Date Lab And if you feel
like I feel, baby … Blake Whitney, 28, copy editor and page designer Mark Shields, 33, public relations specialist
desired superpower … Blake: The ability to fly! Then I’d never have to take Metro again. And, as a marathon runner, it’d probably help me run some really fast races. Mark: I’d like the ability to stop time at will. This would be hugely useful for napping whenever the mood struck; never, ever being late or rushed for anything; always having time to hit the gym longer; write thank-you notes; floss and do all the little things that seem to slip so easily through the cracks despite our best intentions.
brag a little … Blake: I’m a fairly engaging, fiercely loyal, naturally masculine, fit guy who has a good sense of humor and a lot of energy. Mark: I think I’ve hit that sweet spot where I’ve been through the growing pains of my 20s, but I am still pretty young at heart. I like to fancy myself as being a good-hearted, smart, fun person to be around.
interviews by stephen Lowman
7:30 p.m., Marvin, U Street Blake: I decided I wanted to get there a little early. I thought it would be better to be the first person there, so you can get the lowdown of what’s going on and watch people come in. That actually ended up being a terrible idea. Basically, the only purpose it served me was to become increasingly paranoid when anyone would walk in. By the time he arrived on time, I was a little bit of a discombobulated mess. Mark: He looked like a good, solid guy, a little bit younger than me. I usually go for my age or older. When I first met him, he seemed nervous. I thought, This might be a lot of work. He had a drink already, so I got one to catch up. Blake: He arrived right on time. He may not be the type I normally go
Former professional cheerleader seeks outgoing, family-oriented
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for, but that type hasn’t worked out in the past [anyway]. He was cute, dressed well, had nice hair. I’m not sure there were fireworks going off, but I was pretty excited about him. We talked about wondering how we were matched up, and from there we went into the whole “What do you do for work?” We talked about our families, where we grew up, things like that. Mark: It quickly became fun, and I started to like him. He’s a good Kentucky boy. He doesn’t have a Kentucky Southern drawl accent, though, which I appreciated. He has a nice, gentle ease about him that is very pleasant. I liked that he was politically aware and a runner. After the first or second cocktail, things loosened up and started flowing a little more. Blake: I don’t go on a ton of dates as it is, and then to go on one like this, well, I give him credit for sticking with me, because I was kind of awkward at first. He’s very easy to talk to and funny. [And] I thought it was admirable that he had volunteered for AmeriCorps
8 The WashingTon PosT Magazine | august 1, 2010
your type … Blake: I tend to like guys my age or older, because most guys younger than me tend to be a mess. Guys who are secure with being out of the closet but who also aren’t defined by being gay. I’m skinny enough as it is, so someone who is a little bigger than me is always nice. I seem to go for guys with brown hair. And a guy who doesn’t look airbrushed or waxed. I like guys. Mark: I like grown-ups: men who are comfortable being who they are. I tend to be a creative freethinker, and while I like that in a partner, I also want someone who’s got his feet firmly on the ground. I like people who understand shades of gray, as opposed to seeing the world in black or white. I typically like guys my height or taller who are handsome in a not-fussy, guy-next-door kind of way.
and that he wasn’t the type who identifies himself by his career. Mark: Since we were at Marvin, I asked if he liked any Marvin Gaye songs. He said, “You know how there
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