Friday at The Matrix

My first night at The Matrix was not too long ago despite being in Pittsburgh for almost 9 months now. My friend, let's just call him Bob, was having his birthday party. Standing at the bar getting our first few rounds of drinks and waiting for others to show up, I noticed fairly attractive girl talking to a couple of guys. I recognized her from somewhere. When the guys left, I went over and here's the basic conversation:

Me:	Hi! Do I know you from somewhere? You look familiar.
Her:	Huh. No. I don't think so. You don't look familiar.
Me:	(Looking around the room behind her) hmm. What's your name?
Her:	X.
Me:	(My eyes snap back to hers) (pause) ...Facebook?
Her:	I am on facebook.
Me:	Yeah. That's it. I friended you on facebook.
Her:	(laughing)So what's your name?
Me:	PJ
Her:	k. So wait, are you that guy who sent me those messages?
Me:	You mean all two of them? Yeah.
Her:	So you don't think I'm a fun girl?
Me:	You gonna prove me wrong?
Her:	(laughing) Maybe I should stop talking to you then.
Me:	(turning away slowly) Alright.
Her:	I'm kidding.
Me:	(turning back with a sly smile)
Her:	(slying) I'm a fun a girl
Me:	(pausing... looking away)Yeah, well. I'm unconvinced.
Her:	(staring at me almost shocked)

I doubt that was a bad thing to say, but I could've done better with something like, "sure, sure, that's what they all say when they're trying to get in my pants."

Me:	(Tapping my friend on the shoulder) This is my friend, Bob. It's his birthday today.
Her:	Hi!
Bob:	Hey.
Me:	I think Bob needs a birthday kiss.
Her:	(smiling)Ok. come here.
Me:	((Bob turned back around) whispering in her ear) I'm trying to hook him up tonight. That's my goal.
Her:	uh huh.
Me:	(still whispering) You've got to help me out with that, ok?
Her:	(smiling) Ok.
Me:	(after a pause) You know, I've got like 300 friends on facebook.
Her:	I've got like 200 or something
Me:	Yeah? Well for me to recognize you... that says something.
Her:	Well, I'm flattered.
Me:	(seemingly sarcastic)Yeah, well you should be!
Her:	Ok, well we're going to the bathroom. See ya.
Me:	Later.

In retrospect, it was the "out of everyone I know, you stand out" thing that really turned her off from me... and fast. It implied that, while I don't know her at all, I already considered her something special or that I was trying to convince her that I was someone she should get to know, neither of which I really intended. It was interesting, though, to watch the good feelings just drain out of her face... like instantly. So, clearly, I screwed up a bit. However, contrary to what I implied, I still doubt she's all that interesting.

We spent the rest of the night in the 80's room, in which I decided I was going to prevent that typical self-conscious feeling from taking over me. As I started just having a good time screaming along with my friends to Bon Jovi, dancing, jumping, laughing, and taking stupid pictures, my friends and the people we were with let go too, which made for a killer atmosphere. And that's when everyone else around us started noticing. Groups of girls danced next to us, some jumping in with us; others walked by... a couple times; and the sad ones sitting alone at the bar watched (although, they didn't join us even when waving them in).

The attractive thing seemed to be the really good energy we put off combined with the vibe that I just didn't care what anyone else thought; I was going to have my good time and the hell with everyone else. Good emotions are infectious, and like gravity they pull everyone around. We're all looking for something fun and exciting, but are we afraid to fun and exciting ourselves?

Me? ... no more.