11:14PM Me: My dog is usually too… It’s a territorial thing
11:26PM Her: No problemo, U r cool.
I didn’t respond to that. No point if I am running good text Game.
Fast forward to this morning…
11:08AM Me: Are you cool, too?
11:11AM Her: Super cool!
11:15AM Me: I expect nothing less. Ice cream, later today.
11:18AM Her: Working now, will call soon. lol.
11:50 Me: Better hurry, my dog gets impatient.
I am quite sure that Vivian will call soon.
Did I mention that Vivian is slender?
wingman
/ July 10, 2011Great story. So many strong elements there – you got your sites, your frames, good bounces, and awesome transition to the abode. No worries about the pooch. On balance it ‘ll work out in your favor. Bringing back 2 dogs made it particularly hard (unless of course the pooches fell into immediate doggie-style love, which would suggest the owners do same).
Other than the dog story, what strikes me is the importance of logistics and transition. In your case, all very smooth. Game is great, but falls flat if you can’t easily move to the next level. For many of us out there, logistics is the biggest barrier.
theprivateman
/ July 10, 2011I am blessed with excellent logistics being so close to the village. I call it walking Game. As for Vivian… she did indeed call back. I learned that she has a 13 year old daughter.
But Surfer Woman is getting all itchy about me being her “steady”.
Ah, logistics. This is indeed a huge issue for guys of a certain age. So many guys have to deal with long commutes, kids, etc. Under such circumstances, classic Game simply can’t work.
whiteboykrispy
/ July 10, 2011Thanks for the head nod, going for the SNL is always the best way to go in my book.
Your post has only further strengthened my resolve to get a dog once I get my once place. I’m thinking pit bull or doberman, maybe German shepherd.
Looks like you’ve got this chick in the bag, and hey how about that, a slender one to boot.
Jason
/ July 11, 2011Ya good post.
What do you ride man, out of curiosity?
theprivateman
/ July 11, 2011Suzuki V-Strom 650.
It’s a 2004 model and I got it new back then.
I’ve got 105,000 miles on it. Yes, over 100K miles on a motorcycle.
Jason
/ July 11, 2011Nice. I’m not one of those people that thinks that’s inconceivable.
When I have a bike, I’m an all year rider when weather permits. Here in England I should be able to ride all but a month a year or so.
Richard
/ November 27, 2011My biggest cockblocker is my own relatives (especially my mother). Sometimes they intentionally get between me and a woman I am looking at when out in public (it’s insane). So now I avoid as much as possible going anywhere with my relatives. Pets can be great conversation pieces and I will get some type of pets eventually.