We Met...

Most of the people I’ve met in my life, I’ve met incrementally. By that, I mean this: I’ll see someone, then later I’ll exchange a few words and maybe get a name, and then later our meeting will “stick”… but by that time I don’t remember our first interaction. This is especially true of women and how I meet them. With some, I feel like I’ve just known them for a while. With others, I remember specific incidents that led friendship, sexy-times, and/or nowhere.

I never considered being a writer for vocation. I have experienced bursts of activity where I have written stuff down/typed it up, but I lack the discipline to ever do it as more than a dilletante. With that being said, I have been interested in writing something that is structurally different—a book with a series of story endings, for example, rather than a beginning, a middle, and an end. This blog entry is a slight nod to that insofar as it is 20 beginnings. Some of these beginnings blossomed into friendships that I still value today, and one led to my heart being broke, while at least one of them went no farther than what I write here.

Here are 20 beginnings. They're not the 20 most important beginnings, and I have other memorable ones in my life, too. They’re not in any particular order and I’ve left out details intentionally to reduce the chances that acquaintances will recognize the person (although the person herself should have no problems). They include, though, some important people in my past and present.

We met in a laundry room at a hostel. 
My buddy was ironing my shirt and you walked in with a bag of laundry. I asked you about the design on your bag and we talked about international currency.

We met at a party before a theme party.
You had been invited by my friend but had never met him in person before, either. We ended up posing in costume together as we waited for an Uber.

We met at karaoke.
Your friend was meeting my friend for a date after meeting online. I remembered you from the same website, but after I asked you about it you denied you were on the site at all.

We met at a club where you worked.
After you got off of your shift, we talked about how the spaceships were named. We were both pleased and surprised that we were able to have such a real, nerdy chat.

We met in school.
At some point class had to pair off and do some mini group exercise … I don’t remember the particulars of the schoolwork, but I remember your smile and the mischief in your eyes.

We met for dinner after connecting online.
We had dinner and at some point in the conversation discovered we used to be neighbors, and that it was you and your ex-bf that were always arguing so loudly I could hear it.

We met at your birthday party.
It was actually a co-birthday party, and the other birthday girl was the only other person I knew there. You knew EVERYONE there but still took the time to get to know me.

We met at a fake bachelorette party.
Your friends had rented a limo and I was invited because I knew one of your friends. I was dressed in a costume and we had three different types of cinnamon whiskey.

We met at a fashion show.
I was attending by myself and you were with a friend. You sat right across the runway from me and my efforts not to stare at your legs led you to believe I actively disliked you.

We met at a club.
I was waiting to get a drink and you were in “no-man’s land” in terms of not getting served. When the it was my turn, I deferred to you but it turns out you had just been served.

We met online.
I was looking for someone else with the same first name but thought you were cute and sent you a message. I must have said something funny/interesting/something because you replied.

We met in a casino.
It was late and you were with your girls when you saw me and called me over. You called me Edward Cullen and bought me Patron and we ended up getting lost in the hotel.

We met online.
We exchanged a series of drunken (from my side)  messages as you waited for your plane to depart Sea-Tac airport. I remember standing in a club, wondering how you were willing to put up with me.

We met walking down the street.
You were just out of prison and I was in a good enough mood to focus on your obvious, uh, assets. We texted a bit that evening and I got really freaked out by your life.

We met in a bathroom line.
I was right near the front, and you scrambled up to me, asking to cut. I said you could, but that you’d have to hurry. You urinated faster than I knew was humanly possible.

We met on Pride weekend.
I was dressed up for it and you weren’t, but you still looked good. We sang karaoke and drank alcohol and had some very intense conversations about some heavy stuff.

We met on Halloween. 
Although promo girls get hit on by everyone, and you were on the clock as one, I managed to make a good impression even as you thought I was bald under my wig.

We met at a dueling piano bar.
My friends and I were regulars there for Ladies Night, and I definitely noticed you. We had an interesting conversation about how you wanted to be on the Amazing Race.

We met just as we were about to get onto a boat.
I was dressed up and you complimented me. I saw you a bit later on the boat and you let me know that you’d added more swag to your outfit.

We met when you were on a date.
I was singing karaoke with friends and you gravitated towards our group… much to the dismay of your date. He left shortly thereafter but you didn’t regret it at all.