Windy City Chronicles

[jimbobebop]

Oh to be 22 and know about the community I would for sure have a STD

macallik, don’t worry about numbers at all. If you build enough rapport she will give it to you. Then you know she won’t flake. Other wise your wasting energy. When building Rapport remember its push and pull while showing higher social value through storytelling, body language and frame control. Remember you lose social value with direct openers. Try opinion openers with time restraints for a while. Then change the subject in a way that shows higher social value. Neg her in a light harded way for examples; we would be so great together, to bad I’m not into blondes today, your hair would look better down or you have pretty eyes like in those Japanese cartoons. When approaching sets remember to talk to the group not just the target. Matter of a fact neglect the target at this point or neg her to the group example wow you can dress her up but you can’t take her anywhere. Treat her like you bratty little sister. She will try to show value to you by talking to you because this is your frame and she feels left out. In a nut shell that’s how you build attraction.

Next is to build comfort. Oh you’re into x so cool I find x so interesting. Make her give you reasons to like her for more then just here looks .At this point stop with the negs and even in the attraction phase maybe only throw 2 or 3 negs any more then that you come off like a jerk. Negs should be used to disqualify your self so she puts her guard down. Just remember to incorporate playful light touching like high fives, head pats while saying that’s cute or booty bumps. Try not to make out with her at any point; this will give her buyer remorse when you call her. The only thing women hate more then a needy guy is awkward social situations. At that point you might encounter **** tests like oh I don’t know I have a boy friend. Just blow past it with comments like cool I have a bunny rabbit, we should walk them together sometime or yeah I think you have the wrong Idea, I’m not into guy guy girl threesomes. If there is attraction it doesn’t matter if they have a mate. I’ve pulled a Lesbos before so trust me it’s easy if you think it’s easy. Frame frame frame my friend.

Here you have two options one night lays which never ends in a lasting relationship or go for a day two. One night stands aren’t hard but have a lot to do with logistics and frame control which I don’t think you have down at this point. With day twos set a common interest and make a date of it. Even if it’s lame like oh you like Mexican food, I know this great place I’m free Wednesday we’ll hit it up. Don’t ask her tell her. That’s the only way you should get a number. Bottom line throw out your book of 1980’s pick up lines and read books on social interaction. Oh and great writing, Even though your stories are kind of boring you write so well I couldn’t stop reading. You got talent my friend, you’ll go far.

 

[macallik]

Iqqi
My mindset is actually coming from a place where the last woman I went out drinking was this experience. Prior to that, the other time I remember meeting up with a chick I know at a club was a FB who ended up drinking too much Kahlua, slapping her friend’s baby daddy, crying inconsolably and begging me not to stop seeing her.

Although going drinking with a girl I met drinking seems like lateral movement, and I certainly don’t subscribe in the slightest to women needing to be drunk to fvck me, I will field-test your idea. The idea of dressing up gives the interaction importance and could be a nice move and I am willing to try whatever for Day 2's. The thing is though, I have only frequented spots with big bass and big ass, so could you possibly suggest some quiet lounges here in the Chi please?

Jimbobebop
Great name... I likey the alliteration... I likey the feedback. What I didn't like was the part where you said my stories are boring but you couldn’t stop reading. First you neg me and then you underhandedly compliment me. I’ve never had anyone talk to me like this… These conflicting ideas throw my mind in a tizzy and make me wonder constantly about the kind of person you are…. I feel like… like… like I am falling for you. I have this tingling sensation after reading your posts that starts deep down and works its way here *points to self*. It burns with such ferocity that it is like my heart has Chlamydia! I feel this connection towards your post that makes me feel so alive! You know like that feeling you had in high school when your crush’s eyes just seemed to call for you, compliment you and complete you. Society might not like it but when I read your posts it is like nothing else matters. Forget society and let’s get our what what in the butt on!

Ahahaha joking aside, opinion openers and most of the lines you suggested aren’t my style but you addressed the issue that I need to find a healthy balance of rapport and attraction (primarily through push and pull) and I agree completely.

Over the last couple days I have been hypothesizing that going straight for rapport displays lowers value/is supplication because she has done nothing other than look cute and is not invested in the conversation as a result. The problem stemmed from me wanting something long term and deciding to turn down the volume on the ****iness and completely disregarding the push and pull. I can harness my inner asswhole if I wanted so I figured that going 180 and getting rapport would be easy pickings but nope.

As for getting useless #s, I expected flakes but I thought I would be able to turn SOME of the chicks around. I am realizing that it is a lot harder than I thought and it beats up my ego too much. If I mix push and pull with the rapport as you mentioned, my awkward convos will drop off and my flake % should drop dramatically. Good insight man. +1

Saturday Night
I stayed in Friday night because I went out and had a lackluster Thursday night. Today, after little contemplation, I decided it was time to try a new spot. I am officially tired of the Zentra and Boutique crowd. Too many balls and the chicks are too uptight. I actually spent close to two hours trolling Yelp and citysearch for a club to go to. After much searching it was nearing 9:00 and I hadn't even jumped in the shower so I quicky pulled the trigger on Cactus Bar and Grill. The Dj that was playing there tonight did a good job at a different club I went to previously, so it was settled.

After a shower and a selection from my wardrobe, I copied the directions off of Google maps and onto my blackberry and prepared for another exciting time in the Chicago nightlife.

When I got to Cactus Bar and Grill, it was actually bigger than I thought and they got fvcking Heineken on tap!!! Definitely scored some points for the alcoholic in me. It was not as many people or girls I was digging as say… Secrets Nightclub, but it was a decent amount of chickitas. To summarize, I grinded on some girls here and there and ended up getting rejected more than usual for some reason.

The highlight of the night is that I ended up meeting this plain looking chick. Nothing really stood out with her in terms of looks but she had the body type I like and she was drunk so why the fvck not. While in her vicinity, she asked me why I wasn’t dancing, so I beckoned her over to dance with me and she didn’t. Her friends laughed at me when that happened but I don’t care. I grinded on a couple girls in front of the skinny chick and then I easily picked her off later in the night.

It was tons of grinding and dirty dancing with Gina (the plain chick) and I. After a couple songs of vertical pseudo-sex, for some foolish reason she decided that I was strong enough to support the both of us so she wrapped her legs around my thighs and for a brief 2-3 minutes, dancing on the dancefloor felt more like a set of squats at the gym.

Eventually my legs gave out and we ended up on the underside of the bar that at one point in time was supporting us, and then she realized that she needed to stand on her own. It goes without saying that my quads are on fire right now. Right now my legs feel like when I used to circuit the stadium steps for training on my soccer team back in the day.

It wasn't only dirty dancing and tired muscles though between us luckily. While we were grinding, I started biting/licking her neck which led to some decent making out. It was weird coz I could slip my hands in her panties and had full access in the back but not the front which was kinda strange. Hopefully she isn’t hiding a d!ck and balls in the front seat, smh. That would not be cool beans, in fact, that would be the opposite of cool beans.

But yea, I grabbed her digits and will invite her out to the club tomorrow for a Day 2. It is likely low interest coz all that really happened was dancing and feeling her up but we’ll see.

 

[iqqi]

Iqqi
My mindset is actually coming from a place where the last woman I went out drinking was this experience. Prior to that, the other time I remember meeting up with a chick I know at a club was a FB who ended up drinking too much Kahlua, slapping her friend’s baby daddy, crying inconsolably and begging me not to stop seeing her.

Well sounds like you were hanging with some classless broads.

And you don't have to get drunk. Just a martini or ****tail. Maybe two! And take it from there. You can end the date after just a quick drink or two and leave her wanting more for next time, or if it escalates you can take her right back to your place BAM.

