When my friend Susan goes on actual dates, she does exactly the same things that most people do. She goes out to dinner. She goes to the movies. She goes to female impersonator shows. But somehow, the end result always seems to veer off course.
Sometimes, she and the guy never even make it to the actual date. On one occasion, she and her date planned a picnic. They would meet in the parking lot near the picnic area. They had decided that they would each bring food. Susan was to bring the wine; her date was to bring an assortment of cheeses and crackers. Susan anticipated a romantic time. Subsequent events would make her less optimistic. Her date was late, and then, when he finally arrived, she watched him circle the parking lot for about five minutes before he finally parked the car. When he did finally did pull into a parking space and Susan came over to his car, she asked him if there was a problem. He said there was no problem, but he immediately complained about the day being so warm and his wanting a soda during the drive and stopping at a 7-11 to get one, but not being willing to spend $1.50. Susan then told him that she had wanted to call him to see why he was late, but she didn’t have his cell number. He told her he didn’t own a cell phone because they were too expensive.
They then walked to what Susan described as “the edge a cliff” (Susan doesn’t get into parks very often). Susan carried a bottle of wine and two glasses. She noticed that her date didn’t seem to be carrying anything.
By now, she was adding up all the negatives of the situation and deciding that she really just wanted to go home. She told him she wasn’t feeling well, and decided to pass on the “picnic.” Her date expressed concern and asked her if she wanted to just go back to his car, sit and eat the crackers and two slices of Velveeta that were in his pocket. Susan told him she was allergic to Velveeta and left. She took the bottle of wine home with her and consumed a fair amount of it that evening.
On another occasion, Susan and a man planned a movie date at a theater that was located in a shopping mall. By the time they arrived, the theater was packed, and they couldn’t find seats together. Her date rearranged the entire audience by telling them he was going to propose to her and they had to sit together. One of the people who was forced out of her seat was an elderly woman with a walker. I am not making this up. The elderly woman ended up being moved to the first row, and being separated from her companion, all in the name of “love.”
Susan was mortified, but she said nothing. The movie began and after about 30 minutes, Susan’s date announced that he was going to get popcorn. He then disappeared for an hour. Susan considered the possibilities and decided that one of two things had occurred. Either he had a heart attack and the EMT had taken him away, not knowing that he had a date still sitting in the theater. The other possibility was that the elderly woman in the front row had beaten him senseless with her walker.
It turned out that neither of these had occurred. Her date finally returned, loaded with packages. He said he had gone shopping because he didn’t like the movie. He especially needed a new pair of shoes, and luckily, he found a store that had the perfect ones. He then proceeded to dig into his shopping bag to show her. Susan was so stunned, she didn’t say a word.
When the movie ended, Susan asked her date if he could just wait for her for a moment. She then walked to the front of the theater to try to find the elderly woman and ask her if she could borrow her walker. Luckily, the elderly woman was gone, thereby sparing Susan from being charged with assault with a deadly walker.
Marion Driessen
January 19, 2012
OMG, just what I needed on a long, long work day. It’s 9.30 PM and I’m chuckling all by myself at the uni over poor unfortunate Susan! Thanks 😀
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
Susan will be gratified that her tragic experiences are providing laughter for others.
Carl D'Agostino
January 19, 2012
I am not going to be the jerk to make the stupid male joke about the babe on the cheese box because no one will think it is a joke except other drooling men so I will not make the stupid male joke about the fox up there that is to die for because everyone will call me a stupid jerk and I am not falling into the trap about making a comment about the chick up there and ……
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
Oh, Carl, you rogue. When I saw the illustration, I remembered back in the day when Then husband and I had a monthly food allowence of zero, and we lived on Velveeta. I guess I missed my shot at a cheesey photo like that.
John
January 19, 2012
Awesome!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
Thanks, John. I do all I can to keep Susan in the game.
Kathryn McCullough
January 19, 2012
Poor, poor Susan. Maybe she could have beaten him with antlers–an antlercation.
Kathy
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
Hilarious. That kind of comment is so on point.
Paprika Furstenburg
January 19, 2012
“2 slices of Velveeta in his pocket.” I literally gasped when I read that part. Velveeta is gross coming out of the fridge. I can’t imagine how disgusting it would be when warmed to body temperature and covered in pocket lint. So funny!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
I thought exactly that when she told me the story. Plus, it was summer.
morristownmemos by Ronnie Hammer
January 19, 2012
Just between us; are these creatures figments of your imagination? Are they real? Does Carter make Liver Pills? (a test to make sure you’re in the right age-group!)
