My First Number

Being in a program where they ratio of girls to guys ( 22:4) definetly has drawback. Don't get my wrong, I love the females but 22:4 is not as sweet as it seems.

For example, a few nights ago I was asked to go to this party with these 4 girls from my program. Apparently, they had met these three Italian dudes who had invited them to a party outside the city walls and the only way to get there is by car. When I was asked to go, I wasn't totally against it but the fact that it was so far away made me think that it would be that much more difficult to leave on my own time. ( I always have an escape route) Plus, 4 girls going by themselves, in a car, outside the city, with Italian dudes, doesn't equal the best scenario.

As I walked to meet up with everyone, I thought that maybe this would turn out alright. I might meet some new people, Italian girls perhaps, and everything could be alright. We met these guys on the corner of a nearby street. Upon first glance you could have thought these guys were pushing weight or ready to rob someone the amount of times they kept looking up and down the street for signs of the American girls. Going into the handshaking, I knew I was already minus 1 with these guys. They had invited girls to this party and here comes a guy. Its never cool when you were planning on seeing just honeys and they bring along a dude.

There was a total of 3 Italian dudes: the first was pretty skinny and about 6'6'' and in the military (so he says), the other two were twins who sort of resembled Joe Pesci in the early days. We hopped in their cars and were on our way.

I went in the car with the tall guy and sat in the back. I had one girl in the back with me and there was another riding shotgun. He was doing your classic one hand on the wheel, one hand on the radio while every 3 seconds looking over to the passenger seat. I tried to be friendly and asked my standard questions: 'Where you from? Ever been to America? Sports fan?' This guy only gave me one word answers. He was keen on shutting out the American guy and focusing on the American girl(s)

I already got the wack vibe before we even entered this party. When I first walked in there was some techno playing and 4 awkward people dancing. Your classic more guys than girls party with the drinks damn near all gone. I headed straight for the balcony and after 2 minutes, realized this was an International party. There was a group of students from Turkey to my left, Germans to my right, and the host was Japanese!

I thought it would be the right thing to do, so I introduced myself to guy who's place it was. I wasn't trying to pull one of the suspect high school moves where you just crash a party with your squad not knowing the person who's house it is. (GOSH, THOSE WERE THE DAYS!)

I walked over to the guy and started speaking Italian and introduced myself. From that point on, I had one of the most diffucult conversations I have ever had. This kid spoke Japanese fine. Italian, he had told me, he has only known for 5 months, and English he has known for 2 years. After getting nowhere speaking Italian we switched to English. He told me his English was much better but, to be honest, he was horrible with both.

After him nodding vigoursly after every one of my sentences, especially the California line, I was looking for a way out. This guy either could not think on his feet or loved silence. He didn't ask me anything or, if he tried, it would take him too long and I would interject. I had exhausted the Japanese food topic, the Italian women topic, and the classes we took topic, I noticed a basketball and decided to switch gears.

Ari 'Do you (I had to point at him when I said this) play basketball (had to dribble an imaginary ball)?'

Japanese Guy 'Uhhhh, sorry?

Ari 'Basketball. (I pointed to the ball)'

Japanese Guy ' Ohhhh, hahahaha (he laughs for bout 5 seconds). Yes yes yes. Sometimes. You want to play?'
(note to reader. it was 12:30 at night and there were no lights on the nearby court)

As I started to say no, he was overcome with one of the saddest puppy dog faces I've seen in about 5 to 10
Ari 'Maybe, maybe next time' ( It was more likely that I would become a famous horse jockey then come back to that house)

Japanese Guy 'Great. Here. Take my number!'

From there, he and I exchanged numbers. He seemed so happy to get a new number. His name was Tutsaya.

As I walked away with my contacts with one more entry, I couldn't help but think that this was ridiculous. Not only was the first number I got NOT from an Italian girl, it wasn't even from an Italian. Hell, I could maybe deal with a country that borders Italy.

But no, I meet Tutsaya from Japan.