Friday, October 1, 2010

{ DATE #15: Geoff Openshaw }


I certainly didn't see that one coming!  Date #15 definitely took me by surprise!  If you rewind to a few weeks ago, just before these crazy dates got started, I sat down to do a radio podcast with the voice of This Week In Mormons, Geoff Openshaw of Placentia, CA.  He invited our Executive Producer, Erin Elton, and I to be guests on his weekly show which is broadcasts through "a blog and podcast devoted to all things Mormonism - from news and politics, to absurd cultural items, to the Gosepl itself."  I'm guessing our Mormon Bachelorette segment fell underneath the "absurd cultural items" category but hey, we had fun doing it! Check it out HERE if you missed it.

I was nothing short of shocked when I opened the door and saw Mr. Openshaw standing there, waiting to take me out on Date #15.  Why was I so shocked?  Well, for one, the 29 year old master of satire didn't exactly put out the "I'd like to take you on a date" vibe during our TWIM interview.  But now that I look back on it, I'm pretty sure all his teasing was really just his way of sharing his affections.  I still don't quite understand why boys do that to girls.  The whole chasing them around the playground and pulling their pigtails behavior?  It baffles me.

Anyway, all I'm trying to say is that I was surprised to see Geoff at my door and somewhat amused at the fact that I would be spending an evening getting to know him better. So what did we do on this evening together? Well, I was told by our Exec Producer to dress "nice" and that my date would involve something cultural, followed by a nice dinner. Little did she know, Geoff threw that plan out the window and took me to Savers instead! That's right. Savers, a second hand store in Anaheim!

Now, I've never heard of Savers. Probably because Fashion Island and South Coast Plaza don't have one. But I was up for the adventure and knew Geoff would help me find something amazing. As we perused the shelves we first found him a couple t-shirts and a great button down. I on the other hand, went straight for the skirts. I love skirts! Every night I ask my staffers...do I get to wear a skirt tonight? Please??? I know, I must be weird, but I just love getting dressed up. So I was excited to find a really cute grey linen pencil skirt. And then, as an added bonus, on the way out found this great vintage makeup tray that I can't wait to polish up and display all my perfumes on. I was amazed at the treasures we found!

After we were all shopped out Geoff took me to dinner at a Persian Restaurant a few block away. It was a little hole in the wall called Hatam. I don't LOVE Persian food, but I found a great dish with lamb chops and rice. I quite enjoyed it.  While we dined I remember talking a lot about travel. Where we've been, where we'd like to go, etc. Geoff and I have both been to London and Paris and well, those are the only places I've been in Europe so far. Geoff served his mission in Barcelona and lived in Scotland and the Ukraine for a while which I was quite jealous of. I asked him if he could go back tomorrow, where would he go? He chose Turkey! Good choice. I singled out Italy and Greece. I'm dying to see Santorini and Capri!  Talking about travel always makes me happy.

Eventually the date came to an end and I found myself reminiscing about my expectations for the night.  I found it amusing that while I thought this date would be full of witticism and causticity (Geoff likes to use big words sometimes so I thought I'd throw some in there too), it was a nice surprise to find that Geoff was nothing but complimentary of my character all night long.  In fact, I might be so bold as to say, he's actually really hoping for a second date. How do I know that?  Well, for one, he got my number at the end of the night and sent me a little text message that read "Openshaw/Messick 2011! Ow! Ow!"  Sorry Geoff...it was too funny to keep all to myself.  And who knows, maybe that'll win you that second date after all...


{ Good job Larry. Love the videos. And thanks for filming my good side! }

9 comments:

Meagan @ Meagan Tells All said...

totally was hoping for a smooch at the end of this one! He has great style and I liked his "different" date idea!!!

Emily said...

I'm team Geoff. :)

emily said...

I've never been on a date to Saver's. That is funny, but creative--very outside the box! You are so adventurous with food. I am not willing to try all the things you have in just 15 days!!!!

Kim Messick said...

Never heard of Savers... liked the idea though.
Had Persian food before, but never again.
Hope you enjoyed yourself as much as we enjoy watching you...
Do we ever get to see what Larry looks like?

Geoff said...

Seriously? FOUR comments, people? I think I'm the winner of the fewest comments award. Either I've alienated every viewer or I foster indifference in the masses. :)

Kern County Kids Read said...

Geoff- love your TWIM broadcasts! Savers is awesome!

All views my own said...

He was the most eligible bachelor in Scotland, he has got to be the most eligible bachelor in SoCal. I'd vote team Geoff any day.

Unknown said...

Goodness finally a creative date idea :)

Cydney Jensen said...

I was in Ukraine with Geoff, and then did some traveling with him after and I have to tell you that he is HILARIOUS. He is a really great guy and my vote is for him.