How Do I Know If We Have "Chemistry"?

Last Saturday I went on date #2 with Andy,** a guy I met through Eharmony. Our first date had gone very well. We met for drinks and later, a shared dinner of fish tacos and desert, at a micro-brewery in Plano. He was everything his profile portrayed, which is a rare find in the online dating world. We had plenty to chat about and both agreed that we would like to see each other again. Needless to say, date #1, aka, the "scary oh shit I hope he really looks like his picture" date, was a success.

For date #2, the one I call, "ok buddy, who are you really?" at his suggestion, we went to a wonderful sushi restaurant for dinner. Again, we had a good time talking, but were at a loss for what to do after dinner. It was still early, and we had already ruled out seeing a movie. (Have you seen the crap that is playing in the theatres these days???) So, being a rainy evening, I suggested going to a coffee shop and chatting some more. He suggested that if I was comfortable we could go over to his apartment for coffee. I agreed because a) I am a skeptical person by nature and didn't sense any Ted Bundy inclinations, and that b) if anything went wrong, I would have the whole apartment complex as a witness to my glass-cracking high-pitched screams. (Mom, if you are reading this, please don't be mad!).

Now, for you dating girls out there, you KNOW how important the first apartment visit can be because it can tell you a lot about a person that cannot easily be hidden or faked. Well, I am proud to say that Andy passed with flying colors. His apartment was clean and neat. His furniture was a mix of Ikea and other nicer pieces of furniture. He also had A LOT of electronics, which makes sense since he is a self-described geek. (He works for a cell phone carrier based in Dallas). He made coffee, for which we both added plenty of milk and splenda, and we chatted about a range of different subjects, including his fondness for the band Kings of Leon. About an hour later I made my exit-in my hand, a burned copy of a few Kings of Leon songs.

I guess all in all, I would rate the date a B, and here is why: How do I know if we have chemistry? I mean, we got along fine. He seems to have many of the qualities that I consider hard to find in men, but there was no POW! No AHA! No sound of whooshing as my head went into the clouds. Worse, what if I am just sooo boring, that I won't ever be able to find POW! or AHA! or WHOOSH! with anyone? How many dates do I need to go on before I know whether the elusive "chemistry" that people talk about so much is present?

At the end of the date, I suggested meeting up for Oktoberfest in Addison ( http://www.addisontexas.net/events/Oktoberfest/default.asp) next Saturday. I think this will be a good active date to go on. I think after date #3 I will know whether the relationship is going to take off, or be merely another "dating experience" compliments of Eharmony.

**Name changed to protect the poor, innocent guy I am writing about