But, what’s wrong with being picky? This may come off as arrogant, but I see no reason for me not to be picky. High maintenance? Sheesh, is that what you really think? Let’s go through my little list, and see what is so high maintenance about it …
Fun-loving: Who doesn’t love fun? A general positive demeanor is all I was implying.
Risk-taking: If you love fun, you should already have a predisposition for risk-taking, whether that means travel, trying new food, etc.
Artsy: An appreciation for the arts (and this includes fine arts). You don’t have to have good taste … just have taste.
Fine Dining: Seriously, who doesn’t like to go to nice restaurants? Name one person!
Cultured: My definition of this means intelligent and curious. Not necessarily from another culture, but that certainly helps (clearly you can understand that being the Amer-Asian that you are!).
Myth debunked! I’m confident I’ll find my very own Goddess. She certainly exists … I’ve been fortunate enough to meet a few of them along the way.
I’m glad all it took for you to get comfortable around me was to get engaged!
Drinks sound great.
Details forthcoming.
—Marty
Draft:
Friday, September 5, 2008 5:10 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: Details …
This e-mail was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
P.S. And, I’m not sure if I made it clear enough … but thanks for getting back in touch (a.k.a. finally responding to my e-mails from months ago) and trying to set me up with one of your friends. I imagine that has to be more than a little weird for you (and for Peter). You guys were great hosts. It is truly appreciated, and I look forward to our budding new relationship as friends. Stranger things have happened.
P.P.S. Yes, I realize that I use the smiley emoticon entirely too much. I’m just a happy guy.
Sent:
Friday, September 5, 2008 at 6:31 PM
From:
Facebook
To:
Martin
Subject:
Izabell Chin added you as a friend on Facebook …
Hi Martin,
Izabell Chin added you as a friend on Facebook. We need to confirm that you know Izabell in order for you to be friends on Facebook.
To confirm this friend request, follow the link below: http://facebook.com/?profilid&ed=274556685=feed&story=e942nidiv34
Thanks,
The Facebook Team
Sent:
Friday, September 5, 2008 at 6:34 PM
From:
Facebook
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Martin Fuller confirmed you as a friend on Facebook …
Hi Izabell,
Martin Fuller confirmed you as a friend on Facebook.
To view Martin’s profile or write on his Wall, follow this link: http://facebook.com/?profilid&ed=25603946685=feed&story=e942nidiv34
Thanks,
The Facebook Team
Sent:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 4:15 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Anna
Subject:
Date
Looking forward to dinner tomorrow. If you can’t recognize me, I’ll be wearing velvet chaps. ;-)
Sent:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 5:35 PM
From:
Anna
To:
Marty
Subject:
Re: Date
Excuse me? I’ll be wearing jeans, a black shirt, and a beige sweater. Looking forward to dinner as well.
Best,
Anna
Draft:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 6:06 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Anna
Subject:
Re: Date
This e-mail was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
How did you not get that joke? It was hysterical! Iz thought it was funny way back when …
Sent:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 6:17 PM
From:
Anna
To:
Izabell
Subject:
?
What is Marty talking about? Is this supposed to be funny, and I missed it?
----------Forwarded message----------
Sent:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 4:15 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Anna
Subject:
Date
Looking forward to dinner tomorrow. If you can’t recognize me, I’ll be wearing velvet chaps. ;-)
Sent:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 6:30 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Elizabeth
Subject:
Incompatible
I am forwarding you the e-mail chain between Marty and Anna. Read from the bottom up. He is totally flirting with her in a really cute and clever way!!! And she has no clue!!! I told you they are incompatible.
—Me
----------Forwarded message----------
Sent:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 6:17 PM
From:
Anna
To:
Izabell
Subject:
?
What is Marty talking about? Is this supposed to be funny, and I missed it?
----------Forwarded message----------
Sent:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 4:15 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Anna
Subject:
Date
Looking forward to dinner tomorrow. If you can’t recognize me, I’ll be wearing velvet chaps. ;-)
Sent:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 7:13 PM
From:
Elizabeth
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: Incompatible
Don’t obsess. Focus on your own relationship. ;-)
Sent:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 7:16 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Elizabeth
Subject:
Re: Incompatible
What relationship?
Sent:
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 7:41 PM
From:
Elizabeth
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: Incompatible
????
Sent:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 9:09 AM
From:
Izabell
To:
Marty
Subject:
Re: Details …
Where are my details?
Sent:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 2:03 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: Details …
I had a rib eye steak, medium rare, with garlic mashed potatoes. And a nice full-bodied Cabernet. For dessert, toffee pudding.
Sent:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 2:05 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Marty
Subject:
Re: Details …
Martin, give me details NOW. Did it go well? Do you like her? Interested? I know—a man never kisses and tells but since I am to thank for your date, I do think I deserve some details!!!!!
Sent:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 2:13 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
>
Re: Details …
More on Anna when you’ve got a few drinks in me … I like our current “let’s not talk about each other’s love life” arrangement for the time being.
Sent:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 2:34 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Marty
Subject:
Re: Details …
Is that our arrangement? I never realized that. I see then!
Well, I suppose I’ll have to just call Anna for details. A girl always talks. ;-)
Sent:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 5:03 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: Details …
It’s definitely our arrangement. Unless you’re going to answer my question:
Is life everything you imagined it would be as a new fiancée?
Sent:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 9:19 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Marty
Subject:
Re: Details …
Nothing in life turns out the way you imagined it, Marty. That’s neither good nor bad. There’s my answer, take it or leave it.
Sent:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 10:31 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Anna
Subject:
So …?
