THE SEARCH FOR MR. ADEQUATE
Part 61

By Susan Silver

It described rather distastefully … well it is the Post … how various older women who are named for wild beasts according to age brackets, are on the prowl for younger men.  I guess they are the ‘deer’ to carry the analogy further.

It showed a photo of a slightly gigolo type described as an actor/model ie. waiter.  He was sent to various bars to see who would attack him and several older women did.  They actually allowed themselves to be photographed and quoted in varying ridiculous comments, but the point remains.  Dating younger men is au courant … thank you Demi Moore.  

When I was first divorced many moons ago, I went through a phase where I was meeting absolutely gorgeous young guys.  I mean gorgeous and I do not know why but they were asking me out.  Perhaps they smelled “newly divorced.” They were sometimes 10-15 years younger and I wasn’t going to do it but one of them had gone out with Racquel Welch and I thought if it’s good enough for her … it’s good enough for me. I had some fun with them! But then I settled down and started dating age appropriate types.  And look where that got me.

Actually when I was very young I dated very old guys.  I, being 21, and one being 53.   Now they would be dead!  My ex-husband and LML are both my age … a few months older and that works best for me.  But now, since guys my age are into 35 year olds … I will try the younger again, if the opportunity occurs.  

I do not prowl. I do not go to bars, but Dear Readers, lo and behold, though I wasn’t looking, I met a rather charming one last week.

I attended two Seders and sacrilegious as it may be, my social life took quite an upturn from the experience.  Yes I did the obligatory reading and praying and singing too. And too much eating.

At the first Seder which my friend Joel does every year, a varied and interestingly eclectic crowd was there. A lot of writers and TV people and then a group of art world types. This fellow was sitting across the table and his English accent was wonderful and he seemed bright and everything sounds better with the English accent, doesn’t it?

He was an art critic and I know very little about art, so it was interesting to talk with him.  As we said goodbye I think I said something about going to galleries and how I wish I had someone to explain art to me.  He said we might do that and I thought … well … why not.  But I didn’t expect to hear from him.

That night there was an email from him and an invite to go to Chelsea on Saturday.  This weekend I couldn’t so we made a plan for Wednesday as he was coming uptown to an art show in the Park.  Yes, that armory around the zoo has an art gallery. Who knew?  And a spectacular roof garden. We went and there was a fabulous painting of butterflies that really spoke to me.  The artist was there and we actually talked about her doing a mural for my apartment as I am redoing the bathroom. It’s going to be a “garden” theme and the butterflies would be perfect. But I digress.

Then the art critic and I went to dinner. He is young. Very young. I am thinking we would be good friends.  I do not know what he is thinking. Well, I think I do but since he is reading the column now, I won’t say. (Note to self: do not tell guys about the Column, it will spook them.) Suffice to say it is nice being with someone very smart and cultured and fun … and yes … not an old fart. Sorry. But sometimes they get that way.   

Since men are all dating younger women, why shouldn’t women date younger men? That was not one of the “four questions” at the Seder but it is my own question.  He and I are going to Chelsea next weekend and I will keep you informed … sort of.

There were also some really fun couples that I bonded with and are my new best friends and am looking forward to getting to know them better.  It’s so great to “click” with new people.  

Then the second night, one of my friends from LA was in and taking her family to the Friar’s Club for the Second Seder. Talk about old farts. Well, it turned out to be fun because another couple who were guests were terrific and we walked home … walking off the meal … and the husband said he had a guy to fix me up with.  This is promising.

I will therefore go to any and all religious celebrations from now on. I hope I am not struck down by Youknowwho for less than pure motives.

It was a busy week all around. And somehow I didn’t have a chance to read my newspapers or magazines.  I just caught up with the New York Mag with Julia Roberts on the cover. 

Things I have no interest in:

1. Seeing Julia Roberts in a play. (this was written before reviews)
2. Buying a perfume because some star named it. Ala Sara Jessica Parker. Why would I want to smell like her?

Things I find fascinating:

1. How good Queen Elizabeth looks for an 80 year old!
2. Her stamps are fun also. Itís good to be a Queen. The little Aussie gecko in the Geico ad. I love the animation and the acc.

Things that are just weird to contemplate:

1. Joan Rivers has gone on the Internet Dating scene.

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