No. 501 – The Outsider

Performer: A Perfect Circle

Songwriters: Billy Howerdel, Maynard James Keenan

Original Release: Thirteenth Step

Year: 2003

Definitive Version: None

To recap: The first meeting between Vicky, with whom Laura’s friend Kathy set me up on a blind date in April 2004, went well. In fact, Kathy was impressed when Vicky told her that I had taken her to an Indian restaurant, because she was a vegetarian. What, she was expecting I’d take her to a steakhouse?

Anyway, when I called Vicky as promised a few days later, she agreed to get together again. This date, if you could call it that, was a quick hitter, although I don’t remember why—probably because it was after a Clippers game, so it was late. Anyway, we decided to meet for a drink in Grandview at Gibby’s (now long gone). I’d never been, but it was Vicky’s suggestion.

I again brought Vicky a little gift. At our lunch date, she disclosed that she liked Tool, which surprised me given their reputation as a guy band but definitely pleased me. I asked if she had the new Perfect Circle album—Thirteenth Step. She said she didn’t, because she didn’t like APC as much as Tool. Interesting, so Vicky liked louder, longer, more challenging music. This bodes well.

But I insisted she should check out Thirteenth Step, because it was more Tool-like than Mer de Noms. So, for our second date, I burned her a copy (for archival purposes.), and I threw in Ænima, Tool’s last album, of course, before Lateralus, which she said she oved.

I again got there first and got us a table. Vicky ran a little late but greeted me warmly with a quick hug and voiced her approval when I presented her my handiwork. She said she definitely would check out Thirteenth Step and let me know what she thought.

The date was fairly short because of the lateness of the hour, but it again seemed to go well. I walked her to her car and asked to see her again. In my mind, it now was time to go on a real date—dinner, a movie, and, well, we’ll see what happens after that. The Clippers started a road trip the Thursday before, so now I had fee time at night.

She agreed and sealed her agreement with a brief but hot makeout session in her car. Hot damn! Next Friday couldn’t come soon enough.

And with that, we’ve reached the midpoint of this here blog--ironically on the occasion of my sister's 45th birthday. We’re halfway home.