Hey There,
Dinner was fun the other night. I enjoyed our conversation about your work aspirations and my love of travel, fine foods, and all things cultural. Sorry to inundate you with movie quotes though—hope that didn’t make you feel like I was talking in a different language. ;-) And, I’m sorry for all my music references, too. I speak in “music,” haha. Anyway, it seemed like I may have done most of the talking and you the listening … I’m interested in learning a little more about you … How about a game of 20 Questions, or, rather, 5 questions:
1) Fun: What’s your favorite thing to do for fun? Would you describe yourself as positive?
2) Risk-taking: What sorts of risks have you taken in your life?
3) Art: What are your tastes in film, music, and the theater? Do you own fine art?
4) Fine Dining: Seriously, who doesn’t like to go to nice restaurants? Do you?
5) Cultured: What kinds of things are you curious about?
Looking forward to your varied responses to my list of questions.
—Marty
Sent:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:42 PM
From:
Annette
To:
Izabell, Elizabeth, Brooke
Subject:
Lists
This one won’t give up. And, he puts things in lists. I hate lists.
Oh, and he can’t count! (See final two paragraphs.)
Bleah. Cut and pasted below.
Hi Annette:
Yes. I know. I keep writing. But I promise if you would like for me to stop I will be glad to. Just say so.
I just hate to throw the towel in on you yet.
I went back and reread my e-mails and I don’t think I said anything to offend or unnerve you. Sometimes it is hard to tell. What is harmless to one person can flip a switch with another … I see that all the time teaching school.
You did say you had not been married for a “long, long time.” Maybe you just got cold feet from the whole idea of “Internet Dating”? If so, I know how you feel. The whole process of meeting someone from the Internet is so draining.
But for me … that’s about my only opportunity.
First, I have a great job and don’t believe in dating where I work.
Second, I don’t go to church every Sunday and when I do the average age of the eligible gal is like ninety-three. I try to be open minded about age … but … that’s a little too much … unless of course she is rich … LOL …
Third, I don’t do bars and the idea of approaching a woman cold in public is just too sleazy for me. I can see me now … “Hey baby … is the squash ripe?” LOL …
Fourth, that leaves the Internet and the hundreds of women that e-mail me … ugh. You think a guy would love all of that attention or at least get a little egotistic because of that desire …
Fifth, the truth is … I am a nice guy … Monogamous … intelligent … attractive … and fit. I come with limited baggage and a good heart. In high school … that and a thousand dollars would NOT buy me a date … now … it fills up my dance card.
Sixth, I guess what I am trying to say is that it is okay to be overwhelmed by the process. And, if you don’t want to talk to me specifically … I really am okay with that. But if you are just a little overwhelmed by it all … and a little nervous meeting someone that way … don’t throw the towel in just yet. I am a kind and patient man … and I would still like to talk to you … and if it works out … maybe even meet you, too.
Eighth,
Wade
Sent:
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 11:49 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Annette, Elizabeth, Brooke
Subject:
Re: Lists
Hey, I like lists!!!
Sent:
Friday, September 12, 2008 at 2:16 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Marty
Subject:
The Braves Game!!!
Hooray! We are all set for the Braves game next week!!!!!! VIP here we come. You bringing Anna?
I’m headed to a theater opening with some gal pals tonight. Should be fun.
—Iz
Sent:
Friday, September 12, 2008 at 2:22 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: The Braves Game!!!
Have fun at the theater event. Sounds like a lot of fun. I love the theater. Does Peter enjoy it?
Plans for the weekend: dinner with a friend in town from D.C., official third date with Anna on Saturday night, movie on Sunday. We’ll see if I can handle all that activity!
Sent:
Friday, September 12, 2008 at 5:16 PM
From:
Izabell
To:
Marty
Subject:
Re: The Braves Game!!!
Peter doesn’t really like the theater. Usually I bring a girlfriend to things like that. Then again, to be fair, I don’t particularly like Braves games—unless I’m sitting in the VIP box! Movies, concerts, theater, museums, art galleries, opera, ballet, and the symphony—I like those things. Peter likes sports, television, and reading. But, relationships are about compromise.
Third date with Anna, huh? This is getting serious. ;-)
Sent:
Friday, September 12, 2008 at 9:39 PM
From:
Anna
To:
Marty Bcc: Izabell
Subject:
Re: So …?
Marty,
Wow. Those are some tough questions. I’ll try my best to answer them.
I enjoy my work. It’s what I enjoy most. So, I guess what I do “for fun” is work. I very much take pride in my career, and it’s the most important thing to me. It makes it easier to put in those long hours.
I like to shop also. I like designer clothes.
I like sushi.
I’m not really a movie or music person.
Hope that helps to answer some of your questions. Looking forward to seeing you again.
Best,
Anna
Sent:
Friday, September 12, 2008 at 10:04 PM
From:
Anna
To:
Izabell
Subject:
Re: So …?
How did I do in my response? I guess he r
eally wants to get to know me better. I’m looking forward to our next date. He’s such a fun guy. Thanks for setting us up, I appreciate it.
Best,
Anna
Sent:
Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 10:11 am
From:
Izabell
To:
Marty
Subject:
Re: The Braves Game!!!
I won’t ask for details, because I know you won’t give them to me. Grrr.
How was your weekend?
Draft:
Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 2:13 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Izabell
Subject:
My Bad
This e-mail was written but not sent and will save as Draft until further action.
I slept with Anna last night. I feel horrible.
I need to talk to you about this … I was just … lonely and slightly intoxicated (and thinking of you the whole time).
Sent:
Monday, September 15, 2008 at 4:18 PM
From:
Marty
To:
Save as Draft Page 18