My date with Anderson Cooper

Photo obtained from "Out in Hollywood"

I went on a date tonight with Anderson Cooper. Not “the Anderson Cooper,” but a guy who bears a striking resemblance to my favorite, silver-foxy anchorman. It even came up in conversation.

From dinner, to coffee, to “goodnight” — the date was quintessential. My qualm, however, lies within his closing remarks of “Give me a call sometime if you want.” What the hell is that? If I want. If I don’t want, I will of course not call him. And if I do want, do I want to call someone who prefaces the end of a date with “If you want” to see me again, go ahead and make it happen?

This marks date number two this week, having rescheduled with a guy last night in order to watch the GREATEST EPISODE OF “GLEE” EVER (shallow much?). I potentially have four dates this week. All first dates. No, I’m not promiscuous, just eager. The first was too short (me 6’3”; him 5’5”), too nice (he’s in higher ed.) and too cookie-cutter — I felt awkward dropping an “F” bomb because he didn’t curse…at all. Not even a “damn.”

At least Anderson and I were convivial. Granted slightly older than I – “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number” — I talked pop cultural references, current events and generational pastimes better with him than with most guys my age. And by “talked” I mean I know what the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” is, and I’m an avid watcher via Hulu. Thankfully he keeps up with “GLEE”.

Boy slotted for date-number-three is under the weather, so he’s tentative. Number four takes place Sunday at 7:00 p.m., PST. He is the one I bumped for “GLEE” — that’s three references in one post, FOX! Part of me feels bad. Another part of me thinks about whether he’ll find this blog post and realize where he stands on my priority list. And the biggest part of me doesn’t really care that much. Callous, I know, but lately first dates have been more let-downs than lead-ons. Why not prioritize the things in my life I know I’ll enjoy before I embark on something that has as much potential as finding that perfect jacket at Crossroads — it’s possible and easily achieved, but you’re not surprised when you leave the store empty-handed.

Maybe it’s the method in which I made the dates that has prompted such a cynical response prior to even shaking hands with the men — Grindr. While I’ve had better luck meeting men with mobile gaydar than  in bars or clubs, should I focus my efforts elsewhere? And where is elsewhere by the way? Being an invisible minority makes it a little hard to branch out, not gonna lie.

I seem to be the only one of my gay group of friends who is actively dating. Whether partnered, playing or swearing off men for two years (really Jay?), I am the only one in my group dating with a purpose. However, wherever, and whomever I meet, the questions remain: Are gay people subject to online matchmaking and flirting in bars more than the average straight person because our options are limited when we walk into any other establishment? Are we subjected to this guess-and-check process when it comes to dating with intent, more so than hetero-folk?

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