First Impressions, Second Chances, Third Wheels

First a little house keeping before I get to the "real" blog post.

~ My dog destroyed the blinds this morning while I was in the shower. I have no idea how. She somehow managed to snap a plastic bar affixed to the window 6 inches from the celling and then drag the blinds to the middle of the room. I imagine she saw something outside, got tangled, flailed, panicked, and destruction ensued. Dumb dog.
~ Work is going well. I really really like my new supervisor. Someone recently pointed out that he looks a LOT like the Canadian... That might explain why I feel so comfortable with him. I think we'll be good friends.
~ I might apply for an opening at work. It would pay slightly more and be a lot more work but at least I could sit at the "big kid table" and be faculty instead of staff.
~ I recently volunteered to be on the advisory committee to create a GLBT studies minor. It will be an insane amount of work but it will be great experience.
~ I had a cute little Sunday Easter brunch at my place today. It's the first time I actually entertained at my current apartment. It was a tad crowded but it worked. I got to finally use my 1950's pink and blue dishes. The food seemed to be a big hit.
~ My car is all better now. I picked it up last Friday and it looks good as new. There is a tiny 1/4 inch gap between the hood and the fender but it's not noticeable unless you REALLY look. The paint matching is perfect and the work looks good.

And now to the "real" blog.

What is more important, trusting your first impression or really getting to know someone? For that matter... is it better to hold out for assumed "perfection" when you might not ever get it or to give someone a chance when they might not initially seem ideal?

The last time I saw the Mysterious Stranger things had an odd feeling of finality. He made a couple of little subtle comments that seemed to indicate that once he moved then that was it. No mas. It was actually a really eye opening conversation that I've been mulling over in my head all week. We were sitting outside enjoying our drinks when a professor that I really respect walked by with her dog. He wouldn't touch the dog and that worried me. Then once they left he kind of trash talked the dog. Then I brought up my less well behaved although prettier dog and the fact that he had never met her. That's when he said something about having a week to do that, as if once he moves he has no plans of ever coming back, visiting me, or inviting me and my dog to his place. I could never imagine my dog at his house. He has $5000 rugs and paintings that cost more than my car. I love and respect beautiful things but in the end he's just a little too fussy for me. He's certainly someone I want in my life but I'm not sure in what way. He seems great on paper, I'm attracted to him, he seems to have his act together, but I really think he's running scared and terrified to let anyone in. I'm not sure I'm strong enough to break down his walls or if I even want to try.

Last week I also had dinner with the Czech. He's been inviting me to his apartment for dinner pretty much since we met. The MS told me he's an amazing cook and a compliment from him really means something. I had been putting off being alone with the Czech from the beginning. The first time we met was awkward and forced and uncomfortable and I really couldn't have gotten away any faster. I know he's friends with and has a crush on the MS so that added an extra layer of weirdness. I decided from the first moment I encountered him to safely place him in the "friend" category to try to shelter myself from some confusion. So... keeping things in public places and simple seemed to be the best idea. He picked up on the fact that I was avoiding being alone with him and sent me this odd email asking if I was afraid he would harm me or something. I felt bad and agreed to be a gracious guest if he wanted to cook for me. I walked to his apartment and was pleasantly surprised. He cooked risotto for me with shrimp and asparagus. It was probably the best risotto I've ever had and everything was perfectly cooked. We started with this chopped salad of colorful vegetables dressed very simply with salt, pepper, and olive oil. And then for desert... tiramisu. I LOVE tiramisu! I should mention that he made the tiramisu 3 days before when he asked me to dinner the first time, I declined and so he invited the MS over. Weirdness. But this dinner was not weird. I was there for over 3 hours and we had a great conversation. He told me about growing up in a communist country and about the Velvet Revolution. I drank way too much wine and had a nice time. Again, I certainly want him in my life but I don't know in what way. His oddness somehow makes me more comfortable in comparison to the MS's calculated perfection. Oh, and he's already met my dog and actually asked if he could go with me when I walk her sometime. Liking the dog gets you a ton of bonus points with me.

Do I dismiss all boyfriend applicants? Do I continue to hold the course and take more time? Am I really into either of these dudes? Do I even know what I want? no. At least I can answer one of these questions. ;-)

Next week is Drag Queen Bingo. As odd as is sounds, this is "the" social event of the year for me. Who will I invite if anyone?