My busy Sunday.

Started off with a morning full of Turing tests at the Upper West Side apartment of a most intelligent yet bizzare and annoying man named Hugh Loebner who has been offering a prize of $100,000 to any AI to pass the Turing test for 15 years. The AI community shunned him long ago but he continues to hold his annual prize competition. No one ever passes the Turing test, but a few thousand dollars is given away to the programmer whose computer does the 'best job' as judged by four judges. I was one of the judges this year. It was fun fun fun. And bizarre. Here is his website in case you are interested in checking him (or the contest) out!

http://www.loebner.net/


On my way out, one of the confederates who had been eyeing me most of the morning, chased after me. He offered to walk me to Coumbia (I was going up there to see Trouble). Turns out this young lad is an aspiring poet, mostly from the middle of the country, and now settled in NYC to become published. He eventually wants to get into film as well. He is 25. And thinks he is going to be famous someday, and as such, avoids being photographed. In fact, he looks afraid of being photographed. Interesting. He was extremely charming and, oh so, beautifully ready to experience the world. He is quite attractive as well. I have to say that I enjoyed my conversation with him more than I have enjoyed my conversations with some of my dates. Over the course of our interaction, we playfully acknowledged our age difference.

He asked me "Do you think it matters?"
Although many scenarios popped into my head, I honestly answered 'No, I don't". Because I think, in the end, it is not age, itself, that matters. And I was having a most sophisticated conversation with him. The age does come into play when we went for a drink and he only had $1 in his wallet. I laughed and treated that sweet, young boy to a pink lemonade Snapple. (he does not drink coffee)! He asked me to go see a film with him that night and I declined (although would have under different circumstances). I have a feeling he might need a code name as I suspect we might end up going out sometime soon. I feel naughty even thinking about it. But, it is also comfortable for me. Ahhh, the world of dating younger men! Why did I decide to leave it?? (just kidding, I know *why* i decided to leave it - but is it so bad to desire a reminder?)

At this point, I was exhausted (with a smile) and more than anything needed a dip in a pond (or as is more common in NYC, a shower) but I was already uptown near my Alma Mater and Trouble. We met on the steps of Columbia - a spot I spent much time on during my undergraduate years and waited for him to show. It briefly crossed my mind that I might want to open up a conversation with him at some point about how this flirtation is more than a little irresponsible maybe, or dangerous, or doomed even, but I decided against it and, instead, thought that the time to get to know each other is important and probably necessary before I can even know the above. So, Trouble and I shared a sidewalk meal. He asked to sit facing downtown and I asked him why he wanted that seat – he admitted that he was avoiding making eye contact with someone who might be walking down the street that way. Of course, I asked whom. He admitted it was his ex, who apparently he was angry with. At this point, I thought that it would never work out with us because he seems to be hung up on his ex. But Trouble always (has a reputation for) talking about his past relationships. I think most people have emotional reactions to the mention or thought of past loves when they are still somehow wrapped up in that person or the relationship. But I think Trouble may possibly be the most emotive human being I have ever met. Yes, more than me! Scary. And another reason why I am thinking that I do not want to get involved with him. I am not sure if I can take him talking about his past relationships all the time. Being that I can be jealous, hearing about past relationships, is not that easy for me. But perhaps it could be a growing experience – I should be OK with these things. Anyway….

We dined and almost as soon as I was annoyed by his mention (and forced seating arrangement) of his ex, we were not talking about any past loves anymore. We talked about life, work, love (in general), family, death, …I guess being emotive also carries its positive sides. I was tired by the end of dinner but it was still early so I suggested we go for a cruise in his car! (his eyes lit up – apparently this is one of his favorite things to do!) This might sound strange to those readers outside of NYC but owning a car is rare and there fore, living here really makes your realize how much you enjoy driving. I never realized how much I enjoyed driving until I was deprived. It makes me feel calm and free.

We walk back to his place (decorated mostly Ikea tastefully) and grabbed his iPod and were off. He in the driver’s seat and I was in control of the music. Not sure if I mentioned that he had sent me a CD for my birthday – but I was thumbing away searching for it on his iPOD and asked him if it was on there or not. He smiled (somewhat embarrassed) and said ‘Yes, it is in the Playlists. It is called MISCHIEF”. What a coincidence, eh? I call him Trouble and he refers to me as Mischief? At least we both know what we are getting into…

We drove through Harlem, down 5th Avenue all the way to my place. I asked him up for a drink. We talked for two more hours. He traced the veins on my hands and arms. He told me that he realized he liked me because I reminded him of chocolate. Dark chocolate. There was no good-bye kiss, too soon for us, the forearm rub was just about all I could stand before I was going to loose all sense of responsibility.