TWO: Life’s Lens, Photography, Music & My Heart.
It’s been a month and a day since you last heard from me. I am hoping that you’ve missed me! With 100 Dates, things have been quite quiet, and when things aren’t working or quiet and I need something done, I end up getting frustrated and doing things myself. This date was one of them. Technically it was an unofficial date, however since it’s a date nonetheless I figured it would be good for you all to read about it. I had a date last night, and this is it’s story…
I first got in touch with Life’s Lens when I saw his profile on a dating site and was extremely intrigued as it was all written in Japanese. I was curious. I had to know why. I messaged him, and then the ball started rolling. I got to write and talk about things that I rarely speak of to any of my friends. Things that have been eating me up inside that he had experience in, and that he could relate to. We ended up after a while chatting on the phone, and they were all very deep, long and thoughtful conversations about life, dreams, and the world. A few days later we had decided to meet up, as in that way it would save both of our wallets with phone bills, and it would be good to talk to each other in person.
Even though I had a big day yesterday doing photoshoots for my upcoming “Where in Melbourne is Carmen Sandiego?” event, and being in the city from 2pm I still agreed to meet Life’s Lens in the city in the evening. I was nervous as hell, I kept asking my friends if it were possible to fake my death so I wouldn’t have to attend. They all just laughed at me and told me, “Yes Stef, just tweet saying, ‘I’m dead.’ then you’ll be right.” Of course, if I tried that, it wouldn’t work. I guess I was just stressed out and nervous. I actually think a lot, and because I think too much sometimes, I end up making situations worse for myself in my head.
I was kept in the company of my lovely friend Lady in Hat to pass the time until Life’s Lens arrived. I felt like a baton or torch that was being passed around, but in a good way! When Lady in Hat met Life’s Lens briefly, and knew I was safe, she finally went home to leave me on my date shouting at me, “I hope you have fun tonight!” then dashing off to the train station.
Throughout the night, my nerves faded into an oblivion. I did notice myself fidgeting a lot, but the more, and more Life’s Lens and I talked, the more comfortable I became. Life’s Lens I’m sure was quite nervous too, but perhaps he had a better way of hiding it compared to Little-Miss-Expressive, me.
Life’s Lens is a very interesting soul. He spoke passionately about his travels, about life, about photography, and of music. I was starting to see a strange pattern. I recalled the lovely Wordsmith from my first date talking about living in Japan for a while. It turns out Life’s Lens did the same, but he lived in Japan for 5 years, and was an event organiser, and DJ by night. These days by day he studies Law at university. It was really refreshing to hear such a driven soul that thrived on aspirations as well. A lot of my concerns, my complaints, and my thoughts that I shared; he understood where I was coming from. One of his comments was that, “It’s never too late to go back to study.” and I really like how he said that. I agree. Maybe I should study something too again? I haven’t been back to study anything since I finished high school. I mean, I did do some Japanese language short courses, but nothing else besides that.
We ate at a Thai restaurant, and I voiced how I was absolutely boring when it comes to food. I am horribly unadventurous, and I can’t cook to save my life. This didn’t bother Life’s Lens in the slightest bit. Whilst we ate, he handed me his DSLR camera to play with since I had stated to him how much I have loved photography, but have never taken a step forward to use and purchase a DSLR even though so many people have encouraged me to do so to nurture my photography. Maybe I should?
After we both had our dinner at the Thai restaurant, we ended up going to a lovely little restaurant-bar that had a Middle Eastern design and feel. At first when he decided to take me to a bar, telling me he’d like to take me to a place I had never been before, I freaked out. Because Life’s Lens is a DJ, I feared he’d throw me into the dark hole of bad dancing, and doof-doof music. But this was not the case. So of course, when I discovered how pleasant this particular restaurant-bar was, I secretly sighed with relief!!
