Saturday Night In The City

Saturday night, I had the pleasure of catching up with my good friend, fellow publicist and former TV news colleague Cyndee.

Over a few cocktails at Cyndee’s bachelorette pad in Murray Hill, she told me about schmoozing with the celebs at Fashion Week and her pleasant run-in with actor Jason Lewis (Smith from "Sex and The City") at a recent party.

Speaking of soirees, our destination for the evening was a “wifebeater” party at her friend’s swank two-bedroom apartment between Lexington and Park. From sweeping balcony views of the NYC skyline to dozens of 40-something men and women wearing wifebeater t-shirts, there was no shortage of jaw-dropping sights.

I managed to tear myself away from a plate of terra chips and guacamole so I could take in a full frontal view of the Empire State Building. Joining me were two of Cyndee’s friends, Mike and Greta. As one would expect when a group of single New Yorkers find themselves at a party with a fairly even guy-girl ratio, the conversation quickly veered from NYC’s unparalleled skyline to the perils of city dating.

Mike expressed his disdain for women who measure a man’s value by the size of his bank account, while Greta mentioned the alarming trend of husbands behaving like they’re still single. She’s considering a book with a title inspired by a line she’s heard more than once from NYC men—

“By the way, I’m married.”

I laughed heartily at this, grateful that (to my knowledge) it’s been at least ten years since I’ve been hit on by a married man.

Before heading home, Cyndee introduced me to her adorable British beau. There’s something about a guy with an accent. I’m no stranger to their charms, having dated three men of English descent. Perhaps it’s time for me to reconnect with the Anglophile in me…

Coming up…Opening The Vault to my most romantic week ever and a review of the new Julianne Moore flick “Blindness.”

Outrageous First Dates: Verse Two

When I think of outrageous first dates, I invariably recall the two men who disrobed uninvited -- my ex’s best friend H and Travis, the hunky Australian I met during my stint as a Sydney resident six years ago.

A boat dealer who played rugby in his spare time and had the body to show for it, Travis came onto me while he was in town from Perth. We spent an evening together with mutual friends, eventually locking lips at a local pub. Back at our friends’ house, Travis excused himself while I curled up under a blanket on the couch. I was more than a little surprised when he slid in next to me -- completely naked.

When I informed Travis our attraction would go unconsummated, he didn’t seem to grasp why. After all, he reasoned, I was an American woman on holiday, why not? With a rationale like that, I could only respond one way. With uncontrollable laughter.

For Virginia native and blogger Kristen (http://www.bizchicksrule.com/), a first date in college with a Marine turned out to be anything but amusing. He showed up 45 minutes late, with 5 drunken Marines in tow. His friends proceeded to tell loud stories and tried to start fights with everyone.

“He called every day the next week going on and on about how great a time he had and when were we doing to do it again,” she says. "Um, never? Worst. Date. Ever.”

A blind date quickly turned into a disaster for Lizzie B. After a “trust test” at a bar, in which she was instructed to fall back with her eyes closed, Lizzie’s date took her to Chuck E. Cheese's for dinner to “test how fun” she was.

Chuck E. Cheese's: Great for kids..but not so much for a first date.

“He proceeded to order the 'family pack,' tell them our children were playing in the balls and then set up plates and cups for our imaginary offspring,” she says. “I would have fled if I had my own car.”

Hoboken resident Marah was surprised when the finance guy she connected with on Match.com showed up with two companions -- his pet ferrets Vinny and Daisy.

“This was wrong on so many levels I am not sure where to begin,” she says. “The date lasted about 30 minutes and included a [memorable] conversation about his root canal that week. Vinny and Daisy were getting cold, so he needed to take them back in.”

Like I’ve often said, the redeeming part of a bad date is it leaves you with a great story and a good laugh. I still chuckle when I remember Travis’ disbelief that an American girl would reject the advances of an Aussie rugby player. What can I say? There’s only so far I’m willing to go to promote international relations.

Coming up…sky-high fun at ”Boeing, Boeing” and the scene at a wifebeater t-shirt party.