Tell me now, what'll I have to do?

Okay, I know I promised to talk about S. yesterday, but, there's not much to say. My plans for today got washed out. So, I'll fill you in on what is going on.

S. is someone else I know from bowling. Her Mom (JA) bowls on one of the other teams, and S. comes along to drink wine with their team. JA loves me. She's also rather obvious when trying to fix her daughter up with people.

First was my coworker Christian. He went to a happy hour with them after bowling once - he had a girlfriend already. JA was very obvious with the maneuvering. I didn't really realize how obvious until she found out I was newly divorced.

First came the happy hour invites.

Then came the updates on S. to encourage the two of us to speak to each other.

I never really paid it much mind until S. actually invited me to a happy hour.

S. is a tall, beautiful woman. I am particularly keen on tall women.

A week passed and it was the day of the happy hour. I sent an email to S., JA and JA's team mate asking about the happy hour. S. responded to me immediately about it. Some small talk over email continues for the rest of the day.

That night when I get there (late due to other commitments), JA pipes up with "S. wasn't planning on coming until she found out you were coming."

Interesting.

Even more interesting is the look from S. It reads plainly as "Oh, God."

I talk with S. a little bit that night before she heads out with a friend of hers. I realize that she's not only physically attractive, but a person I can relate to. She's got a good sense of humor, an outgoing personality and she's open minded. These are all very critical things to me.

I leave that night with her on my mind.

A couple of weeks later, as a final fling for the bowling league, our Fearless Leader, Marc, arranges for a happy hour. Since S. was always there with JA's team, he invited her as well. When I get to the bar, S. and another of her friends are there already.

I sit next to the friend, and Chris sits on the other side of me - this was at Chris' suggestion, since he's trying to make up for the K. fiasco and he knows I'm now interested in S.

The night goes good. I talk to S. and her friend for a while, then her friend leaves. Just in time for JA to turn up.

First, JA sits between S. and I, who are chatting back and forth, but only for a minute before S. goes to use the restroom. As soon as she's gone, JA moves over to take her daughters chair so S. will be sitting next to me.

As I said, she's really obvious.

When S. comes back, we continue to talk. We end up talking for several hours, including JA in one some of the talks, and just having a generally good time.

During the conversation, I find out that the 20th (today) is S.'s birthday, and her friends aren't doing anything for her, but are going out for another friend. S. jokes around that she wants me to give her flowers, balloons and a card for her birthday so at least someone commemorates it.

Well, that's what I did today.

I got her flowers, three balloons, a card and a 3 disc Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band set.

Yes, she's a Jersey Girl.

Today my plan was to ask her out tonight. I went to see her (oh, yeah - forgot to mention that she's a coworker too) - she thanked me for the gifts, stating that they made her day. I small talked for a few moments. Note that I'm not too good at just showing up at women's desks and making conversation. I'm very self conscious and I feel like I'm being a stalker and am an unwanted presence.

During the small talk, however, I determined that she was in fact going to this surprise party for this other friend that all her friends were ditching her over.

So, there goes the plan of taking her out.

However, a ray of sun!

She told me that next weekend she's not doing anything.

I'm hoping to ask her out next week for that. Suggestions of how to ask and where to go are more than welcome...