The popularity of dating shows on television is perplexing, but perhaps understandable due to the public's voyeuristic tendencies. In an attempt to better understand the dating-show frenzy, The Eagle sent two supposedly unacquainted AU undergraduates on a blind date. Unfortunately, due to the incestuous nature of AU, the two candidates had already met. But hey, they didn't know each other THAT well, and aren't blind dates always amusing ... to hear about at least?
Seduce with sushi | Date not a leper after all
By JEREMY HOLT
I knew it!
I figured either that I was going to know my "blind date" already, or that my worst fears would come to fruition - she would be the opposite of everything I look for in a girl and torment me throughout the evening.
As it turned out, I did know Nicole already, we are both School of International Service mentors, and to be fair I only know her through that and have never seen her out of that environment. However, when I actually met her for the first time I must say I was interested in getting to know her socially, so when I saw her in The Eagle office I was definitely set at ease.
I have to give credit for the restaurant choice to my co-worker, Jim, who suggested an amazing sushi joint in Dupont called Sushi Taro. I definitely found a new favorite restaurant in D.C. They had great sushi for a very low price, a great atmosphere for a date, and you sit on the floor on pillows while you eat, which is the coolest thing ever.
It was Nicole's first real sushi dinner, and I think it was a success.
After dinner we went over to Kramer's books for some mocha-something-or-others (I let her order) and we looked around at books. The conversation ranged from sports to religion to grandparents to politics, and although I'm a good listener and prefer that the girl talk more on a date, there were a few times when I couldn't get in any of my comments. Luckily that was the only bad thing about the date, which you would have to call an overall success because I would consider going on a second date with her.
Seduce with sushi | Date not a leper after all
By NICOLE WASHINGTON
Blind date (n): an exercise in self-flagellation, in which two people, usually a social reject and a leper, are forced by misguided friends to suffer through each other's company
OK, so that's not the real definition, but that's definitely what I was thinking before heading out on this blind date. My roommate, Lex, left me with these words as I walked out of our room: "I'll be here - if he gets weird, call me from the bathroom or something and I'll come get you." With this reassurance, and wondering who my date could be, I left for The Eagle office, where the first official encounter was to occur.
So much for the "blind" part. While not a close friend, Jeremy is a familiar face - we're involved in some of the same activities in the School of International Service. Upon learning my date would be him, I realized tonight was not the night to fulfill my childhood dream of seeing a leper up close. We met, said hello, and were promptly told we had to meet again, preferably in the hall, where the light was better for the camera.
After our second "first encounter," we headed down to Dupont for sushi. Being from the south, and somewhat anti-Yankee, I was rather dismayed to learn that Jeremy is not only from Long Island, but is also a Yankees fan. His redemption came in the form of a spectacular choice in restaurants and terrific sushi. We sat on tatami mats while we ate, and I must admit, it's hard not to have an enjoyable dinner when you're sitting barefoot on a little pillow, eating with your hands (me + chopsticks = big mess).
After dinner, we went to Kramer's for coffee and conversation, and wandered around the bookstore talking about everything from Kurt Vonnegut to that perennial classic, "Everybody Poops."
I think blind dating is like having a roommate - once you have the one from hell, you've got good karma for life. And since this was not the blind date from hell, I'm a little worried about the next one.
But not worried enough to turn down a free dinner.
