Being Cool... A Story in Two Parts

Part 1

The other night, I watched the movie, The Blues Brothers. Love it.

It made me think of a funny story, which I told some folks at work.

Back in '90 - '91, I was living in Lincoln, NE. I was there for women and drugs.

I worked at a Mexican restaurant, and there was a little blond cutie who everyone dug. I asked her out, and she said yes.

We planned on a movie and some drinks. Who knows what else, huh?

The day of the date I found out that Matt 'Guitar' Murphy was playing at the local blues bar. I really wanted to see him due to his BB connection. Before the movie, I mentioned it to my date, who seemed less than thrilled. She was too young to have seen the movie, and too white, small town to love the blues, I guess.

We saw the movie, Silence of the Lambs. Great movie, great date, so far.

After, we went for some drinks. I instantly pressed for the blues bar. She still said no.

So, what did I do? Yep, I left her. Made sure she could get home, and I went and saw Matt play.

By the way, great set. Two shows. Got really drunk. Fond memory.

After telling the people at work this story, they made fun of me for leaving a date, and potential lay, for a blues show.

I don't get it. I think, even now, looking back, I did the right thing.

You know how many dates, and lays I've had since that night? Puh-lenty! You know how many times I've seen Matt 'Guitar' Murphy since that night? Never again.

Looks to me like I made the right priority choice.

Part 2

Rehearsal tonight. Laid back. We sat in a circle and told stories about ourselves, and then we all assigned each other nicknames.

My nickname is Ducky. Appropriate, I think.

TO was there. As I said, I have released myself from my crush on her. I hardly looked at her when she came in, and we were not anywhere near each other for the circle of stories.

The last time I saw her, she was cool. She had one night of trying not to encourage me, and then the next time we had rehearsal, she sat next to me, but we didn't talk much.

Then, tonight.

After the circle, she came up to me, and asked how I was doing. We began to talk. When rehearsal resumed, we sat next to each other. We normally did sit next to each other, so this wasn't new.

During the second half of rehearsal, we cracked each other up with side jokes. Then, rehearsal was over.

A fellow troupe member was doing a show at the same theatre a half hour after our rehearsal, and I asked TO if she knew the second troupe performing with our fellow trouper. She said she did, and that they were very funny, and she was going to watch the show. I said great, I had planned on seeing the show too.

She then said let's go get a drink in the half hour space between.

We walked to a small Italian joint, and had a glass of wine. During our drinks, we talked. She wanted to know more about me. I told her about my divorce, and my goals for acting. She told me about her boyfriend, and her new diet and attempt at a healthy life. We told each other how old we are: she 29, me... well, older!

It was a nice conversation. We finished our drinks, and went back to the theatre for a great double show. We sat next to each other, even though she knew plenty of people there. As we were leaving, she gave me a CD of some of her favorite songs.

Then, I got in my car and drove away.

I didn't hang on her every word. I didn't try to play the cool lothario. I didn't fill the talk with innuendo. I just had a drink with a friend, and then went to a show.

I thought the whole time, she is really great, and what a shame she is taken, but I'm glad she likes me, and we are friends. It was nice. I feel really great after it all. I look forward to hanging with her. She is fun and cool.

And I am cool too. She told me that tonight. She said she thought I was cool. I told her that was the first time I had ever been accused of that, but I would live with it.

Humble, dignified, funny, cool, and not desperate. Who can resist me?