I Gotta Be Me

Friday night, I saw No Country for Old Men with Marla. I highly, highly, highly recommend it if you like to be scared shitless. If you don't, you should still see it. Saturday, I had tentative plans with Zibi to hang out at a Polish watering hole and hear a band, but at about 5:00 Drinking Buddy knocked on my door and asked if I wanted to go to Nick's.

I will always go to Nick's.

Drinking Buddy introduced me to an independent filmmaker that he knew and the shot glasses came out before we were done with our first round. I mentioned seeing No Country for Old Men with Marla and Drinking Buddy said,

"Of the girls you've been dating, she's the one I like. She seems very....respectful."

Respectful is probably the highest praise Drinking Buddy will give to a woman. I let it sink in, and we continued to do shots. At about 8:30, I stumbled out the door intending to grab a Maxwell Street Polish. Next thing I knew I was in my bed and it was 3:00.

I had slept past my saturday night! Damn you, Drinking Buddy! Damn you for my lost hours and for my excruciating hangover!

My morning run dispelled most of my hangover and the two bloody marys I enjoyed over brunch took care of the remainder. I spent the rest of the day doing laundry and watching football. At 6:00, Urban Melissa sent me a text asking if I was up for going bowling. I answered, sure. It had been a few years since I had held a bowling ball. She responded with the venue and asked me to bring one of my lady friends, as she was afraid she might be the only female in the group. I asked Marla.

We met up at Diversey Rock and Bowl, where ironical slumming and full-on kitsch appreciation meet head on and it's impossible to tell where one ends and the other begins. Urban Melissa arrived with her boyfriend and a friend of his and introductions were made. Marla went to the Ladies' room and Urban Melissa grabbed my arm.

"David, she's a keeper! I like her better than any of your women! We should do more things together with her!"

This was about ten minutes after they had met.

That my two most discriminating friends (by discriminating I mean not liking the girls I date) like Marla speaks very well in her favor. I like Marla too. However, I also enjoy being a single guy and playing the field. I'm not going to get into a serious relationship based on what my friends would have me do and I'm not ready to stop seeing other women. The moment may come but right now, I'm having fun.