Mrs. G at Derfwad Manor was commenting on the concept of date night and keeping it fresh. It made me think. I didn’t read the article she was referring to - but I gathered that, in summation, the premise of the article was to raise the bar. It said - News Flash - Dinner and a movie are not a sufficient deterrent to marital boredom to prevent InaRutItis.
Well, okay.
I guess.
Mrs. G seemed to think that dinner and a movie were quite adequate. I agree. As I read through the comments that followed her posting - It became clear that, along with me and Mrs. G, her readers seem to feel that dinner and a movie will do nicely, thank you very much. Yes, nicely.
The Man and I don’t even do the movie part. We just go out and have dinner, or appetizers. When/if we watch a movie it’s one we’ve rented. I am of the following opinion: Almost any activity that takes The Man away from the computer screen or To Do list is fine by me.
We tried a novel and “exciting” date night recently. Oh dear! Take me back to our favorite place for appetizers please. PLEASE!
Date night Drama:
New Years Eve. It is a cold and bitter night. The kind of night that finds the snow pack squeaking under my shoes as I approach the house of our young friends, Princess and Cowboy. The bitter chill is offset by the anticipation of the evening to come. For the first time in ... in ... well, I guess for the first time The Man and I are going out on a date with friends to celebrate New Years Eve. We were invited to participate in Unnamed Restaurant’s New Years Eve Bash. The Man had been taken aback by the proposed price tag of this Bash. 100 dollars per person. For this 100 dollars we were promised a steak and lobster dinner, drinks, dessert, a cab ride home and brunch the next morning. It seemed a fair price to me. But I’m not nearly as frugal as The Man. In retrospect, the word Bash should have sent me running the other direction. However, not feeling nearly as old as I am, I was thrilled to be one of those cool and beautiful people who actually go out on new year’s eve. Heck, I don’t even remember the last time I was AWAKE at midnight on news years eve, or any other night for that matter, unless one of the kids was sick, or nursing. Sad, huh?
So ... it’s 8:45 (I’m usually falling asleep by now) and I’m ready to rock and roll. I think I remember how. I hope. I had strict instructions from my young friend, Princess, to “wear something sexy”. Okay - I can do that. I’m hoping she approves of my attire. The Man likes it. That’s a good start. Right?
Good News! Princess proclaims me to be looking HOT! Yay! I’m hot! Wow! What a fun night this is going to be! Tee Hee - I look HOT!
We meet up with another couple and proceed to Unnamed Restaurant. Princess is in her element and immediately begins greeting friends. Dinner is delicious and after dessert the DJ starts the music. A Princess she may be, but I am The Dancing Queen. It’s been YEARS! And I am having FUN! Fun, fun, FUN, until Cowboy’s crazy ex girlfriend decides she needs his attention tonight. In fact she needs everybody’s attention tonight. She even hits on The Man - Oh No you Don’t!!!
I could go into all the gory details - but suffice it to say I observed:
tears,
insults,
drinks thrown into faces,
Cowboy and Princess almost breaking up,
body slams on the dance floor,
hair pulling,
high heels ground into toes,
thrown drinks that miss the intended target and hit innocent bystanders,
and a chick fight complete with flying fists and blood.
At three in the morning, we were still waiting for the cab and I was spent. Physically and emotionally. I’d only WITNESSED all this drama and I was done for. Uncle, I give, I’m ready to tap out - I AM older than I feel.
With age comes wisdom.
We skipped brunch.
Next year - something quiet for us.
SO ... to return to the point, dinner and a movie sounds great. Exciting date nights are not necessarily all they are cracked up to be.
