How to be single The experiential dating advice blog

Wear running shoes on a first date: Part 2 of 3

When we left the coffee house at 9 pm, it was very dark outside. In contrast to his “unsettling” demeanor in the coffee house, Bruce seemed happy and excited again. As we set off in no particular direction, he explained that he wanted to show me the “ruins” on Parliament Hill. I wasn’t sure what he was talking about, because – as an Ottawa native – I’m pretty familiar with the few major attractions in Ottawa and have never before heard of these “ruins”. When I questioned Bruce about it, he proceeded to describe that there is a demolished a building near the Parliament Hill, whose remnants resemble a ruin. I was very skeptical, but went along with his idea. Literally.  

As we walked towards Major Hill’s Park, the idea of walking outside with someone I just met – whom I had met on an online website – started to make me feel uncertain. Furthermore, it seemed to me that we were walking around aimlessly. But, as we passed by two police cars stationed near Parliament Hill, I felt somewhat relieved.  It was then, when Bruce asked me to walk with him down a pitch black staircase, to a trail that ran along the Rideau River that I got really worried and nervous and started wishing that the date would end SOON. I wearily made up some lame excuse about not wearing proper walking shoes, to deter him from pursuing this “lackluster” suggestion of his. To make things worse, Bruce then admitted that he was lost and what he wanted to show me wasn’t there (down the path) but rather on the other side of Parliament. WTF?!

However, this new locale was actually in the direction of my car, and given we had come all this way anyways, I agreed to check out the “ruins” with Bruce. When had made our way to the other side of Parliament, he was giddy with excitement at what he wanted to show. He pointed at what was there, but I honestly could not see what he was pointing at… because it was pitch black. This is when he mentioned that what he was pointing at was behind a bush (seriously, these were his words)… and that he made this discovery when he had ‘accidentally’ climbed over the fence with his friend the previous weekend.

This is about the time when the date officially became as ruined as the supposed “ruins” he had wanted to show me. Truthfully, by this time, I would’ve preferred to walk myself back to my car. Given the late hour, I was already tired and really had had enough. I explained to my date that I wanted to call it a night and that he didn’t need to walk me to my car. But, Bruce, like a true gentleman – (I’ll give him that) – offered to walk me to my car… citing that it was a good excuse to spend more time with me (Hooray?!)

Before I wrap up this post, I’d like to state the inherent advice: wear proper footwear to your first date (read: running shoes)… just in case you need to make a run for it.

Alas, as innocent as I am, I didn’t realize that the worst and the most disturbing part of our date, was still to come. It was really after the mindless wanderings to and from the “ruins” that the date really took on a downwards direction.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of this post, and the word “direction” will take on a new meaning for you. WARNING: The reading gets a bit vulgar and profane from here on out. Reader discretion is advised.