guys - get a clue

Being married gives me the luxury to meet new people without the pressure of trying to get them into bed or a relationship. I'm not sure if it's a national trend, but here in Seattle, I have a feeling that the sensitive guy of the 80's has been replaced by the political guy of the 00's. I wonder if the word on the streets is: "Seattle girls totally go for a guy jazzed about politics. Plus, they aren't into commitment and they've got this whole poly thing, so everyone is fair game. It's the independent-woman/sex-and-the-city-thing."

I can't remember what he opened with, but enough that I could tell he wanted to talk.
me: "What's your name?"
sex-crazed politico: "[name withheld]. Are you going to vote this year? I mean, you gotta vote, we gotta get Bush out of office."
me: "Yes. I'm going to vote."
SCP: "Seattle's cool, but Bellevue is a totally different world." [He pauses. gauging my reaction. trying to determine if I was from the East Side or from Seattle."] Your vote is so important because there will be a lot of people voting for Bush. I'm here with the Kerry campaign and doesn't it just make you want to go out and recruit voters? I mean, some people really believe Bush. Some people in America really like the guy."

I tried to add something about my recent road trip and the political dynamics in my family that allow me to see multiple perspectives of issues, but I hadn't even finished my sentence when he interupted with, "I live in San Francisco and leave for the Democratic National Convention tomorrow."

Hmm. Not listening + Only in town for one night + Diving into a current hot topic = One night stand, no strings attached. Yawn. "Isn't that an awfully serious topic for a rock show?"

I don't even think he said goodbye before he stood up and walked away.


Another popular strategy is name-dropping, especially backstage at a rock show. It works best if your tight leather pants and ego are not circa 1993. i.e., don't do this:
Aging rocker: "I'm [name withheld]"
me: "hello"
AR "Don't you know who I am?"
me "Sorry, no. Could you give me some history?"
AR "Ever hear of Alice in Chains?"
me "yes! I love them. What instrument do you play?"
AR "I shot their video"
me "Wow! You did the videos for Alice in chains?!"
AR "I have all sorts of bands on videotape...Nirvana, Soundgarden..."
Sorry dude, but shooting video of famous people doesn't make you famous, especially when it was 10 years ago and you haven't done anything since then.