Dating Myself -- The First Adventure

After church, I drove leisurely around Salina, knowing I was hungry but not wanting to be put in the fast-food box for people who can't eat anywhere else when they're alone.

So I ventured downtown to a lovely Italian restaurant called "Martinelli's."  I had to park a block away because the Baptists beat me there after church.  Ha.

That walk alone was enough to make a person like me want to turn around and pretend I was just taking a stroll.  The large windows enabled the people inside to see me coming from a long way, and I had to hold my dress down.  Already embarrassing.  As I opened the door, I took a deep breath, acted like I knew where I was going and marched right in.

The hostess said the dreaded words, "How many?"  to which I promptly replied, "Oh, just one today," and smiled rather largely.  She smiled back.  Success.

The girl who seated me fumbled over where to put the one menu at the table set for four, and we laughed as I chose a seat and a bus boy scurried to clear the other place settings.  My waiter was a dashing young man with dark curly hair and a beautiful complexion.  Much too young for me, and anyway, this experience is about enjoying being alone!

Confidence, I thought.  All it takes is confidence.  I took some time mulling over the menu (mostly to buy myself some less awkward time) and decided on a quarter portion of spaghetti and meatballs with a glass of Merlot.  I was carded, of course, but not before I could ask if they were allowed to sell wine on Sundays.  Stupid question.  I couldn't believe it was so difficult for me to order on my own.  My dinners out usually consist of me shooting food-option ideas off of everyone at the table.  I can't believe I've had to be validated to the point that ordering my own meal wasn't a personal decision anymore.

While I was ordering, my phone rang, and what a great time to talk on the phone!  I'll look like I have a life, I thought.  I talked to Molly for around 6 minutes and we discussed our trip to Virginia in October and my new blogging idea as I told her where I was and what I was doing.  She's very supportive, and even excited--as a good best friend should be.  :)  My food came almost immediately when I hung up the phone, and the woman who brought my Merlot asked if I had already been carded because I "just look so young!"  Thanks, lady.  I KNOW.  So now I look like a baby all alone, and drinking wine.  Way to be even more of a spectacle!

I'm used to making a spectacle of myself.  That's happened since the moment I could speak.  Seems I can't walk into a room without doing something ridiculous.  But -- I pressed on.  Here is what my lunch looked like.

That is more like spaghetti and meatBALL.  Singular.  But the most delicious Italian I have had in a long time.

The rest of my meal, I took slow, deliberate bites.  I suggest doing this not only because you get full faster and can take home leftovers, but because it gave me time to take in the enviroment around me.  You might call it eavesdropping, I call it appreciating conversation.  The people next to me talked long about the desert and an adventure two of the people had there.  Across the way I saw the doppleganger of a man that I know.  I even  appreciated every sip of my Merlot.  I might not have experienced any of those things had I been consumed with the presence of another person.

I still love being with people.  But this...this is new.  And kind of exciting.

After my meal, I needed to walk off that wine so I explored a little downtown and found a few more spots to add my "date" list, including this theater.

All in all, I'm a pretty good date.

*My kudos to Mr. Abram Rankin who helped me come up with the name for this blog.  From one onederful person to the next. ;) *