Jessica Walsh

Did you see Timothy today?
Yep.

What did y’all do together?
We went to the AIGA Bright Lights gala. Tim is on the benefit committee, and my design partner Stefan Sagmeister was being awarded the AIGA medal. It was nice to be there to show them both support. It was a wonderful evening full of food, friends, drinks, and more food.

aigabrightlightsgala-2

Did anything interesting happen?
I have sensed that Tim is not comfortable with public displays of affection. He has always kept the girls he dates private and separate from his friends or work relationships. In the four years I’ve known him, I’ve only met one or two of the girls he’s dated. Tim and I have been intimate for the past few weeks, but he avoids showing affection in front of anyone we know.

At the gala, a few of our friends wanted us to kiss to prove we were really dating. Tim became extremely uncomfortable by the pressure to kiss me in public. Is this just how he always is? Or is it just me? I’ll try not to take it personally, but it’s nice to be with someone who is proud to have me by their side.

Did you learn anything new about Timothy?
His face turns bright tomato red when he is embarrassed or feels pressured. I must admit I’ve always found this insanely adorable.

Did you learn anything new about yourself?
After the gala we took a cab from Chelsea to the Lower East Side to meet up with a couple friend of ours. It was raining out and the restaurant steps were very slippery. I was in five-inch heels and a long dress. On the way down the stairs, my dress got caught under my heel, and I completely wiped out and tumbled down the entire staircase!

The entire restaurant stopped eating and stared at me. Tim made so much fun of me for it. In the past, this sort of thing would have been so mortifying that it would have completely ruined my night. But more and more I don’t take myself too seriously. So I picked myself up and laughed it off and forgot about it almost immediately. I was able to enjoy the rest of the night without worry.

How do you feel about this relationship/project right now?
People who have heard about the experiment joke about how this would make an awesome wedding story. I recently read a psychology piece on attachment theory. It said that if two people are just physically proximate for enough time then they can fall in love, regardless of how different they are, or how they treat each other. Tim has really started to open up to me this past week, we’ve been having a great week, and we’ve grown closer. But I keep reminding myself of Tim’s dating history. Only a few days ago he was bragging about other women! I want to keep my guard up and prevent myself from getting too close too fast. That’s what I’ve done in the past.

Is there anything that you want to do differently?
In the words of one of my favorite artists, Jenny Holzer:
protectme2

Additional comments?
We enjoyed a few cocktails with our friends. It was a wonderful night. On our way out of the restaurant, we were all a little tipsy. I told Tim how hungry I was, and next thing I knew he swiped a bag of granola off the shelf.

granolathesmile

We laughed about it, but I did feel pretty guilty about it. I insisted on going back and returning it. Tim reassured me that we’d go back for brunch together and leave an extra large tip instead. The four of us wandered up and down the cobblestone streets of SoHo trying to find a cab. We passed the time by devouring the granola, making jokes, and splashing each other with the rain. We finally gave up on finding a taxi and hailed a Gypsy cab. We held each other and kissed the entire cab ride back to my place.

Timothy Goodman

Did you see Jessica today?
Oh yes.

What did y’all do together?
We went to the AIGA design gala. I was on the benefit committee, so I happily dragged her along with me. Also, her partner Stefan was being honored with a medal. We sat with him and his fiancée, Veza.

Did anything interesting happen?
At least four of our friends asked us to kiss during the course of the night. They wanted us to prove that we’re doing this experiment together, like it was some sort of a contest. It was ridiculous. My friend Esteban practically made us make out in front of him. And everyone asked if we’re going to keep dating after the 40 days. I felt tired from it all. Stefan’s fiancée was antagonizing me a lot, too. At one point she came up to me and said “you’re hot, but you’re a coward.”

Did you learn anything new about Jessica?
I love that Jessie lets me be me. I never feel like I have to conform for her, nor do I worry about her in social settings. We both had a lot of friends and people we knew there. I can be very sociable at parties, and even though she’s a bit more reserved, she’s always fun and up for whatever. I really appreciate this.

brightlights3

Did you learn anything new about yourself?
Is Veza right – am I really a coward? Perhaps. As I’ve said, something is holding me back. And it’s not just about having commitment issues. Yes, I do think the fear of commitment and the fear of monogamy are natural states of a lot of men. I salute those who are never tempted, because it’s damn hard for me to stay focused in NYC. I think I’ll know when it’s right and when I’m ready, though.

Men

How do you feel about this relationship/project right now?
Things have been really great the past week. But after all the questions during the Gala, I’m starting to feel pressured again. I hate that I feel like I need to decide something in the next nine days. Honestly, I wish we didn’t have to talk about it.

Is there anything that you want to do differently?
When it comes to the pressure, I need more patience. I’ve gotten a lot better, especially after living in San Francisco for a year and a half, but my patience isn’t the best.

Additional comments?
After the Gala, we met up with some friends for a drink at a spot in NoHo. As we were leaving, Jessie and I stole some oatmeal from this place. It was hilarious! She and I had a fun time and a good laugh.

timandjessie

This reminded me of what a klepto I was as a teenager. By the time I was 13, I practically had a baseball card racket going. My friends and I would wear tighty-whities, and stuff an entire box of baseball cards down our pants successfully. I still have my Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. When I was 14, we’d steal CDs from the used CD shop. I still have the entire Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd discographies because of it. When I was 15, we would steal Mad Dog 20/20, and then get drunk at the movies. When I was 16, I was stealing cigarettes from the gas station. And finally, when I was 17, we had enough of the small-time stuff. We convinced our friend to work at CVS Pharmacy, so we could literally hijack the joint. We’d come home with a garbage bag full of cigarrettes, cigars, beer, wine, rolling papers, candy bars, candles, anything we could party with. I was such a little dust-kicker. Anyway, even though those days are long gone, I love that Jessie can still bring a part of my youth out (even when it involves breaking the law). We had a good night.