Date night = great night

 images: Joe Frost's current exhibition at Watters Gallery 

My Mum has been down helping with the kids while the school holidays are on.

It's been such a huge help - she cooks, cleans, entertains, declutters, gardens, weeds, and so much more. It's so nice coming home to my Mum.

And as a bonus - Matt and I have been able to go on a couple of date nights together. SCORE!

The first date was to see Taken3.  And then a really below par, horrible meal at Miss Chu that made me feel cross.

The second date was last night - an art exhibition opening, followed by dinner at iconic low-brow Bill  & Toni's. And it was awesome. No expectations, just hanging out looking at art, and then a quick and cheap meal together, chatting. It was gold. 

Now I'm thinking we need to have at least one date a month for the year. I know this is a great thing for our relationship, so we gotta aim high! 

So my ingredients for a most excellent date night are?

- an activity that gives you something to talk about: an exhibition is ace, a movie is great, or even just people watching
- follow it up with dinner/coffee/something so you can sit and chat about what you've seen
- I am a cheap date. I like simple things, and fancy things are not for me. My favourite meal out would be an awesome burger. And a beer. And plenty of conversation. And then maybe a gelato. 

I asked some friends what their secrets to a good date are:

1. 'A dude.'

2. '500gm personality
450gm attraction
Add a sprinkle of class, chivalry and a touch of humour... 
Stir well with great location...
Garnish with a couple of cocktails...
Then leave for 2-3 days to settle...
However you'll know well before that if the recipe worked...'

3. 'Mojitos.' 

4. 'Dont be a tightass.'

5. 'A: Free Babysitting with no end time B: Actually that's about it.'

6. 'A good bottle of wine, dinner out, no dishes, no children and no time limits... I'm also totally in to dumplings, beer and a movie!'

7. 'To have a date in the first place hahaha...'



What's your secret to a great date? 

The Tale of Two Alexes

Once upon a time I went on a date with a guy called Alex. Let's call him Boy Alex.

Boy Alex had approached me a week earlier in a cafe and given me his card. I thought to myself "Hmm, that was smooth." However I flinched at his name. It posed a problem for me because my name is Alex* too.

So we two Alexes (Boy Alex and Girl Alex) went on an ill-fated date that lasted all of about 45 minutes, due to the fact that for 43 minutes he had been a complete and arrogant asswipe, and I decided at 44.5 minutes that I wasn't going to endure it. Or go through life with a partner called Boy Alex.

I stood up, thanked him for his time and walked out of his life.

This was possibly one of my worst ever dates - not only did we have the same name and I had a premonition of being tagged "the two Alexes" which I thought was repugnant, but he was a total toolbox.

What's your worst ever date?

And while you're sharing, I'll go and think of some of my other worst dates. Because trust me, I have some real gems.

*And then everyone started calling me Lexi. Turns out we could have been lovers. Damn.

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