Ronnie
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
Unfortunately, these people are, indeed, real.
Lynn Schneider
January 19, 2012
These posts are great. Is Susan a real person?
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
She is, indeed. A real live, breathing, dating person.
youngamericanwisdom.com
January 19, 2012
These are hilarious! Susan must be so much fun to have as a friend.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
That, she is.
notquiteold
January 19, 2012
Oh, I’ve had bad dates, but not even close to this badness! There should be some kind of award for living through this.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
Agreed. I don’t think a friend blogging about it constututes an appropriate award.
K.L.Richardson
January 19, 2012
Yes, unfortunately there are many of these strange guys out there, I too have encountered a few. Unlike Susan though I don’t have a friend who encourages me to continue so I wisely gave up. It is easier to laugh when it is someone else’s date that is being described.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
That sort of defines a lot of things, doesn’t it.
judithhb
January 19, 2012
Renee – this is turning into a book – mostly fact but surely some fiction. Thanks for the laugh (and thank Susan too)
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
I keep telling her to read all this. I’m making her (in)famous. And funny you should say that. Apsychic told her she would write a book. She really shound. Re the fiction: All this stuff actually happened. I just made some of it sound funny instead of just depressing.
Lunar Euphoria
January 19, 2012
Yes, a book would be awesome. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series of posts.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
Wow, thanks. But I don’t think Susan would survive!
nrhatch
January 19, 2012
That Velveeta guy sounds so creepy . . . and sad. Poor Susan. 😆
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 19, 2012
That’s how these things usually end: Poor Susan, followed by laughter.
ladywithatruck
January 20, 2012
I am really starting to relate to Susan, I don’t want these posts to end, i’m hooked on hearing what comes next. Its kinda like Bridget jones’s Diary.
Excellent post can’t wait for the next installment of the Susan’s Saga of Singledom.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 20, 2012
I talked to Susan this morning and told her about the groundswell of interest in her tragic dating life. So I am working on her to see how far I can stretch the bonds of friendship.
My Inner Chick
January 20, 2012
—I love reading about these dates 🙂
Talk about a bunch a damn losers.
They certainly make some interesting stories.
Where the hell is that walker when one needs one? X
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 20, 2012
Seriously. Who would have thought a walker could be used like that?
lifeinthefarcelane
January 20, 2012
omg brilliant! Where’s a walking frame when you need one!!?
I think the velveeta guy is my ex .. hmmm..
Ya know, this series is inspiring me to maybe tell all about some of my disaster dates .. Thanks!
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 20, 2012
YES! An outpouring of dating mayhem! But we do have to give the men equal time. I already have Movie Man’s rebuttal, which is hilarious. I’m going to post that.
Claire Takacs
January 20, 2012
Yes please – a book by Susan.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 20, 2012
I’m working on her.
pegoleg
January 20, 2012
Forget about a book, I smell sit-com! I’d watch that. Poor Susan deserves to get rich off these experiences. And you can be the screenwriter. And I can help (if I’m not too busy with my lucrative Zite duties.)
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 21, 2012
Oh funny. Now I can start thinking of all the glamorous, tall, great haired, genius IQ, super talented in all areas of life actresses who can play me. You can be in it too. For a price.
gojulesgo
January 21, 2012
Oh! Oh! This is the best installment yet (although it’s hard to top the antlers)! Please never stop posting about this. Or can this be your next book? You have the perfect ‘voice’ as you’re describing these horrific experiences; I’m dying. Poor Susan!!
Two slices of Velveeta! In his POCKET! And the other one left! To go SHOPPING! Ahhhahaha…Wow.
Tell me, does Susan laugh when she’s describing these experiences? Or is she too traumatized? …There isn’t enough wine in the world.
Life in the Boomer Lane
January 21, 2012
Susan is HILARIOUS. As painful as these “dates” are, we do have so much fun talking about them. Every so often, she will say “That’s it. I’m FINISHED with dating.” Then, 15 minutes later, she’s off again.
lifeinthefarcelane
January 21, 2012
She sounds awesome, she inspires me! And this is a fabulous series .. good luck on the trip away hope it all goes well 🙂