Trials,Tribulations, Travels, Tastings...and Occassional Transcendence

Trials,Tribulations, Travels, Tastings...and Occassional Transcendence
Sock on the Great Wall

Monday, November 12, 2007

Random Encounters - Biking in Philly


I consider myself a friendly person, in fact, I think I can be overly friendly sometimes. However when out at a bar I am the exact opposite. I don't do the meat market thing, I don't go to meet men, and I most certainly do not like any attention from random strangers who are looking to "get some". Once in a while, though, there are those random encounters that surprise me.

Not wanting to sit and watch football in my brother's apartment on a Saturday night, I begrudgingly took myself out to a local bar. Grabbing the last available bar stool with TV access, I ordered a beer and began watching the Flyers/Penguins game. After a few minutes the man to my left initiated conversation - at first I was a bit stand-offish. I am usually forwardly curt with anyone who tries to talk to me at bars. I am known as the Ice Princess back home for just that reason...however, either I was being nice because I was not in my comfort zone or I just didn't feel threatened - his efforts were reciprocated. Next thing we were playing pool, chatting and laughing like old friends. I realize that alcohol is an uninhibiting device for some...and perhaps that was one of the factors of our comfortable interaction that night...perhaps.

The next day he phoned to have lunch - alright - I love to eat, he was very nice and seemed to be a perfect gentleman, why not? He shows up at my brother's place with two bikes - a beautiful Cannondale road bike and an Alan track bike - YIKES! A man who is cool and knows bikes...dangerous combination for me - if he was a downhill skier I might have to propose - that's all right, no one's perfect. Anyway, so we ride throughout the city to the lunch spot. Have a great time - he's even more attractive today. How does that happen? I thought beer goggles don't work the next day? Regardless, it was an amazing time with an amazing random encounter. I don't know if I will ever see him again. I hope to...but only time will tell. If I don't I can still think about riding through the city with a cool guy, on a killer bike and smile till my face hurts :)

7 comments:

Jennie said...

You definitely deserved a day with a cool guy. They do exist.... crazy.
Are there any pictures

Julie said...

So jealous. My life sucks so much. I need to move.

Ari said...

Yes, Jennie, there are pics...of the bikes. What's wrong with me?

Jennie said...

dreamy , not even an emergency break....

Jennie said...

and of the one on the bike?

Andrew said...

Yea, Ari, great job taking pictures of the BIKES. :) Safe to say that Jennie wants more pics, say from photo op #2.

Jason Stein said...

Glad you had a nice time in Philly. Sorry we couldn't meet up. I had the fortunate same Saturday night eating red meat and enjoying the gentleman's ballet. A good friend was being sent of to marriage.
Next time you are down, and want to see some hidden gems of Philly from 2 wheels, (off road like) let me know.
Oh, and you have ever seen my house. then again, I haven't seen yours yet.