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Women like to be romanced, but you know that
already!
However, giving us what I will refer to as "girly
things" such as flowers, candy or jewelry--all in
an effort to make
us feel better than we did before we met you--is
like baking a cake
and forgetting the icing!
The key to women...OK, boys, get close, turn down
ESPN...The key to women is
I.M.A.G.I.N.A.T.I.O.N...! We like something
"different"...Different mind you, not bizarre! We
like to be impressed
but we love it when we're "creatively
impressed..." When
serious thought goes not only into that "little
surprise"
but the entire date. Then we sit up and take
notice.
So, my dear Watson, what then is considered that
"special date?" Special mind you, not perfect.
And
in a "world full of toys" do we really need
something expensive
in order to be impressed by our suitor?
OK..OK...the question is a set-up but still a
perfect segue to tell you about a "Special Date"
that,
just by closing my eyes, lets me conjure up the
images, sounds and smells that made up that
entirely
wonderful day.
On one of my recent trips to NYC, I was invited
to a
Yankee game by one of my dear friends whose day
job
is that of a well-known recording artist. Had
he wanted to
impress me with opulence, I guess he could have
bought out the entire stadium, and we could have
sat in a first base
box alone, just us, the umpires and the players!
So what does
someone of his stature bring to the plate--no pun
intended--that
could impress yours truly?
I have you at a disadvantage since I already know
the answer, but in keeping with the suspense...I
will continue:
That answer would be found in the upper east side
at a
small cafe he had chosen for a light dinner
before the game. (What
happened to hotdogs and popcorn? But then again,
this is his
date.)
 Before we ordered, my date reached to the seat
next
to him and pulled out the most adorable white
Yankee baseball
cap! Now, that was exciting and "right on the
money", not
to mention thoughtful. As he proudly placed the
cap on my head
and made manly adjustments, we both giggled; it
just set the mood
for the date that was about to begin...!
His stock went up several points...I didn't get
flowers
that suddenly appeared from the restaurant's
cooler
or that sweet little gold charm in the shape of a
baseball
and that meant absolutely nothing. Instead, the
"gift" was in
baseball jargon. And suddenly the Yankee cap
became very
special and so did my escort!
As we made our way over to the stadium, I
remembered
having attended a few games as a child and
thought that
would hold me in good sted for the subtleties of
the game...Not to
worry--I had a very bright 11-year old Yankee
enthusiast
seated in the box next to us that could explain
all the rules and stats,
right down to the lines on the field! We listened
to the young boy
give us background on the game about to begin.
I, in my crisp, white
baseball cap, and my new-found "buddy" in his old
worn navy-colored
lid, both carrying that famous name in sports:
Y.A.N.K.E.E.S...!
Suddenly, we were bonded by a common goal: Beat
The Orioles...!!!
My date focused more on me than the game; quite
flattering, actually. And to be perfectly
honest, we weren't there to
scrutinize every play but rather to get to know
each other outside our
normal
hectic schedules and protective shells. So,
there, surrounded by the
sounds of the stadium, mounds of peanut shells
and little Matt
booing the Orioles, we chatted about his tour,
life as a famous artist,
his travels, my budding modeling career, my
travels, love of
photography and my "new identity" as JUST
RILEY...! Not to mention
how "cute" he thought I looked in my Yankee
baseball cap. Somehow
our natural conversation just wouldn't have felt
the
same over a glass of Napa Valley 1987 Pinot Noir
at
a French restaurant with a 5-star rating!!!
No, there was no place for wine at my baseball
date;
instead, cold old-fashioned beer in styrofoam
cups became the order
of the day. There was something about casual
conversation, with
intermittent yelling by fifty-five thousand fans
cheering and
groaning at every pitch and grunt, that somehow
made me feel good about
this date.
 The stadium, the noise and size of the crowd can
be quite
daunting--especially if the crowd get's
rowdy--but each time
I looked over and smiled at him, I "tugged" on
the brim of
my cute Yankee cap, and the day just seemed
RIGHT and SAFE!
I could feel us sitting closer to each other at
the
edge of our seats, surrounded by screaming people
who cared only about
one thing...T.H.E. Y.A.N.K.E.E.S....
Unfortunately, they were
losing and losing badly..!!!
As die-hard Yankee fans stood for the seventh
inning
stretch, and I kept thinking to myself: "who came
up with the
seventh inning stretch?", my eyes wandered around
the stadium
checking out the vendors hawking their wares--the
arm on some of
them could have helped the home team with their
pitching; moms and dads
with their
children in tow enjoying a summer evening under
the lights; men
and women; young and old; strangers until
tonight; all caught up
in the moment and having the time of their lives!
Yes, the sights, sounds and aromas became as much
a
part of my date as the great-looking guy to my
left! This emotion
was hard to put into words; he had given me so
much more
than just a game; he had truly given me a slice
of Americana at its
best!!!
Later that evening at a small outdoor cafe
sipping a nice
wine and chatting about the game and how
"adorable" I
still looked in my white Yankee cap in spite of
my wrinkled
appearance, I couldn't get over just how teriffic
this date had truly
been. Described in three words: informal,
exciting and fun!
Remember, boys, you may not have the Yankees but
hopefully there's a major league team in your
area. Of
course, this is college football season and on
its heels the NFL, not to
mention hockey and....well, you get the idea.
Taking your date
to a game should not be a problem. Just make
sure to take "measure"
of your date and select a cute memento that she
will cherish and
remember
always!!!!
That's it for today...!
Just Riley. |
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