Of Dates that go well and Dates that go, well, not so much

It’s time to write more Date stories.I was asked out on a date! Yes!! This was quite exciting. All I was told was what to wear and when to be ready.In the week preceding the date, I was challenged to guess what it could be. I really didn’t want to play that game as I wanted to be surprised and enjoy the experience. Actually, my nature and inner voice were screaming at me to guess, and it was a huge struggle to not try. There were clues revealed and misinformation fed. (I confess I did get on to Google the day before in an attempt to figure it out...)The day arrived. As did the weather. It was terrible. And somewhat concerning as I had been told that we’d be outside for three hours. We went to dinner first. A cool local restaurant and then on to The Pumphouse in Takapuna where I was to get to see ‘The Taming of the Shrew’! Yes!! Shakespeare! And happily the outdoor performance got shifted indoors.Now I need to back up a little bit. I’ve always enjoyed Shakespeare. From back in the University days attending the drama company’s performances, to reading it for fun. (Yes, I have a printed ‘Complete Works’ as well as an electronic version on my iPad.), and one of my regrets (I guess I can call it that) was that I had neglected attending the theater and it has really been only in the last six months or so that I’ve been getting back in to doing so.We had talked about it in passing and she remembered this detail. Very cool!!All up a fantastic evening. Great things to do and such great company.Then there is the contrast. Another date, where the intention was to keep it light and airy as it had been a hard work week and by the time Friday came around we were both pretty exhausted. Decided to go to a movie. Relax. Unwind a little.Well.We saw Black Swan.It is a good movie. No question. Natalie Portman is superb in it.However, and here is the Public Service Announcement for the guys, watching a woman descend into absolute madness for a couple of hours is not something that sets any sort of positive mood for aprés movie conversation.This is an important lesson to learn.- Simon.