Lounges to check out:
Red Canary
Suite Lounge
The Signature lounge at 96th in the Hancock
Almost any hotel lounge with a view
M Lounge

The thing about lounges, is they still get packed on many weekend nights, so aim for a weekday night, when the place will NOT be packed, and maybe drinks specials, because drinks also tend to cost a lot at lounges. Lounges are not your $4 rum and coke kind of spots. They are classy, and have the notion their clientele has a few bucks for drinks and apps. The Signature Lounge in the hancock is the highest up you'll get with a breathtaking view of the city. Take a girl here, whom you really want to impress. Drinks will run you a small fortune, but you are really paying for the view and experience, which is worth a ****tail each. You'd pay just as much, if not more, just for the view if you went to the observatory a few floors below. You are higher up, no entry fee, so the drinks could be considered free! Not to mention the impression you make on the dame. But go first once by yourself, have a $15 ****tail, and get a feel of the place.

 

[macallik]

Iqqi
Wow. $15 drinks Iqqi. If I buy two rounds then I am out $60 bucks. I’m not dismissing your idea but I’ll save it on the top shelf for when a girl has proven herself to be worth my time and money and we enjoy each other’s company. There will be no investing of women in that nature in this journal until then though. I’ll take them to the hole in the wall spots that are littered throughout Chicago to field test your lounge (now reads: bar) theory.


So hmmmmm. What's new? Nothing much actually. About 2 hrs ago, I was gonna catch this special screening of a movie that I was interested in but I got the time wrong, so here I am, updating the ole sosuave journal/man-diary/blog thingy.

I guess something worth reporting is that yours truly (sans the madly and deeply) went to a Chicago Lair meeting. To be completely honest, it was not bad although it was a teeny bit weird at times. With a group of men getting together discussing women, I expected a lot of bravado and egotisisms but it was pretty chill.

The meeting was in the backroom of a restaurant, which made for a cool vibe. It honestly felt like some kinda speakeasy or meeting place for an illegal activity getting there, but once inside, it was overly chummy, if not contrived at times, but whatever. I noticed little awkward things like if people were conversing and someone asked for a name, there was this brief hesitation at times like, “Do I give my real name or my handle” in their heads haha. Sign of the times.

Everyone had varying degrees of skills, looks and age so it was a pretty diverse group and not a bunch of Aryan robots dressed up in peacocking gear asking ‘Who lies more’ like the consensus at SoSuave seem to believe... granted I haven’t seen them in the field so they might be like that lol. I did notice there was a lot more emphasis on the seminars, books and methods with this crowd. As a result, they are at times overly mechanical but also actually refreshing, believe it or not. Too many guys here at SoSuave don’t do their homework so the board is in its perpetual state of asinine questions. I never understood why there was this binary “We are the good guys and they are the bad guys” opposition here at SS.

Updates
Amber: Arranged a hang out and she said she isn't sure if she can make it, can I check back with her later. To summarize I told her no, if we see each other again then it was meant to be. I would have deleted her # but I figured it is childish. I still have no intention of contacting her.
Gina: Haven't bothered to hit her up really. I can do better
Estelle: Still haven't called. She got a crazy work schedule

Nothing to report other than that. I am rereading the archives of a poster from fastseduction that I've truthfully read previously years ago. I guess you could call me stubborn, but I don’t want to read about the newest method on bitseduce or the sure-fire way to get my text game better. I think its because I feel like the hardships and successes you encounter on the journey are personal and I would rather travel off the beaten path than follow someone else's journey.

With that said, if I reach a dead end, I will definitely look for footsteps in the area to get back on track...

 

[iqqi]

Iqqi
Wow. $15 drinks Iqqi. If I buy two rounds then I am out $60 bucks.

Well in a lot of cases, you buy the first round, and she will offer to buy the second round. Anyways, I don't even condone that if you are trying to impress her, but it just should be said. $15 is the very high end of the lounge spectrum. Check out a few places and their menus, you should be able to find a few good places with better drink prices, not to mention a few places with half off specials during the week. That way, if she DID decide to spring for a few drinks, you wouldn't have to feel bad "letting" her. Wink wink.

Don't be lazy. Lounges are awesome settings for first dates.

 

[macallik]

Wats hannenning fam. Yesterday I went to Columbia University over on Wabash because they were screening a film for free. I showed up five minutes before the movies started, 10 minutes max and strolled into the reasonably sized lecture hall with a movie projector all the way in the back. Inside... I had to dodge tumbleweeds.

There was one couple in there and the male joked that the movie must be starting on CPT when I strolled in. I didn't laugh, but it was pretty funny and relevant looking back. People strolled in a little more frequently as time waned on. Picture a lecture hall about a quarter full and spread sparsely. Mostly Columbia Film Students would be my guess. There was not many hotties but there was one girl that caught my eye.

She came in with a friend who was walking a couple feet behind of her. When the cutie was walking I made eye contact and she hesitated before coming to a standstill in the middle of the row in front of mine. Her friend caught up to her and said aloud, "Why we gotta sit up front, lets go sit in the back". The cute chick did what I believe to be a quick glance in my direction and told her friend no. They did move further down their row than where I was situated however.

A couple more people ambled in here and there and I get a little eye contact with the cute chick. After a brief introduction by the professor complete with shameless plugging of his own movie with a trailer of imo a sub-par, straight to DVD film, the screening was underway.

The movie was called Sprung. It was made a decade and some change ago. It was bad. I'm not Michael Jackson bad. I'm talking 'I don't think that it is an ingrown hair anymore because it is starting to burn when I pee' bad. When you are watching a movie for free and feel like you deserve some kind of compensation.... yeah. It was definitely funny here and there but it was just all around bad other than that.

It got to the point where I had to get out of the lecture hall and take a quick walk to stop from constantly rolling my eyes. I took a walk around the 8th floor, stopping in the mirror of the bathroom to ask myself why I haven't just gotten my sh!t and left. As I walked back in the hall, the cute chick was walking out and I sidestepped with a light formal apology. Oh yeah, that is why. Well that and there was a panel to discuss the film and I would enjoy listening to them pull the film apart.

So the movie ends after an eternity and the panel start discussing the film. What a disappointment. They were searching for meaning to the point where they grasped anything they could get. They talked about how there was a sequence of black and white during the film which is the purest form of photography like it was the next Citizen Kane and threw the word 'sophisticated' around way too much. I remember the brief minute of the film in black and white but I also remember that a) it was a montage in a romantic comedy. Ummm cliched and taking a shortcut for $100 Alex b) it was sh!tty acting c) it was contrived

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the friend of the girl that caught my eye is getting ready to go. She just bounces, leaving her friend alone. The cute chick stays by herself looking around a little before she gets ready to leave a couple minutes later. She is sitting there with her jacket on and her bookbag primed and ready to go so I am running out of time. I leave the Hall under the pretense of making a phone call.

I casually look out the window of the building for about a minute before I get antsy and decide to take a walk. After another minute or two I am getting ready to give up when I hear the room's large doors click back in place. I do a little speedwalk/quick jog around the corner and 'bump' into the cutie by the elevator.

Macallik: Hey I was waiting for you to leave so I could casually bump into you out here haha. Whats up.
Ciara: *smiles and says something I can't remember*

So we talk a little, where ya from, do you go here, how is it blah blah. My hands couldn't stay still. I was all fidgety and sh!t. Need to do more day game. Anyways not too much I remember

Macallik: But yea, *looks her up and down* I like your style
Ciara: Awww thank you
Macallik: Oh yea, don't mention it, feel free to throw a compliment or two my way ya know.
Ciara: *Giggles*
Ciara: ....you are a very handsome guy

Man, if I was white, she would have seen my cheeks go bright red after that comment. But I'm not. So I hesitate for a millisecond before thanking her and telling her that it all I really want, someone in my life that tells me how goodlooking I am.

