I check the Criaglist missed connections posting every day, in hope that some random stranger has fallen deeply in love with me and absolutely must meet me. Some days, I ride the L around the loop making all-too-sultry eye contact with strangers, hoping the same thing. As I'm sure I've mentioned, I sit at that godforsaken Starbucks looking like I walked off a movie set, dying for some person to approach and complete the story. The story is my enemy. I don't have time for real life, what with my job. I want to meet someone once, and I want it to be perfect, for that time. I want to be able to dictate the particulars to friends who can't possibly believe it's true-- but it is true, because I orchestrated it perfectly.
These moments are invaluable, and I have collected many. My favourite times are when people shake it up-- when others get to create the story when I'm not expecting it. When I'm talking around in a tank top and jeans, enjoying the anonymity of the city, and someone strikes up a conversation. My god, I love people.
I can never meet them more than once because I can only keep up my perfection for one date-- and I want them to be able to tell THEIR story of this angel they met while shopping in Whole Foods, who immediately agreed to kayak with them that evening... never to be seen again. Maybe I'm not good enough to live in reality.... certainly not in this situation. If 22 hours of my day must be dedicated to Boss, then I REALLY don't have time to establish a real connection with anyone in this city, no matter how much I desire it.
And I do desire it, I'm human.