Mix and Match

Meet the Mix:
Now for a little bit about the test subjects (or guinea pigs, as I like to refer to them): Katherine Durham, the Art Director at Pink Magazine. Born in Jackson, MS, she's beautiful, smart, wickedly funny, and was our first choice for "single gal." She's opinionated, but not overly so (unless you disagree with her), and we knew her spunk and wit would make for an interesting evening. We had our girl-now for the hard part: the guy.

Meet the Match:
I've heard finding a good man is hard, but try finding one who's willing to let his first date be chronicled in, of all things, a womens' magazine. First you gotta find him, then you gotta explain the concept, then you gotta hold your breath and hope.and then pray his buddies don't change his mind! Luckily, we got our man: Jason Cawthorne, native of Lynchburg, VA, handsome, funny, ITAdministrator at Sea Pines Resort, and genuinely a nice guy.

The Date:
Settling into a cozy booth at Frankie Bones, I nudged into the corner and watched them get to know each other. It's funny when you've been out of the dating scene for a while to watch people go through that first date dance. You forget all the little first date nuances-nervous laughter, coy smiles, occasional awkward silence-and this was no exception. Katherine and Jason slowly began to feel each other out. Each not knowing what to expect (this was a blind date), they nervously but sweetly shared information about themselves, and after a couple of minutes, the conversation started to flow more naturally. Comparing lives, they found out they had a lot in common. I watched and listened as they learned about one another, waiting patiently for the right moment to start the "Mix and Match" part of the evening. My opportunity came right along with the appetizers. Happy for a break from quizzing each other, they started nibbling on pizza-aaahhhh, there was my chance. I got out my little box of questions, and threw the first one on the table:

This is where it gets GOOD!
What's the most beautiful place you've ever been?
K: New Orleans at Christmas
J: Mountaintops of Colorado

Favorite celebrity?
K: Britney Spears-you never know what's going to happen with her.
J: Les Claypool (he had to tell us who he is!)-bassist for the band, Primus, a "funkadelic pyscho rock band". This answer raised Katherine's eyebrows, and got Jason explaining his taste in music.

If you could live anywhere else, where would it be?
K: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico-water is pristine and lots of fun things to do-but I'd want to travel around the world first just to make sure.
J: On a sailboat under the stars-anything to do with water.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
K: Architect-I used to love to build forts as a kid! But lack of funds and a general impatience with those four long years of college nixed that idea!
J: Spiderman-'cause he's SPIDERMAN! Damsels in distress, hero worship-you get the idea. Not too keen on the tights, though.

What couldn't you say no to?
K: George Clooney (I have to agree with her on that one)
J: Helping people-his friends affectionately call him "MacGyver," to which Katherine handed him the salt shaker and a pack of Sweet-n-Low and said, "show us what you can do".

Most unusual thing you can do?
K: Install an electrical outlet (to which Jason was duly impressed).
J: Impressions, his favorite of which is the dad on 'Family Guy.' Lucky for him, neither of us has ever seen that show, so no critiques there!

What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
K: Moved here solo not knowing anyone
J: Ran around the neighborhood in nothing but a strategically placed tube sock.

At this point, Katherine decided to come clean and admitted to her true craziest act: While working as a cocktail waitress (and wearing a dorky hat and goofy skirt), she took a dare from a guy and swapped her skirt for his khakis. She made $200 in tips before getting fired. Totally worth it though! Jason then asked if she'd swap her dress for his khakis.

Scariest Movie?
K: Poltergeist-all the actors from that movie seem to be hexed. After this revelation, Jason kept saying, "they're here."
J: House of 1000 Corpses, since it "could really happen." Katherine cracked up laughing at this announcement, asking him what the heck kind of houses does he hang out at.

Favorite Movie?
K: Moulin Rouge-loves the French theme
J: "Click" with Adam Sandler-it's a movie that'll really make you think (to which Katherine replied, "as opposed to House of 1000 Corpses-that'd make me think!).

What do you want to do before you die?
K: Go to a strip club and strut her stuff (tongue firmly in cheek here). Jason answered with, "Life is short, you should fulfill this dream IMMEDIATELY. Check, please!"
J: Help Katherine fulfill her dream; and also meet someone who's as silly and crazy as I am.

Favorite Food?
K: Peanut Butter-but only the natural, non-sugar-y type. I'm very picky about my nuts-I like my nuts the way I like 'em (I won't repeat the conversation that followed this admission).
J: Shrimp, any way, shape or form-think Bubba from Forrest Gump.

Favorite Quote/Pickup Line?
K: I like my nuts the way I like 'em.
J: Wanna come over for a Popsicle and a glass of wine? (Calm down--this is actually from a movie about a guy who drives an ice cream truck).

The Beginning...or the End:
This question signaled the end of any more questions. Katherine and Jason had reached that critical point on a first date where conversation flowed naturally instead of awkwardly and forced. My role as mother/chaperone/third wheel was done. I politely excused myself-which, had I not been sitting on the inside of the booth (thus forcing Jason to get up to let me out), probably would not have even been noticed. As I left, I turned to say goodbye and found them immersed once again in conversation, Katherine pointing out that Jason should NEVER use the popsicle quote for a pickup line, and Jason saying, "maybe that's why I'm still single."

How You Can Be a Mix & Match Candidate:
If you'd like to be considered for our Mix & Match article, please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name, age, occupation, hobbies, what you are looking for in a match and a recent photo.

Leave a comment

You are commenting as guest.