I loved the lazy eye quote. (Maybe he could look at you and the Yankees game at the same time) Baseball card collection on the first date? I was really surprised to learn that he didn't live in his mom's basement, but it is a "toe in the water". I agree. I need to tell you a little about what was going on for me as well. Before we prepared to leave to go to Iraq, we were at Ft. Bragg, NC training. One hot Saturday afternoon I was walking back from the gym and came around a corner to a quadrangle in the middle of the barracks for one of the units of the 82nd Airborne Division. In the middle of this courtyard, there was a casket and eight Soldiers practicing for a funeral detail. The previous day, nine Soldiers had been killed in a single car bomb attack in Iraq. I watched this for about five minutes, and it got me to thinking about how life is too short. With no positive connection to my wife in over two years, and nothing but anger in her conversations to me, I emailed a female administrator in my district, who I had always found attractive, and asked if I could communicate with her when I was in Iraq. In 51 previous years I would have never done anything like that, even more so when I was married. To my surprise, she emailed me back, and we corresponded the entire year I was there. I never went over the line with her, and when I was home on leave I met her for dinner. We have a lot in common, including a ridiculous work ethic. Once again, no advances on my part, just a female friend. To my surprise, she told her friends in the district that she had a great time with me, and thought we had really connected (which I did as well). She has been divorced for 14 years and has two grown daughters. I still have not crossed that line with her, because I AM still married. She is well aware of the items that I need to work through when I get home, and told me that she has no expectations. I think I am smart enough not to rush into anything, and the last thing I want to be is a "recently divorced needy, whiny, man". The worst time to get immediately involved is when you first get divorced (except when you're still married).
I like you, loved being married. Dating and computer dating, especially make me nauseous to think about. I am not especially good at asking women out, but with the life changing experience I just had, and my "life is too short" mentality, I think I may take some risks that I never would have before. Anyhow...life is short, so when you're ready take some chances. Although the blind date didn't work out, it may be too soon, or it may not be right at all, but it was a start at reclaiming YOU. The fact that he knew you were an art teacher and belittled art would make a long evening I would imagine. Hang in there.