Blah blah rah rah ray ray. We talk for a bit more and then I grab the digits. Not the best convo I have had but I have gotten more play from less great convos and vice versa. I am not sure she is compatible with me based on the fact that she not only liked the movie but has seen it multiple times. I'll keep yall updated.

But yea, I stroll back into the lecture hall and the Q&A with the panel was underway. The panel was a , a writer on a 'hit' drama series, playwriter/professor and a retired writer from the past. The screenwriter from the 'hit' series was about as cliched a pretentious Hollywood person as you could imagine. He kept name dropping and mentioning how he was friends with the Director, he started over three sentences with, "Because I live in Hollywood, I am used to..." and just all around douchery. He had recently finished up working on a remake of Superfly for Christs sake.

The professor/playwriter on the panel OTOH didn't instill confidence in her beliefs to me because she spoke too fast and nervous, but any person who searches for meaning in Sprung I would probably skip a lecture on anyways. The retired writer guy was aite. He did some writing back in the Harlem Renaissance or durin some black movement in years gone and didn't seem as close minded but he did say stuff I disagreed with.

In retrospect, the only thing worse than the movie was listening to people trying to defend it. One of the 'professional' panelist had the nerve to say that probably the greatest black movie of all time, Love Jones, was not as deep or symbolic to the black community as Sprung. What was worse was that the crowd was full of brownnosing, spineless Film Students trying their darndest to parrot the authority figures for a higher grade. Right there I was probably visibly shaking in disbelief and my hand shot up for a turn on the mic.

However, before I got my chance, this woman tore the film the fvck apart. She was harsher than I would have been but everything she said was real talk. I voiced my opinion a little after her comment was basically ignored because, to paraphrase, she didn't work in Hollywood so she shouldn't criticize (no points for guessing which panelist said that).

I took a Intro to film class which kinda makes me an expert on the quality of films and it sucked.

Okay okay. An intro to film class does not make me an expert, but I know sh!t when I see it and this film stunk to the high heaven. The pretentious Hollywood dude attributed to a lack of budget which is true... if the lack of budget meant the studio decided to pay for actors that cant act, writers that cant write and editors that cant edit.

Anyways I voiced my opinions and then the event ended about 10 minutes afterwards. Another experience in Chicago under my belt.

 

[Effington]

Hey man, great read; I'm loving it. I'm a Chicago guy myself, a north sider. I don't hit up the clubs very often, but if you're down for a Gold Coast / Lincoln Park / Lakeview excursion sometime, let me know. I'm guessing you will find more people your age in Lincoln Park, although it may be a bit "bright" for you.

Anyway, love the play-by-play. Your persistence is great! The only comment I'd have, in my not-so-expert opinion, is that I've had the same type of results as you with the opener and 5 minute chat. If you can turn that into a full night and carry good conversation for awhile, that's where I've had better success.

Keep it up!

 

[macallik]

Thanks Effington. we can definitely hit up the night scene or run day game sometime. I need to try out some new venues and 'bright' people aren't a problem as long as there is some diversity. I get what you are saying with the short length of the approaches not working in my favor and I will try and tweak it a bit in upcoming approaches.



This past Sunday afternoon I went to a Chicago Pick up meeting, it was a debriefing for new members. The location was some random restaurant along the Blue Line. The last meeting they had was in an empty backroom of a restaurant but this time we occupied a bar table in the middle of the Sunday brunch hour, with the bar countertop and dining booths flanking us on either side.

It was definitely awkward initially for me at least. Imagine a group of guys glancing over overview printouts and listening to a member discussing social anxieties while the waitress lightly pestered the group to buy something so she could get a tip. Trying to find that volume medium where the group members could hear you, but not the bar patrons five feet away, seemed like an issue for everyone but it could have just been my imagination.

However, other than the initial awkwardness, the orientation was cool. Mostly basic stuff for guys new to the community like what is a Field Report, what is a keyboard jockey, etc, but they did touch on getting better in the community. I realized then that I do need to put in more effort to get more results. I’m gonna start implementing the 3 second rule in my life a bit more instead of waiting for indications that a girl is interested. After the meeting ended, CougarW, the man leading the orientation, stayed around and just fielded questions and shot the sh!t with those of us who stayed a bit longer. Cool dude.

Onto Ciara. I talked to her on the phone and she relayed what she wanted… a long-term relationship. She is shooting straight from the hip concerning it too. She has been ready for exclusivity before I even stepped on the scene I would say. As flattering as that is *rolling eyes emoticon here*, a monogamous relationship between us would not work out, I can tell.

Anyways, Sunday night we are on the phone. It is partly ‘getting to know each other’ conversation, but mostly just talking for the sake of talk. I am on the other side of the phone, anxiously watching as the clock slowly inches by the time-limit I set by which to leave the house and go clubbing. Half of my mind is invested in the convo and the other half is focused on cleaning my room while not spilling any of the rum I am pregaming with. Soon, my half-hearted following of the convo leads into searching for the opportune time to end it. The conversation had its moments, but we had also talked for over an hour the night before so my boredom threshold was considerably lower.

Eventually I get her off the phone and head out to paarty. Because Filthy Libertines is closing soon, Soiree’s Sunday ‘Perfection’ party was held there instead. I gotta say I am indifferent about Libertine closing. The crowd is wack and they layout is even worse. It feels like a lounge that people try and pass off as a club. I went there and the spot ended at 1:30. Un-befvcking-lievable. No fight, no policia or even a broken subwoofers and they cut the music. That is unheard of to me. Fvck these youngsters and their trashy parties, I thought as I strolled over to the +21 Zentra.

Zentra on a Sunday was pretty decent, save for the high male turnout. I grabbed a Heniken and danced with a couple girls before changing gears to birdwatching on the edge of the dancefloor, thanks in part to the male-dominated crowd. One of the girls that I think I danced with already then came up to my face. She was skinny with a thick Chicago accent. Face and body was on point like I like it. Reminded me of Tyrese’s mother in that movie, “Baby Boy”.

Tonia: I see you there looking all cute with your great smile and teeth. *smiling*
Macallik: *Grins*
Tonia: How old are you
Macallik: Twenty-three
Tonia: Ok 23 huh… I’m 32

Can’t remember if anything else was said afterwards, but we grinded for a bit. She was dancing on me like she was tryina get my approval too. You know, sometimes women put in that extra oomph and turn it up a notch on the dancefloor. So I grabbed my balls and attempted to isolate her to the couches and she laughed it off. After that she bounced to start dancing with this guy next to her. Whatever, ten minutes go by and I have shifted my attention to blatantly checking out this girl by the ‘”vip” section. Tonia comes back and taps me on the shoulder to break my trance.

Tonia: *says something I can’t remember*
Macallik: haha. I may be young but I know a tease when I see one *backturn*
Tonia: *Goes and dances with the next guy*
So yeah, after that she didn’t try and get with the kid anymore to dance. Could be too assholish but sometimes a little being a jerk can weed out the d!ck-teases from the DTF. I didn’t get any forward from anyone after that and the night slowed to a standstill it felt like. I attempted to dance with others but they weren’t having it.

So the night is winding down and the gender ratio is getting worse. I see Tonia leaving and just post up by the exit, just in case. Ok so she is hugging the bouncer and then our eyes meet and she comes over.
Tonia: *gets real close to me* Hey why don’t I have your number yet?
*# closes*
Macallik: That’s it? I don’t get a kiss or anything?
So then, Tonia leans in and kisses me right on the edge of my mouth, in-between the corners of my lips and my laughlines. It was too far off to be a real bad attempt, but too close to just be friendly. I called around 11 last night and no response, then I texted her today and no response. No rapport in the club so not surprising but damn. Even when they give me their # they don’t want me to call now huh, lol. Chicago women are tough teachers but I am learning.

