I think I am just bad at dating. I don't have any experience. I wish I could've told Ryan that; maybe knowing why I was so...nervous would have helped him feel a little better.

Ryan and I decorated masks for Homecoming today (it's a masquerade this year) and then went to see "Happy Feet." The movie was really cute, but the whole date was awkward. We had tried to do it with a group, but never got a hold of the people we wanted to pair up with. So it was just Ryan and me. We worked on our masks in silence for a little bit, till I finally said, "I don't know how this'll work with my glasses." That broke the ice a little bit. Ryan laughed and made a joke and it was less awkward then, but still... Most of our conversation was on our favorite this and that, and that doesn't go very far. I was relieved when it was time to go to the movie, until we walked outside and I realized we hadn't talked about who would drive. He offered to drive... He seemed really fine with it, which was nice, but I wish I'd known that in advance. He also paid. That was also nice--I'm glad men still do that--but it makes me feel sort of ashamed. I got my mother's pride there. I like to do everything myself when I can.

The movie was really, really cute, though longer than I expected. I LOVED the Mexican penguins! They were the BEST part! Absolutely hilarious! :D They made me think of Isaac. How could I not? He's a Mexican who went to a school with a penguin for the mascot!! :D Man, I'd see that movie again just for the Mexican penguins. Too much fun!

I think I want the soundtrack for that movie, too. The music was awesome. They mixed songs the way they did in Moulin Rouge at the beginning or whatever... I've only seen that movie once, and I half-slept through it. (It was on the bus to Mississippi.)

Ending the date was as awkward as beginning it. What do you say at the end of a date? I don't think I handled it well at all, but I had NO idea what to do/say exactly. We did, however, figure out some things about the actual banquet next week. Would you believe I totally forgot about it? It felt just like at the end of my date with Josh earlier this year--that's it, we're not going out again, we'll just stay friends and that's all. I remembered at the last minute about Homecoming and we arranged what time he'd pick me up (also very nice, but still...it feels so weird to be going on dates where the guy does everything!).

I WISH we had had other people with us to just ease the awkwardness. Thankfully the people who didn't make it to the mask-decorating will be with us at the dinner Wednesday.

All right. I really should stop worrying about the date. It's over. Wednesday should be all right.

My mask is black with purple and silver glitter decorations. Ryan made himself a Phantom of the Opera mask... Just because I like Phantom of the Opera. He has never seen Phantom of the Opera himself. :S It was his idea, although I think now that it was just a joke... What is it with me and misinterpreting jokes?

Well, it was via the Internet.

Agh. It's 9:00 and I need to do homework.

-Stephanie