An Epiphany I Had!

First of all, it occurred to me that if I write shorter posts, instead of the gigantic things I keep starting and never finishing, maybe I'll actually post one or two.  That's not the epiphany I wanted to write about, but it is *an* epiphany, and maybe it will change something.

Let's make this stand out a little by putting it in the center:

Epiphany #2:  

A second date is not a commitment.

(To those of you who rolled your eyes, stop it.  I'm being serious.)

(Epic eyeroll,  like the one you just did, starting at 00:13)

Okay, so, I'm not calling anyone out, but recently I've noticed a trend in the girls I've been asking out; I take them on one date, we have a great time (well, *I* do, anyway...) then I ask if she wants to go out again, and she gives me a line like 'I just think we are too good of friends' etc.  Now, I don't want to fault anyone for being honest, and if they sincerely already know that they aren't interested, well, I get that.  In fact, if they're already that sure, I want them to be even more direct about it (but please, do leave me some dignity).  But, well, I've started feeling like it's a big deal for me to ask girls out twice.  I feel like I'm asking for something grievous, some kind of truly awful sacrifice when I ask for a second date.  I even started wondering if second date was secretly code for 'will you spend forever loving me please?' I'm afraid it may have developed enough to become a complex.

The only thing that picture has to do with anything is nothing, but I liked that it said 'Blogger Inferiority Complex' in the corner.  I'm a blogger.  Right?  Riiight?  Listen, I know I need to do better, and I'm sorry all the other bloggers have better ideas and are funnier and actually post frequently...and here comes the complex again.

Moving back to the topic...while I don't begrudge girls being honest with me, I've become seriously gun shy about more than one date.  Somewhere in my head, neurons got crossed, so that when the second date chemical reaction should be firing, the asking for a relationship bundle of mixed emotions is what lights up instead (If I were as cool as Allie Brosh, the hyperboleandahalf girl, I'd draw it out for you. But I'm not.)

Today, while talking to a very interesting girl that I went on a date with last week, I was arguing with myself about asking her out again.  I kept coming back to the fact that I wasn't sure quite how I felt, and I wasn't sure about making that kind of a commitment, when suddenly several conversations over the last few days all came together at once in the simple epiphany I shared above.  I realized that I was both seriously, seriously overanalyzing, *and* mixing up second date with relationship.  If I'm not sure, then that's all the more reason to ask her out!  Right?

Everyone I've shared this with has looked at me like this:

*sigh*...Sometimes I wish I were a normal person, so I could just get it and not need to 'realize' obvious things like this...it's kind of a common occurrence...

Oh, xkcd, you understand me so well...

To sum up: I think I've finally figured it out.  Maybe.  And, please, don't be so reluctant to go on second dates.  It's not like I just asked you to give up your life plans for me, I just liked what we did, and I want to see where things go.  

Promise.  

...

No sooner than the third date.  Got it.