Yesterday I went to study with Ciara coz she wanted to see me sooner than the day we decided. Studied, decent touching and eye contact, couple hours and then we bounced. Probably could have tried kissing her somewhere in there but didn't.

Plates:
Tonia: I got in contact with her thru text a couple minutes ago. She was drunk so she doesn't remember much from that night. I told her to check out a pic and if she doesn't like it, don't respond.
Eva: This is a new chick I met while leaving Soiree about a week or two ago. I got the facebook which transitioned to the digits. Cute chick. I think I can get a day 2 out of it, we'll see.
Ciara: Flaked on movies this evening. Kinda surprised at that, but so we go sometimes.

 

[macallik]

Went to Green Dolphin to check it out their Thursday night. The price was pretty steep at $20 after 11:30 but it was a decent crowd. I didn't get anything going until late at night so this report basically starts at like 2am even though I got there like 11:50pm. If I reported on everything else it would just be me walking aimlessly back and forth in the club.

Inside as the night is progressing, who should I see but Tonia walking into the club. She recognizes me while entering and says "Hey whats up youngster" as she gives and gives me a kiss on the cheek that screamed platonic before walking by and scanning the crowd. I know where I stand with her now.

So later on in the night, my night is the weaksauce and I find myself trying to bump into Tonia because nothing else is biting and I danced with her when she was drunk a couple days ago, yall know how that is, smh. She is getting it in with this dude and her friend is by herself. Her friend is cute, short, and mid-to-dark complexion wearing a black top and some dark jeans. Possibly better looking in retrospect but of course my mind was focused on the 'sure thing', Tonia. I decided to go in on the girl to get Tonia's attention and jumpstart my night.

Twenty minutes later, what started as a plot to make Tonia jealous ended up as a dance partner for five songs straight. She was grinding on me, and actually took my hand and guided me when her and Tonia relocated to a new spot. However, I tried to escalate and go for the makeout and she turned her face which was a buzzkill. After that I bounced.

While perusing the scene, I bumped into this next chick , Silvia, who I danced with earlier and she wanted me to have a dance competition with her. I started dancing and then didn't feel like I was doing that good and ejected on her shortly thereafter, felt like I was saving face.

10-15 minutes pass and I see Tonia's friend and Silvia near each other. Fvck it, what do I have to lose I thought as I picked which one I was going in on first.

So I go in and caveman Silvia and take her digits right next to Tonia's friend. I forgot to save it the first time around so she had to retype it again. I think the whole club knew I got digits by the time I finished with her. Then after Silvia left to talk to a friend, I grabbed Tonia's friend and start grinding on her, before getting bored and beckoning Silvia over and ask her what she is doing later on tonight mid-grind with Tonia's friend. Unfortunately Silvia lives in Naperville so nothing happening there.

After Silvia leaves the area I go to grab the digits from Tonia's friend but she messed up typing her # in my phone so the 2nd time around she hands me her IPhone so I type my digits in. I told her give me a call sometime or delete my # if she isn't interested and walk away. She is cute but I am indifferent nowadays if I don't get any rapport. It is almost pointless.

So yeah. Technically only one new set of digits but it was two honestly. Since I don't have Tonia's friend's # in my phone I don't have her name either hence the lack of one in this report. If she hits me up with her name, it will be in the journal. As for Silvia, she is 24 and seems interested but lord knows how she will feel tomorrow. Also if you get a chance, check out 'Silvia' by Dirty South and Sebastian Ingrosso on Youtube. Brand spanking new and a fvcking banger.

 

[itishe]

I skimmed through your journal and I notice you seem to have the same problem I do. Light conversation -> Get number -> Call and she doesn't answer/call back -> if we do set something up it she wants to be friends/isn't interested in dating.

Your convos/intros are a lot longer/wittier/funnier than mind so this worries me about my progress. Do you ever kind of get tired of trying to land plates that don't ever seem to land properly?

 

[macallik]

I skimmed through your journal and I notice you seem to have the same problem I do. Light conversation -> Get number -> Call and she doesn't answer/call back -> if we do set something up it she wants to be friends/isn't interested in dating.

Your convos/intros are a lot longer/wittier/funnier than mind so this worries me about my progress. Do you ever kind of get tired of trying to land plates that don't ever seem to land properly?

Yup it is frustrating at times but what other alternative is there? Sometimes I'll take a couple days off of thinking about women and then jump back into the scene, that helps.

I thought about your question for a couple days. To elaborate some more flakes don’t affect me like they did when I first started approaching or even when I started this journal. To be honest, a lot of the club flakes are me just making the same mistake concerning rapport/attraction repeatedly, so it is GIGO in that aspect. The flakes that seemed like a sure thing still eat me up initially but I forget all about them in that time between meeting a new girl and handing her my phone to type her number into.

Another reason I don't get too frustrated is that I have had success before so I know what I am capable of. Unsurprisingly it started off almost exactly like my journal is going: rejections and flaking... but then things just started clicking and it became effortless. That is perhaps why I don't sweat it as much... strong winds make stronger trees.

My suggestion to you is that every time you hit that wall, question what went wrong instead of becoming bitter. I still doubt or question my beliefs, theories and my internal view of myself at times because self-doubt is a way of building stronger faith (credit: Kierkegaard). You should take pride in piecing together your problems and constant recalibration because that is all life really is.

The whole scenario reminds me of the game Mario Kart that came standard with some Nintendo 64s I believe. I was addicted to the game back in the days when you had to blow on cartridges and buy rumble paks for controllers, and I played the sh!t out of it to the point that the CPU controlled racers were no longer relevant in the races. Before I got a new videogame (I want to say Perfect Dark) and retired Mario Kart, I started playing Time Trial Mode.

To those of you unfamiliar, Time Trial or 'Ghost mode' was a race against a holographic image of yourself from a previous race. It was surprisingly time consuming because I always feel like I could do a liiiiiiittle bit better. An unintended effect of playing Ghost Mode was that I was able to see my driving objectively which allowed me to become a better driver and find ways to shave seconds off lap speed.

This ties into calibration because, if you MUST look at success comparatively, the only way it is ‘fair’ is to compare to your former self. So if it takes me 100 flakes to get a good LTR, then next I will be looking to get the next LTR it in less than 100 flakes, etc. Forget about the guy talking about fvcking 3 girls in a week or the guy who just had a threesome (the good kind, btw) Competition with others brings out the worst in people but competition with yourself brings out the best in yourself.

You do have to be honest with yourself and make sure that you are pushing your boundaries and not setting the bar too low but you sound like the kind of guy that will do that automatically. Good luck man and don't be afraid to start a journal coz feedback helps a lot too.

 

[macallik]

Okay. So Thursday I attempted to set up a movie date with Eva on Saturday. She said her afternoon was booked but she was free for an evening viewing on Saturday. Nice. During the setting up process, I decided to break my normal rule and pay for her ticket subconsciously but then she actually asked me if I was paying. I busted her on it and said I was thinking about it until she brought it up and then she backpedaled and I told her relax, I got it. Definite red flag right there. Whatever, I don't pay often so I figured I'd mix it up but I doubt I will be doing this at all again on a first date unless the girl has proven herself to be quality off the bat.

As for the date, I thought it went decent. Not amazing but banter here and there and as much talking is feasible in the terrible first date scenario known as a movie theater. It was a cool experience going into a multilevel multiplex like that. Still had the Chicago feel to it as the theater lightly rumbled as an El train went by.

I was not thinking things through so I had no idea what I was gonna do after the movie. (Un)fortunately there was no need for me to ponder the situation because she took me straight to the subway right after it was over. I mean we were talking and all for the duration of the walk but there was no chance at a segue, just a hug as we parted ways @ the station intersection.

