"Let's just be friends..."

Earlier this week I reevaluated my three unwanted relationships and decided it was best for all involved if I cut everyone loose and started fresh. My plan was to refocus the Poonani relationship towards friendship, try the same with Bear, and just let Madonna fizzle away. All this panned out really well, let me show you why I suck.

I texted Poonani on Tuesday and asked if we could meet for drinks at 9pm Thursday on the Hill. She rescheduled from 9pm to 7pm, so drinks turned into a five-course romantic meal. I don't know if it was the setting, or some pheromone Poonani was giving off, but I just couldn't bring myself to steer the conversation in the direction I had intended. Not only that, I found myself nervous at times like this was a first date. I can't quite figure any of this out, because I'm really not attracted to her on most levels.

My neck was bothering me (I broke it playing football in high school, and it's almost perpetually stiff) and I kept cracking it at dinner. Poonani, who was sitting on a bench seat along the wall, said "Come sit next to me". I didn't know what she was up to but I moved across the table and sat next to her. Much to my surprise she started giving me one of the best massages I've ever had. In five minutes she worked three kinks out of my neck and I was ship shape. It was strange, people in the restaurant were staring, but she was doing such a good job that I didn't care. I can't tell if she's trying to be sexy or playing games. But I have to tell you that I lose my objectivity when a girl treats me well like this.

I drove Poonani home at the end of the night, and to further complicate matters I made out with her a little in front of her place. However, she initiated it, I didn't make any moves and take neither credit nor blame. The good news is that she's in the Bahamas for the weekend so I have a few days to regroup and figure out how to get back on course.

Madonna sent me a couple of texts while I was away and I responded cordially, but showed little interest. However, before I knew what happened we had plans to meet tonight for drinks. I think I'm going to break our plans, I'm not looking forward to meeting up, despite the fact that sex is imminent.

I need some new prospects and am heading to the bars tonight with my sister and some buddies. My buddy broke up with South on Tuesday so he's looking to scare up some new lady friends, a dangerous combo.

I haven't heard from Bear since last week, she's out West for work. I don't have a plan yet for how to handle her. She's going to take rejection hard. I would like to ease her out of the dating scene without hurting her feelings or losing her friendship. Maybe those two goals are mutually exclusive.

I just got back from the DMV where I was registering my Honda. I have to say, I'm consistently surprised by how nice the people are at the DC DMV stations. The dude who inspected my bike (who, admittedly, was a biker too) gave me a 7-year inspection certificate, and didn't even make me start the bike, he only verified the VIN. He even gave me an express ticket for registration, so I didn't have to wait in line. I was in and out in less than one hour, which has to be some type of record. I'll go on record as saying that the DMV is one of the best services in the city. If only dating here was as easy.