Liberal love: Greenies go wild

The background

 Matchmaker would like to introduce her readers to Dave, a 25-year-old UVA grad student with a penchant for traveling, the great outdoors, and liberalism.

"I'm not too picky about who I'm set up with," he wrote in an email,"but please don't send me any Republicans."

No worries, Dave. Matchmaker has just the girl. Enter Sheela, a UVA fourth-year whose interests include yoga, Italy, and, yes, tree-hugging.

On paper, the two couldn't have been a better match. But would their lefty sensibilities mesh in the flesh?

Well, Matchmaker had a hunch this date would be a success, but she never anticipated this...

The date

 Sheela and Dave went to Wild Green's in the North Wing of Barracks Road Shopping Center.

 Did you do anything out of the ordinary before the date, to plan for it?

 Sheela: No, not really.

Dave: I had actually been planning to go to a concert that very same night, so I was debating how I'd organize the whole series of events.

Were you first or second to arrive?

 Sheela: Second, because I was taking the bus, and I didn't know exactly where the place was. I walked a bit, and that took a little time.

Dave: I was first. I wasn't carrying a watch at the time, but she arrived only a few minutes after I sat down.

Were you nervous?

 Sheela: A bit... okay, fine, I admit I was an absolute wreck! I'd never done anything like this before and wasn't sure of what to expect.

Dave: Definitely. Normally, I'm not at all apprehensive when going out on a date, but I'd never been on a blind date before.

When did you calm down?

 Sheela: When I sat down, and we started talking.

Dave: Immediately after she arrived and sat down.

First impression?

 Sheela: I thought he was adorable! His eyes were charming. I sensed he had a good character.

Dave: She had her own unique style that complemented her physical appearance very well. And she seemed like a very open and honest person; I didn't get the impression that she would ever act differently to impress somebody, which was very cool, to say the least.

Would you say this person was your type?

 Sheela: Sure!

Dave: I never really created a visualization of "my type," but if any particular girl would fit the bill, then she'd definitely be a strong possibility.

Describe what your date was wearing.

 Sheela: What stands out in my mind was the sweater and the scarf he had on.

Dave: She wore a pair of blue jeans with an aquamarine top under a black (with silver sparkles!) long-sleeve shirt. She also had a semi-long blue winter jacket and a really nice crimson scarf. For the longest time, I've had this strange hobby of collecting scarves, so it was cool to see that she appreciated them as well. Her hair was accented with hairclips of various colors.

Did you order drinks?

 Sheela: Yes, the wine was fabulous!

Dave: She ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, and I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio.

What did you order for dinner?

 Sheela: We got a vegetarian appetizer, and though he's not vegetarian, he's somewhat quasi-vegetarian since he doesn't eat red meat and doesn't eat meat that much at all. I thought it was so great that he was sensitive to the fact that I was vegetarian and didn't try to make me "try" meat or anything.

Dave: We became so involved in talking that we actually only ate half of our quesadilla appetizer! The service in the restaurant was excellent. The waitress was very attentive though we were eternally undecided about what to order.

What did you talk about?

 Sheela: Where to begin?! Honestly, we talked about anything and everything. Culture and travel and physics and particles and atoms and World War II and languages and constellations and traveling and hiking and swimming and the fusion of Eastern and Western religion and how activism is so complex. Also how saving the environment is so important and how foreign films are cool, too.

Dave: We were quite chirpy and had a lot in common, especially music! As it turns out, she plays the viola, and I played the violin for seven years. We talked about stringed instruments quite a bit. We also chatted about our origins and future ambitions. There was so much more, though.

What did you find out that was interesting about this person?

 Sheela: He studied abroad for a year in Germany, he surfs, he's from Seattle, he likes tea, he has a cat whose life he saved, and he used to play the violin (this fact is especially interesting since I'm an orchestra dork).

Dave: It only took her three years to learn vibrato– I couldn't learn it in seven years! Also, she eats just as slowly as I do. I've never had that in common with anybody before.

Was there anything you really disliked?

 Sheela: No. I just felt bad that I was so tired at the end; otherwise, I would have most likely hung out longer.

Dave: No. It was sort of a bummer that she's allergic to fish, since I enjoy fish so much. But that's so minor compared to grand scheme of things! It didn't really matter in the end.

Was there "chemistry" between you?

 Sheela: I'd like to think so.

Dave: There was certainly a lot of chemistry there.

How were your date's table manners?

 Sheela: Impeccable! Actually, the truth is that I wasn't really paying attention. I never really notice table manners.

Dave: In an aristocratic voice: Oh, yes Edison, she is indeed a sophisticated lady! Quite!

 How did dinner end?

 Sheela: It felt like it didn't end because we went from one venue to another. The overall night had a nice end, though.

Dave: After Wild Greens, we went to the Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, and then we decided to check out a concert at the Outback Lodge. Ezra Hamilton, The Rachel Nevadas, and The Wells were playing. All of the performers were really top notch!

 What was the VERY end like?

 Sheela: I wish I had a clearer memory of it, but unfortunately I was falling asleep at this point– not because I was bored but because I was a bit sleep-deprived.

Dave: We decided to leave The Outback Lodge a bit before closing. She had to get up early, so I drove her back to her place.

A hug? A kiss?

 Dave: We hugged and gave two kisses, one per cheek, just like the French do it!

Overall date experience?

 Sheela: It was so much fun. I honestly didn't think it would be so great. It was a nice surprise and a night of good luck.

Dave: It had to have been the best blind date ever!

Would you see this person again?

 Sheela: Absolutely!

Dave: We should definitely hang out again; she's a really cool girl.

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the date?

 Sheela: 10

Dave: Gee, I never thought this would happen... 10.