I flirted with her a bit on Sunday afternoon and stopped coz I was tryina line things up with Ciara. When I hit her up today to set up something she didn't respond. I texted her about 5 hrs later and she said that she forgot about my text coz she was busy. Telltale sign of low interest. I told her 'no prob I will talk to her later' but that is only if I don't get any better prospects in the immediate future. She is not at the bottom of the pile, but after 'forgetting' a text, she is close.


Ciara
Okay so she had canceled on me twice after I had called her out on moving too fast concerning relationship expectations between us. I am ready to drop her to the bottom of the pile if she doesn't hang out with me this Wednesday.

Or so I was.

This past Sunday she asked if I wanted to accompany her while she shopped but it didn't work out. She said she wants to study with me on Monday at my place instead. Cool beans. So Monday rolls around and she seems a teeny bit hesitant on the phone but she ends up at my house around 3-4 pm. Studying is going good. I am laying the kino on a bit early on, not on my caveman sh!t from the club but just like hands on shoulders here and there. She calls me out on it but I have been accused of far worse than being touchy feely with a girl that is interested in me so I am unfazed.

She has two papers she needs to tackle and has not started so I decide to actually study during the hangout instead of go for rapport or whatever. Hours go by silently with the odd words/flirting and then as expected, things start escalating: sitting between my legs, massages, etc etc, you all know how it goes. High school stuff. Long story short, I didn't fvck but it DID burn when I pee thanks to dry humping through jeans. I was literally trying to get it in irrespective of multiple layers of clothing sheathing our sexual organs. Oh and FYI with a little known fact: Trying to stay in the mood with Law and Order: SVU on in the background talking about baby rapers is extremely hard and counterproductive.

I like her but I don't know if we are as compatible as I want my toppa top plate to be. She is still quality though. I'll keep yall posted.

 

[macallik]

As promised here is an update on Ciara. Last week, I took her for a night on the town for her birthday. We went to movie of her choosing and then a Jazz lounge. The movie was mediocre but the Jazz spot was cool. They had a lounge singer with two band members, a bartender that comes to your table and takes your order/delivers your drinks like the old black and white movies, etc. It was pretty empty even for a weekday though. The only other cute girls other than the one I brought was a lesbian couple that was a little tipsy at the bar.

Looking back it is a good date spot and was a good date. I had a couple drinks and started rambling about love in a post modern world like the spirit of Hank Moody had possessed me but it was still a good date lol. Sometimes I get stuck trying to win an argument instead of listening and acting accordingly so I need to work on that as a seducer.

A couple days later, Ciara invited me to study @ her place and offered me the option of staying the night since she stays in a a rough area around 69th on the Southside. Sounds great but the night was wack. Didn't get any action from her that night, although it wasn't from a lack of trying on my part. Also she fell asleep over n over. The next morning, we laid everything on the table and I made it clear what I wanted by making probably the worst pitch for an open relationship in the history of dating. She declined the idea because she thought that she would still end up being faithful to me even though I was sleeping around.

I definitely need to read up on the plate theory because I am 99% sure I botched this one coz of poor wording/reasoning. She suggested we can still be plutonic... no wait platonic friends, (we don't have superpowers ) but I won't get any of the benefits like sex or kissing. I have had a girl tell me this before eons ago and she caved quickly so I just acted indifferent to the statement.

Got a text late last night when I was out on the town and it was Ciara invited me over again. The night was going sh!ttly so I completely gave up and headed her way when i got the text. I was stonewalled again but clearly we are more than just platonic friends. She is hot and cold too much for my liking at the moment anyways. It probably has something to do with my actions and her being hesitant about the relationship but I am trying to be more upfront with things than I have been in the past.

Also, I should add that she is coming from a weird place due to her past relationships but I am not a fan of the cat and mouse game when I am in bed with someone. I am getting bored of getting stonewalled.



Yesterday afternoon, before going out and sleeping over Ciara's, I went to an event that honored this female Chicago Judge over at the Chicago Cultural Center on Washington St. There was a speech by Mayor Daley, singing of the national anthem, free food blah blah blah with the boring stuff. What did catch my attention was the high ratio of professional (and might I add cute) women and the disproportionate amount of men to keep them company, most of whom looked like suckers. I need to break into this niche because I would likely have more in common with a buppie than I would with the girl at the club humping me on the couch at the club I think.

After getting all riled up checking out all those sexy, professional, gorgeous women with their high heels or smart casual attire, I decided to swing to State Street for a stroll and possible swoonery. It is funny how opportunity never really presents itself when I am actively looking for it, but whatever. So, it is like 6:45 and although the Spring is finally taking the reigns from Winter out in the Midwest, it wasn't that great out for my walk. One look down the sidewalk and it is pretty clear that State St was a shadow of its former, pre-5pm, busy self. Oh well. I decided that I will walk to the DePaul Barnes N Noble, back to the Lake Street, and then call it a night and catch the train home.

So I am waiting at the crosswalk about 2-3 blocks from the DePaul Loop building and I see a cutie across the street. I check her out from across the street and she passes the test. Got on some sweat pants, a little thickness, cute face (from afar anyways at least). She jaywalks when the traffic slows up but I stay put and continue to check her out. As she walks by she glances up and makes eye contact while flashing a smile before she walks by.

I turn around but two people are blocking my way and ready to cross now that the pedestrian light has turned green. Arggghhh.

I see the girl slowly getting further and further away. Then I realize that this approach is a gimmie, a guaranteed thing almost. A smile like that is as good as a poke on facebook lol. So I part the crowd in a manner that would make Moses jealous and approach the cutie.

Macallik: So whats up? You just gonna smile and not come up and say hello.
Chick: *Smiles* Hello

Then she stops walking in front of that Baby Store around the Footlocker on State St. It is literally 10 feet from the crosswalk*

Chick:Actually I am going in here to apply for a job.
Macallik: Oh alright cool
Chick: *hesitates @ the door*
Macallik: Ayo let me get your number.
*# closes*
Macallik: oh and whats your name?
Chick: Florence
Florence: and what is your name?
Macallik: Macallik. Alright nice to meet ya. I'll ttyl
No rapport and I didn't like her teeth so I am probably not gonna call. I do need to start sticking in the conversation longer. My mind goes into autopilot too quickly and it turns into: get the digits -> eject

 

[macallik]

This past Friday, I decided to try something new and went out with a group of PUAs to a club I havent been to before. Unfortunately I didn’t get advice or critique on my approaches because I didn’t approach at all, smh. It was one of those nights. The spots we went to were English and LaSalle Power Co. which are not my kind of spot.

I must confess that @ LaSalle Power & Co, the idea of a band playing underneath records did work rather well at times, turning some boring songs into interesting mashups but it also ruined some decent songs as well. On the whole though, I haven't been to a club that played artists like Lady Gaga and Pink for about 4-5 years and I can go another 4-5 years now that I have experienced it again.

As for the honeys, there were about 3-4 girls I deemed worth the effort out of the 100-200 I saw that night but I didn’t pull the trigger. So even though the night seemed like a waste from the start, I still dropped the ball by not approaching the girls I was feeling. With such a low amount of options, each interaction seems waaay too pivotal and I get caught analyzing and trying to look cool end up with approach anxiety.


Yesterday I played phone tag with Ciara but we missed each other's calls. At night, I went to one of my regular clubbing spots solo and bumped into Ciara. Awkward. We both danced with other people, me doing so more than her. What is weird was that when I would hang with Ciara she would wander off shortly thereafter like she couldn't stand being around me.

One of the times this happened, I stuck my ground because there was a cutie next to me. I saw her looking out of the corner of her eye when I was talking to Ciara and I thought I saw her checkin me out earlier in the night.

