I've been lurking trp since December. After reading up, I discovered I've been practicing it for the past 1.5ish years without knowing. I had about 5 plates spinning really well throughout 2013 before ditching 'em all last Fall and taking a break. I was spread too thin with my business, work and all the women.

So I just decided to get back in the water but with a different goal. To actually find a partner. I know this sounds crazy but I'm a couple years shy of 30 and really starting to have a very high social value and a status that is skyrocketing. I spent the past two months getting myself back in shape, I changed my living situation and started my own business. I always knew that if I wanted high quality then I must be high quality. I know I am high quality. A lot higher than I was last year when I had too many plates to count.

So I got in touch with this girl who is 24, professional and very talented at what she does. Not to mention she's pretty goddamn gorgeous. Doesn't smoke, do drugs or have any substance problems.

Two weeks ago when I saw her, I told her I would call her in a couple weeks and ask her out. She beamed. I did my thing, and then yesterday I decided I'd like to hang out with her. I called her in the middle of the day knowing she was at work and wouldn't answer. I did not leave a voicemail. I went on about my day and when the evening came around, I texted her:

"Doing a consultation downtown and will probably grab a drink or two afterwards. You should come and have a couple with me. I'll be done around 9."

She texted back less than 15 minutes later:

"Lol hey! I just got off work. That sounds fine. just let me know when you finish and we can meet up."

My first instinct indicates that she's giving me a soft rejection here. I assume that if she really wanted to meet up then she would have said something like "That sounds great!"

So I go on about my evening and finish my consultation with the client. Then I head down to a chill bar that I'm fond of and know won't be packed full of hipsters and bros. Not that I'm afraid of the competition, but I like to be able to converse without yelling. In hindsight, maybe I should've gone to a more clubby place because I would've pulled tail anyway most likely. But that's beside the point.

I get to the bar and see a couple familiar faces and shoot the shit, find out there's an acoustic band playing at the bar (had no idea), and deduce that they will probably suck and attract hipsters. I then text the lady:

"Just got to BARNAME. There's a show happening I just found out. Hasn't started yet though."

No response. I bust out my laptop and continue working on some code while I enjoy my IPA (mmmmmm!). As I sit there and work for about 45 minutes I notice that hipsters are starting to file into the bar. A bunch of people with no jobs, deodorant, and a penchant for PBR and a faith in the link between vaccines and autism fill the bar. At this point I finish my beer and text the lady:

"I'm taking off from this place. Have a great night!"

I pack up the workstation, leave my empty bottle on the bar and hit the bricks en route to my car a block away. As I get into my car and turn the key she texts back:

"Hahaha, you too! I'm in bed. I had a long weekend. Hopefully see you tomorrow."

I put my phone down and proceed to drive back up town to meet some friends.

Once I got to my destination I find she has texted three more times:

" Oh shit! I totally thought you texted me for plans tomorrow. Just reread the texts."

"Sorry!!!"

"OMG I feel so spacey. I'm so sorry."

I thought about it for a good half hour before responding and this is where I think I probably screwed the pooch and likely ensured that the only way to save myself here is to next her if she ever contacts me again:

"Lol, no worries. It turned into a belligerent hipster fest anyway so I went to catch up with some pals. Let me know if you want to get together and I might let you buy a round to make it up to me."

She responded:

"Hahaha. that sounds like a deal.

Analyze and advise, TRP.

EDIT formatting...twice