When Life’s Lens described his life in Japan, DJing at the biggest venues, and living the dream, I was surprised and had to ask, “Well then, how come you came back? Why are you here?” He explained to me that he realized he had never done a degree, and wanted to add it to his achievements list. The way that Life’s Lens spoke about his life, about his experiences and his dreams, I was so attentive and could not look away. It’s very rare to meet people who speak so passionately about such things, and yet still can have a level head about the world. I liked that a lot. I could relate with the love for music as I mentioned to him that I enjoyed singing and songwriting, although he never heard me sing at all during the date.
Because Life’s Lens is originally from Adelaide, and lived in Japan for 5 years, he is actually quite a newbie when it comes to Melbourne having only been here for six months. I had to ask, “Have you ever been to the Shrine of Rememberance?” He had no idea what I was talking about, so I decided since he had his DSLR camera to walk on down to the shrine to show him. He asked me a couple of times, “Where are we going!?” But I told him, “Just trust me!” When we reached the shrine, of course Life’s Lens was amazed. I stated to Life’s Lens, “This is one of my most favourite places in the world.” He dropped a comment that, “Okay, so if we get separated like a Hollywood movie, we can always meet back here in a year at midnight.” It was so random and unexpected that I laughed in surprise, and then tried to think of what movie he was referring to. I asked but he told me that it pretty much was every Hollywood movie. {Of course later on on the way home I realised he was describing, “An Affair to Remember” but anyhow…!}
Life’s Lens ended up running around happily snapping photos with his camera whilst I walked around and enjoyed the quiet moments, and the view of Melbourne city. It didn’t bother me that he zig-zagged everywhere taking photos. I was quite happy that he was in his element. I get like that too when something is exciting and inspires me.
I didn’t realize how late it was until I checked the time. It was 11:30pm when I finally checked my phone, and I had been in the city since 2pm. I was exhausted. I told Life’s Lens that it was time for me to head home. I checked for the next two trains, and stated that I wouldn’t mind catching the second one. But whilst we left and were walking back from the shrine, he received a phone call from a friend asking to come meet at a bar somewhere. Life’s Lens asked me if I wanted to come, but by that point I felt like I was running on emergency power. I was exhausted, and felt it was time for me to head home. Surprised by my response he said to me, “Don’t think you have to leave or be rushed to go just because I received a telephone call. I can’t really control who calls me!” To be honest, yes I was leaving because of the phone call, but it was also because I had a long day and needed rest. I told him the truth, and I’m glad he didn’t take offense to it.
Life’s Lens ended up walking with me to the train station to send me off. Even though our conversations flowed and were really enthralling, there is never an easy way to say goodbye. Even though I had given Life’s Lens an awkward hug, I could tell that he wanted to speak to me more. I liked how he did most of the talking this time around with my dates. I really dislike having to speak all the time. I may be a woman of many words, but I enjoy listening too. Before I jumped on the train he told me, “It’s funny how we’re both from the same world, organising events, running around doing things, but when we hung out, it was just a nice quiet time. Let me know if ever you want to have a nice conversation and a calm quiet night again, okay? I would like to see you again. It’s really refreshing speaking to someone like you. I still need to get used to your sense of humour though.” In response I replied tapping my chest with my left hand’s knuckles as if to indicate I was real, and not hollow, “I may be little, and a bit strange, but there’s a big heart in here.” before I disappeared from his sight.
I wasn’t even halfway home when I received a text from him saying, “It was good to meet you. I feel I need more time to talk to you though! :p” When I read this text, I laughed aloud on the train back home, as I knew this was the case when I turned around and jumped on my train.
Overall, it was a good night. I was surprised I became so awkward, and fidgeted a lot, but I guess that’s what happens when you think too much, and you leave the date to someone else to take charge of. Besides me taking Life’s Lens to the shrine, I wasn’t really in charge of anything else that night which probably fueled my awkwardness and nervousness. Did you think it sounded like it went well? By the time I got home, I was exhausted, so please forgive me for only writing the day after!!
That’s all from me for now, I hope you enjoyed my entry, and I’m looking forward to my next date. ♥