Macallik: Hey can I get your opinion on something? What does it mean if you are with a girl but you guys aren't dating and you bump into each other in the club? How should you act or what should you do when she does X

From there, I just chatted to her for a bit. Didn't dance with her or try and fingerfvck her on the dancefloor because I am trying to get more solid numbers and less flakes so I am amping up the general conversation and toning down the escalating on the dancefloor. Plus, it really isn't that big of a deal in the clubs I go to, girls will bend over and simulate every sexual position possible on a dancefloor but when you call em the next day they don't pick up or screen your call.

After a while I grabbed digits. I don’t know if Ciara saw that or not, she was dancing with some cat while I was chatting her up the new chick (Tiara) but after I got the digits, when I looked up, Ciara was gone. In the club if I am too concerned about how women I know view me sometimes and whether I look cool or like I get b!tches. It is counterproductive.

Plates
​

Terrisa
She texted me saying "I know we haven't talked in a while but here is my new #" last week. She didn’t seem interested in the slightest before, as she stopped responding to texts and declined a movie date. Whatever. I waited a week and then texted her and set something up. Yesterday I told her I was going to an Open Mic event this afternoon and she is welcome to join. She told me she will get back to me, and today she told me she can’t make it.

However she did ask when else I was free during the week and we agreed on hanging out Thursday evening. Not holding my breath with Flakey McFlakerson here, so my Thursday is booked tentatively. I really wouldn't mind if she canceled coz word is that JayZ, Trey Songs and Drizzy Drake are supposed to be at Crobar after their concert so it is guaranteed to pop off.

Eva
She invited me to this March madness event she was promoting. It wasn’t like some personal invite, just a mass facebook invite. She did text me on the phone but it looked generic as well so I skipped the event. I’ll hit her up tomorrow to ask her how the event went perhaps and gauge her interest.

Estelle
Called her on Saturday and no response. She hasn’t called back yet. I am gonna invite her out to hang out next week and if she declines I am done with her. This whole talking every 3 weeks thing is getting bored and she isn’t making any effort if I don’t call so I think I am wasting my time

Ciara
I asked her if she wanted to hang out on Wednesday while I was at the club and she said okay but I gotta call her to verify it and let her know it wasn't just random drunk ramblings.

Florence
Never called her. Not interested enough

 

[macallik]

In the big city, sometimes you get stuck into a routine way of thinking or a mindset to combat the possible chaos each day can bring. Relationships are the same way... You hear people discussing them everywhere: on the train, in the streets and by the malls. Everyone has an opinion or advice to offer so you just tune it out after a while.

Earlier this week, I was passing the library, heading to Subway to grab a bite. As I walked, I overheard two women talking although I wasn't really paying attention to what they were saying. I gathered that the general topic was about a new guy the girl was seeing. There was this dramatic pause, though, like something straight out of a movie, and the taller girl looked her friend right in the eye and said, "I really likes him" before breaking into one of those smiles that someone head over heels has.

Sappy, but man, it hit me hard and made me smile. I want to that effect and type of relationship with women instead of the guy who fingers them in the club or talks to them every couple of weeks.

I need to converse more and approach more to get to there. Things have been slack lately, I can't lie. I am not pushing my boundaries like I initially was. Specifically, I need to lead conversations better, do more day approaches, stop ejecting from conversations early, and also stop texting to get out of calling.

Plates
​

Ciara: She stopped responding to my text/calls because I was 'too sexual' the last time i slept over. Instead of talking about it, she just cuts me out of her life. Low quality move right there. Although my name isn't mentioned, her facebook statuses are about me, which is childish. I told her from jump, "Talk to me!" and that communication is key if we are gonna make the relationship work, but she doesn't grasp the concept. Relationships to me are delicate and personal, twice as much so for a non-exclusive one and she is not being delicate or personal.

So yea. She is no longer #1 plate even though i don't have a new #1 lined up. She told me we are cool today, but that we won't be anything more now. Blah blah, heard it all before, gonna ignore it and tone down the sexuality considerably for a bit.


Eva: Texted her back n forth the other day. She is goin on spring break, might invite her to something when she gets back


Terrisa: She flaked again to go celebrate midterms being over with friends. Turns out she is a bisexual too. Let's give it up for me having twice the competition ladies and gentlemen.

I know a lot of you guy's went straight to threesomes but I'm not really a fan or a hater concerning bisexuality. I do like that it shows an open mind or at least would appear to, but I am trying to connect so fvck who else you fvcking. I really don't care.


Estelle: Will call tomorrow. If she doesn't pick up she is written off


Vida: Pregnant and as a result written off.


Tiara: Texted her to hang out twice but she had class after work both times. I texted her to give me her name for FB and she didn't respond. Our conversation we had in the club was a little better than my previous ones but still not memorable obviously.

 

[macallik]

Went out this Saturday to study for school and actively try with women again. After an hour of studying I went for a walk on State St. It was snowing, crappy weather which is like a 30 degree swing from two days beforehand, smh. It went from sunny and 60 degrees to snowing very quick. Reminds me of that old saying in Chicago, "If you don't like the weather, stick around because it is sure to change soon."

I was bundled up and saw a cute chick glance in my direction while walking on State Street.

Me: Hey whats up
Chick: hey....
Chick: *confused look*.... do I know you from somewhere.
Me: haha no. Well actually yes, now you do we met on State Street

*snip*

Chick: How bout this weather huh
Me: Yea I know right. So what are you up to today.
Chick: Just getting ready to shoot a pilot for a show
Me: Wow a real pilot!
Chick: Yea.
Me: So is it syndicated or something
Chick: It is going to be hopefully, this is still the pilot
Me: So you are gonna be the next Oprah or something huh
Chick: Haha maybe
Me: So what is this episode gonna be about? Brothers on the down low?
Chick: Hahah no it is on Tiger Woods
Me: Haha intttteresting. So is it gonna be about how he should have slept with black girls instead of white girls?
Chick: No, just how he shouldnt have gotten married if he was gonna cheat.
Me: But what if he had to get married to her to fit into society? Like he couldn't get someone pregnant and not marry her or else he'd be the typical black guy, instead of a caublanasian
Chick: Yea but by goin out and cheating he was the typical black guy
Me: Yea you right.

Looking back, I should have started talking about the typical black guy and dating in Chicago or something. As for her being the lead of a show sounds amazing but it turns out it wasn't. She was shooting some one-woman web-blog on youtube. It was probably just her in her house giving random internet commentary on what really grinds her gears.

The conversation went from where she is from, what she does, being self employed, social life in Chicago and some other basic stuff with me interjecting my experiences here and there. She was a cutie though, like an 8.5 out of ten. I had a instinct that said to eject after like two minutes but I stuck in there and pushed my boundaries.

It was like a 15-20 minute convo, we walked from the Jackson Red Line stop on to the 2nd Harrison Red Line stop. She even picked up the convo during silences and we brushed shoulders constantly as we walked. All signs of a guaranteed close.

She told me while we were waiting for a red light that she was going to her friend's condo to see if they are there. So when we crossed the street I go,

Me: So it was nice to meet you *stand still and read her*

Her: Thanks... It was nice to meet you as well.

*She has a slight hesitation then starts walking again*

Her: *looking slightly over her shoulder* Good luck with school... and everything else
Me: Alright can I get ya number
Her: ...Sorry I don't give my number out to guys I meet randomly on the street, but I am sure we will bump into each other again sometime.

Riiiiight. In a city of millions and she wants to leave it up to fate. Obviously not interested enough. I had on some huge aviators that covered half my face and a thick scarf that covered most of the bottom half so very little of my face was showing. I should have removed them but it was freezing. I was half expecting her to ask me for my number to stay in touch but I guess I read it wrong


Next on the walk back to civilization on State Street, I balked on two chicks that I should have approached and then forced myself to approach the 3rd even though she had passed me and was about 15 feet away and growing so I had to run her down.

