I'm exhausted so this is going to be really really short.
Fish event last night....
Hot Stud agreed to be my escort over a month ago.
Confirmed it a couple of days ago (without me reminding him)
Yesterday around 1ish, I called to confirm pick up times.

And there's a long pause on his end.
(Remember, he has a history of getting bogged down with work or flaking out for some other reason, so I had two back up dates lined up - but they would have had to pull a miracle to be there w/ a few hours notice.)

He tells me that he's still working and might have to cut out early.
I told him that if he couldn't go, then tell me and I could have someone else take me.
He said "I'm not cancelling on you, I just might have to leave early."

(I of course am thinking he makes an appearance and disappears after 15 mins.)

I specifically invited him because he'd never been before and he just got a new camera and I thought he'd really enjoy it. And I enjoy his company.

Anxiety level during the call increasing...

I tell him that he's not getting work done by talking to me. That I am going home from work around 4 to change clothes and I'd call him then to see where things stood.

I called backup date #1 and left a vm.
I called backup date #2 and left a vm.
A third possibility came to mind, so I called him, told him the situation and asked if he'd be game with being on hold for the event for a couple of hours. (He lives around the corner from the fish tank) He was cool with it.

4pm. I get dressed. I'm irked. Typical Hot Stud - the flake factor - I had been SO looking forward to this event and I wasn't going to go alone. And dammit I wasn't going to let him rain on my parade (even though we got 4 inches of rain that day)

I called him and he said that he was going to meet me there.
And he did.
Looked super-snappy.
Polite and polished all night long. Tried to make some good business introductions for him with contacts I had there. He took TONS of pics. (Can't wait to see them). He carried my food for the buffet, my awards, etc.

I got recognition pins, a large snowglobe that plays music replicating one of my favorite galleries, and... a 2 night deluxe accomodation stay at a chi-chi inn/winery north of atlanta.

Of course, Hot Stud heartily volunteered to accompany me on that. I laughed and said that he hardly had the time for a 3 hour fish tank thing, much less a 2 night trip.

The more time I spend with him, the more baffling he gets.

I'm dog-ass worn out. It's 7pm and I'm going to bed.