Me: Hey I like your scarf
Girl: *turns around startled*
Girl: *meekly* Thanks
Me: Yea, it's not as good as mines but its okay.
Girl: *two second delay then smiles*
Me: So whats your name
Girl: *Gives name*
Me: Well *name* how old are you?
Girl: 15
Me: Okaaaaa*ejects*yyyy


Will report with more day game as it happens...

 

[macallik]

Hey gang, lets get into it. I feel productive today so I figured I'd update yall right quick. Last week I booked a flight home on short notice to take care of some things. While visiting, I figured I'd see what was up with some of the old plates from yesteryear.

I hit up Deanna first because we have stayed in touch a decent amount thanks to Blackberry Messenger. I'd wouldnt say I was in the friendzone involuntarily, I realized I wasn't really that attracted and was going away soon so I eased up off trying anything with her after hanging out. She claims she LJBF me, but it doesn't really affect me either way.

When I visited last week, my blackberry messenger was not functioning properly so I hit her up on facebook inviting her out with me to watch a football game. Nothing spectacular coz I aint interested in her like that. I was gonna shoot the sh!t and get some more perspective of the female brain.

The night before scheduled I had planned to see Deanna, I went out with the fellas. And of course, it wouldn't be home if I didn't see a plate during a night on the town so of course I bumped into Aries at the club. We smiled at each other and then did our own things. Crappy club, would have been a crappy night if I wasn't out with the supercool bff's lol.

And then of course, there is Diamond, the only quality girl I got digits from while at home. Of course, heading back to the trip my mind starts wondering and throwing possible scenarios of us hanging out together or at least catching up on things over dinner. But because I decided that I couldn't have her in my life when things went south back then, I deleted her home n cell # from my phone and have no way of contacting her, save for stalker mode.

I go to her job under the guise of getting something to eat. (you didn't think I was too good for stalker mode didya?) My heart is in my throat when I go to the counter and see that hair slightly covering that face. I inch up in the line and start trying to look disinterested and uninvolved. After a couple seconds, I glance up and look directly at her. But 'her' ends up being some other chick that works there with similar features. Very anticlimactic.

After I get my order, I ask whether Diamond still works there. "Yes" they tell me, "but it is her day off". Okay so there is still hope, I thought. "Alright, well tell her macallik said hey" I muster up, before walking out.

The next day I have the phone in my hand a couple minutes before closing time to just say hello but chicken out of calling.

The next day I go back but don't see her. By then I had realized how stupid this whole scenario in my head was and so I was not really sweating it tough. She probably has a boyfriend or something, plus, knowing that I will forget about her the second I meet someone decent in Chicago, she probably would have said no to a hangout anyways. The romantic in me is not dead, but the realist in me is very much alive.

As for Deanna hanging out at the football game, she doesnt check her facebook regularly, and didn't show up. A couple days later, I got a BBM from her asking whether I was still visiting and being concerned b4 becoming disappointed that I was actually on my flight back to Chicago when I got her msg. I think she is starting to like me more than a friend nowadays coz of decent conversations and similarities. Oh well, hopefully I won't be so desperate that I'll risk a friendship the next time I go home to get some. Lord knows I sure could use any kind of female hole to stick my d!ck in right about now.

Today marks the second full day I've been back in the Chi and my first day really getting out of the house. Wow. Let's have a round of applause for this weather. I can throw some literary descriptions about how beautiful and warm the weather was but I'll skip it for now.

Coming out of the library off State Street, I was walking up behind a chick who was at a standstill on the corner. She did what appeared to be a doubletake as I was walking behind her. A part of me wanting to ask what she was doing on the corner, but insinuating prostitution has not worked well for me in the past as an opener.

Macallik: *in sing-song voice* Hey whats cooking good looking
Girl: *one of those slow smiles that turn big* thanks
Macallik: No problem. How bout this weather huh. Hey how old are you if you don't mind coz you look kind of young.
Girl: I am 17.
Macallik: Oh really, and whats the legal age here?
Girl: 18 I think.
Macallik: Oh yea. Oh well, see ya *ejects*


That was it for today. First off, I should be sticking in the interaction with the 17 year old if only for practice's sake with an attractive female. Second, I should have approached more. There were like 4-5 cuties I hesitated on, or just popped out of a store right in front of me and seemed interested but I froze. Next time!

 

[macallik]

My days on the Southside are numbered. I'm sure you all heard about the 40 people shot in 50 hours last week as it has gotten national coverage. I live in a decent neighborhood so that didn't spill over to me. However, on the walk home yesterday, some unsavory stuff happened.

It's about 5pm and I'm walking home, still daylight out although it is overcast with the rain. I notice three guys across the street in my peripheral vision. For some strange reason they ran across the street directly into traffic like they were in some kind of hurry to get to something or someone, they had to litereally stop in the middle of the road to allow lanes to whiz by them. After they are on my side of the street, one stops right in front of me while two are behind me. He blocks my path asks for 50 cents. Obviously, no one is in that much of a hurry to ask for 50 cents and it doesn't take three guys... I say no and try to keep walking when the guy puts his arm around me and starts guiding me towards a side street.

Here, I can't remember exactly what I said, but I am pretty sure it was, "Hell muthafvcking noooo" before I shook his arm off and shot away like a Toyota with a faulty gas pedal. One of the guys behind me looked as if he was gonna make a move or try and trip me but he didn't.

I ran. I ran until my muscles burned and my veins pumped battery acid. Then I ran some more. Haha. Seriously though, my Blackberry fell out as I was sprinted but I didn't notice it until I was about 2/3 of the way home. I fretted for a second and then remember that none of the numbers in my phone are worth calling and was slightly relieved. I still had my netbook so it was a half full vs half empty kind of deal.

Anyways I backtracked and luckily I found the Blackberry lying on the ground in the rain. Luckily, it was face down so it was relatively unscathed save for a little moisture on the edges of the battery when I took the case off.

Another Chicago experience under my belt. I hear things are only gonna get worse as the weather heats up, and I don't need the stress or uneasiness. In addition, I need to find my own place so yea, long story short, somewhere north of the Southside, here I come... eventually.


Onto the ladies. This afternoon, I was walking on Lake Street and I saw a big crowd of young Chicago natives gathered around two guys. It was either people were freestyling or they were doing a live re-enactment of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" video. I didn't see any Chinese Prison officials teaching them the dance moves so I guessed the latter. However a cute girl was walking next to me so I figured I'd get her opinion:

Macallik: What's going on over there? Are the freestyling or fighting?
Chick: Freestyling
Macallik: Oh that's weird. They do that a lot over here?
Chick: Yea all the time, they do the same thing for dancing as well.
Macallik: *brain freeze and quiet*
Chick: So... you aren't from around here?
Macallik: Nah I'm new in town.
Macallik: So what do you do for fun around here? Do you do any freestyling or dancing? *jokingly*
Chick: No.
Macallik: Oh word. Nothing?
Chick: Well I do a little dance
Macallik: Oh yea what kind
Chick: Hip Hop
Macallik: Oh that's cool
Chick: *walks towards the subway stop on Lake St*
Macallik: Oh well. Nice to meet you.
Chick: Yea you too.

She seemed kinda hesitant here, like she expected me to chase her or wanted to keep the convo going. To be honest, I saw her earlier but she was not as cute as she could have been up close. I would have fvcked given the opportunity though I suppose.


After this, I caught the subway to the Mag Mile. There are too many kids on the subways after school between 3-5 so I never go home in that time frame. As I walk and make it to ground level, there is a cute chick walking next to me.

Macallik: Excuse me. Do you know how to get to the "Magnificient Mile" (I didn't do the air quotes, but now that I thought of it, I am definitely including that in some kind of opener. I did hesitate like I had just read the word in a Chicago guidebook though)
Chick: *smiling* You mean North Michigan Avenue?
Macallik: uh yea I think so.
Chick: it is this way
Macallik: Thanks
Macallik: Haha I'm just playing, I know where it is but I couldn't think of anything to say.
Chick: Hahahaahaha
Macallik: So how bout this weather huh. What you up to today?
Chick: Going to the Water Tower
Macallik: Oh really? Shopping or working?
Chick: Just returning some clothes.
Macallik: Oh word. Did you wear them already and now you are taking them back. Huh?.... Huuuuuuuh? *elbow nudge*
Chick: Haha noooo. I wouldn't do that.

*snip*

Macallik: So you aren't one of those crazy chicks are you? With 5 boyfriends and all of that good stuff are ya?
Chick: Hahaha noooo. I just have one.
Macallik: awwww man. I feel like all this flirting was for nothing now.
Chick: Well unless you want to be my friend (something to that effect, can't remember how she worded it)
Macallik: hahah riiiiiiiiight. Thaaaaats what im here for.
Chick: hahaha
Macallik: it's alright, I'll be your male escort to the Water Tower.

*snip*

Macallik: Alright nice meeting you. Can I get your phone number?
Betty: Sure, it is 773...
Macallik: Alright nice to meet you. I'll ttyl. *hugs*

 

[macallik]

What's good fellas. Here is another update for you after a week and some change.

I've been doing circuits up and down State Street these past couple days but the anxiety in my head was just eating away at me. I was dressed pretty well today, I can't lie. Green hoody, tan shirt, tan boots, white jeans, and a scarf. I can gauge how well my outfit is put together by the Preacher next to the Old Navy. If he says "You can't go to heaven smoking weed' as I walk by, then I know I am lookin a lil edgy, but if he says, "You aren't going to heaven if you are a homosexual" then I know I'm dressed pretty well, smh.

I don't think I dress like a homo but they dress well so thanks I suppose. Here in the Chi they got all these gay thugs and sh!t. Like packs of gays that travel in groups and have their skinny jeans sagging and freshly manicured nails to boot. I sh!t you not. Sometimes I check out what a gay dude is wearing for fashion ideas but not the flamboyant borderline female stuff.

In the past couple days, nothing major to report. There was a girl on the subway that was clearly interested the other day. She was looking at me out of the corner of her eye and I tried to get a game of footsie going but she moved her feet away. She was feeling me though.

I decided to get off at her stop and speak to her for some easy digits but her bus was already waiting there so she literally ran to catch it once she got off the train. I walked dejectedly and caught the train back to my actual stop. Hamburgers!

Today, however, I was walking down State St and after balking on a bunch of broads I went in on one. She was walking the opposite direction but I glanced in her direction and said fvck it, and changed to walk the same was she was. She saw it out of the corner of her eye and smiled.

She had on some earphones and was walking so after walking next to her and her not turning around, I just tapped her on the shoulder

Macallik: Hey how long do I have to walk next to you before you say hello?
Her: haha I didn't hear you say anything
Macallik: Yea. I think you cute so I just wanted to say hello. So what are you up to today?
Her: It is my birthday today.
Macallik: Oh wow. Just barely legal huh. So any big plans
Her: i might go out with my cousin tonight
Macallik: Your cousin huh? No boyfriend or significant other to hang out with?
Her: Nope.
Macallik: haha we'll have to do something about that.

we talked for about 2 minutes before her phone rang. She was going to her granny's house and was lost. When she answered the phone she started walking real quick. I was walking briskly to keep up with her although it felt hella weird. After a while she found out she was going the wrong direction and walked past me and went the other way. I must have followed her like three blocks before she finally had to stop because she had to wait for the light to turn.

Macallik: So can I get your number
Her: *looks at me, looks at the light turn red and crosses street*

I followed her about a half a block and then just figured she wasn't interested and peeled off. Yowzers! Was a little nervous but another brick in my palace.

Been reading a bit and realized I have focused on the end result too much to the point that if it doesn't look like a good chance at success I dont even try. I stopped having fun in other words and it became work. I got my head on right again now.

Walking home from, I see three girls walking past me. I look one in the eye and then say, "Ladies" with a big smile as I go by. Out the corner of my eye, I see one girl inadvertently push her friend into oncoming traffic as she turned around to check me out ahaha. I get about 20 feet away before she shouts out that she wants to ask me a question.

So I walk back to her

Her: I don't mean to offend you so don't take this the wrong way but... are you gay?
Macallik: nope
Her: oh ok. *stands there*
Macallik: What about you. Are you gay
Her: no
Macallik: Good for you

She started asking me where I am and I told her but clearly she didn't look legal. I asked her how old she was and she said 17. I told her I am 23 and she said I look 18, lol.

Now that I think about it, some gay guys were like talking about me and checking me out on State St. I quickened my pace until there was a good deal of separation between us.

Methinks maybe white jeans are too stylish for heterosexual men *shrugs*

 

[macallik]

Hey people quick update for ya before I hit the hay. Yesterday I was texting Terrisa and she invited me to this amateur rap performance. I had class late today so I by the time I showed my pretty little face, everything was over. I'm actually kinda glad I missed it because I really don't need some aspiring rapper giving me his free mixtape, I have enough coasters in my house as is. Ironically enough, she got there late and missed the whole thing as well so no harm no foul.

I text her and she tells me to meet her upstairs. I spend a minute looking for the steps and then start ascending. Upstairs was pretty cool to be honest. Downstairs was your decent, standard bar but upstairs was an actual record store, complete with vinyls and cds, 'cool kids' nonchalantly browsing the catalogues and music posters. It has an antique feel with all the wood to it, reminded me of a hole-in-the-wall second hand bookstore. It struck my mind that record stores had been used in romantic comedies before like Love Jones and Before Sunrise for some reason but I pushed it to the back of my mind.

After basking in the mise en scene of the record store, I started actively looking for Terrisa. To be honest, I was not looking for a familiar face but a face that matched the rather vague adjectives semi-committed to my memory, such as 'cute' and 'light-skinned'.

Terissa notices me, flags me down and gives me a hug. I am glad she did coz I swear to God I forgot what she looked like. I want to blame it on the time between us seeing each other but it is actually copious amounts of liquor in my body when we met. After a minute or two, she introduces me to her female friend and she is like, "Wait THIS is macallik?" Lol wtf.

We talked music and movies and she told a story or two. I was trying to make her laugh too much instead of going for a connection. Conversation was kinda weak on my part but she did a good job asking questions et al. Will work that next time. After a while, her friend got tired of pacing around the empty record store and feigning disinterest as she slowly walked by and eavesdropped on our conversation. She asked Terissa when she is gonna leave because she 'has a headache' and her 'feet are sore' I sh1t you not.

It was such a c0ckblock move I laughed out loud when I heard it. Terrisa asked her friend if she wants to leave in about an hour to which her friend gives her a screw face. I told them I didn't want to impede and they could leave now coz the friend is obviously bored and going into b!tch mode. Terissa suggest a half an hour longer, to which her friend sullenly agrees and slinks away.

However, after about 5 minutes though, Terissa decides she wants to go. I walk em to the subway, hug Terrisa good bye, give well wishes in parting to her friend, (whose name I forgot as soon as I heard it) and then we board our separate trains.

For me it was a first time I ever hung out with a chick with a third wheel. I have declined a couple of these in my day. It actually wasn't that bad although I should have engaged her friend earlier instead of just the walk to the subway so she didn't throw a hissy fit. I'll also arrange a second hangout with Terissa in the near future when something decent comes up.

Plates
Ciara: Still haven't kicked it with her since that night I slept over and was too aggressive. I tried to reason with her and apologize but she just keeps throwing it in my face. I lost my patience at times but now I have patience in the situation and I am losing interest. If I am meeting girls every week, trying to turn around the situation doesn't seem paramount anymore.
Estelle: Haven't talked to her in about a month or a month and a half which is like twice as long as normal. I'll call her over the weekend. See what the deal is.