I was finally moving into my new apartment, and it had only taken me a week to find it despite the numerous ‘No Vacancy’ signs hanging outside most of the high rises in the West End.

It was on Alberni Street, a few feet from Stanley Park, and had an excellent view of Coal Harbour and the North Shore mountains.

It’s probably much easier to find an apartment or condo to rent in Vancouver today than when I first moved here from Etobicoke, Ontario, in 1973.

In those days, the vacancy rate in downtown Vancouver was less than 1%.

We had just started a business in Toronto, and I would live in Vancouver.

Bobby Dundas would be in Montreal, and Jack, the senior partner, would remain at our office and warehouse in Toronto.

We were a textile company that sold to department stores and fabric stores.

Jack Alper was somewhat famous because he was the first to bring polyester from Japan to Canada.

At the time, polyester had various names, such as crimplene, crimpknit, trevira, dacron, terylene, and others, depending on the country of origin.

It’s similar to facial tissues that are usually referred to as Kleenex.

We were importers and converters of textiles, and most of our fabrics came from the United States and beyond.

But this story isn’t about textiles; I just wanted to explain why I had moved to Vancouver.

Previously, I was a manufacturers’ agent (self-employed salesman) representing companies in the textile industry.

I had a button and zipper line (HA Kidd & Co), trim and lace line (Morgan Uster Ltd), velvet line (Martin Fabrics), and fabrics (Champlain Textiles).

My territory included Central and Northern Ontario (basically everything north of Toronto).

I called on all of the established accounts and prospected for new customers.

My compensation was based on a draw against commission, meaning that each company sent me a monetary advance on the first of each month.

I paid for all my expenses (living and work-related) out of that draw and hoped that my monthly sales commissions would cover the advances.

My work-related expenditures included leasing a vehicle, gas, meals, hotels, entertainment for others, and dry cleaning bills for the suits I wore.

My usual living expenses were rent, utilities, clothes, and girls.

It was those combined expenses that made me become the best possible salesman I could ever be.

I was terrified of not covering my monthly expenses!

I remember filling my car with gas in Toronto and paying 39 cents a gallon!

I didn’t have a CHARGEX credit card then, so all my purchases were in cash.  (CHARGEX was the original name of VISA)

My monthly draw worked out to $175 per week – with no deductions for income tax, etc.

And it used to cost me one hundred dollars to travel on the road for a week – gas, hotel, and food.

Now you can understand the source of my financial worries.

But I was happy – and within a few months – making good money!

After a few visits, I became friends with many of my customers in northern Ontario.

Later, when I went into business, I decided to call my customers to thank them for their business and advise them of my upcoming move to Vancouver.

One store owner in Timmins was like an aunt to me.

Although sad to see me moving, she wanted me to know that her best friend had a daughter who now lived in Vancouver, and she knew the girl would like me.

However, I wasn’t interested – except – how could I say no to my friend and customer?

So I agreed and was given the girl’s name and phone number.

My friend, whose name I forget, said she would call the girl and tell her to expect a call from me.

When I arrived in Vancouver, the last thing I wanted to do was call this girl.  After all, I didn’t believe in blind dates (for both of our sake).

Besides, I had to get a new vehicle and find an apartment to rent in the West End – where the vacancy rate was less than 1%.

My priorities were like any self-respecting, single man: car first; pad second; business third; romance fourth.

For a vehicle, I chose a ’74 Trans Am, complete with a ‘hood scoop’.

It was white with white bucket seats – a real beauty.

I leased it from Jim Trinca, a salesman at BOWMAC, a GM Dealership that used to be in business on Broadway Avenue in Vancouver.

Jim invited me to his home on 10th Avenue.

It was a large house that he rented/shared with three other guys.

Did I mention it was a stone’s throw from the nurses’ residence?

Each of his roommates was also a salesman, so we had much in common.

And the nurses’ residence was nearby – but I already mentioned that.

Jim, the guys, and I visited the downtown pubs that weekend.  The first bar had live entertainment – and it was the first ‘titty’ bar I’d ever been in.

I was somewhat shocked to see naked dancers, and it gave me a sudden chill of loneliness.

But I was staying in a hotel and needed to focus on finding a place to rent.

Jim or one of the other guys would drive me around the West End, looking for a  ‘Vacancy’ sign outside, until one night, I found a place on Alberni Street, close to Stanley Park.

I paid the rent and security deposit and waited a couple of weeks until my furniture arrived before I could genuinely feel I was now a Vancouver resident!

Sometime later, while sitting alone in my apartment, I pulled the note with the girl’s name and number.

I fumbled with the paper – staring at it and wondering – should I call?

I finally gave in to the loneliness and called her.

Although it’s been many years, my memory only seems to remember essential events and personal incidents instead of remembering people’s names.

I always remember a face and my memorable experiences with that person.  But I couldn’t tell you if you asked me what this girl’s name was.

However, I remember some things about her, including our phone conversation.

She answered my phone call with a pleasant-sounding voice, and our conversation went something like this:

Girl:  Oh Danny!  [Timmins store owner’s name] told me all about you.  I was expecting to hear from you weeks ago – I assumed you weren’t interested in meeting me.

Danny:  Oh no, I’m sorry, but I’ve been busy getting some wheels, finding a place to rent and conduct business at the same time.  I would like to get together with you – if you’re interested – but I know that blind dates are scary and …

Girl:  Yes, how about Friday night?

Danny:  Okay, yes, uh-duh, what’s your address?

She gave me her address and then quickly said goodbye.

She didn’t ask me anything about myself – which I thought was weird.

And that’s when the doubts and fears started to ebb and flow inside my tiny brain.

‘She’s probably desperate,’ I thought, ‘maybe I’m the first guy that’s even called her in months!’

Why did I ever agree with [Timmins store owner] to go out with her friend’s daughter?

I am such a ‘mark’ for a sob story!

But what did I have to lose – being stuck with someone with whom I have nothing in common?

My new friend Jim almost answered that question for me.

I told him about the phone call and pending blind date with a girl who lived in Surrey.

Jim threw his arms up in the air and explained that having a girlfriend who lived that far away from downtown Vancouver was geographically impossible. 

Remember, this was 1973 – before the new highways and skytrain!

I bought a city map from a gas station and looked for her address.  I gauged the distance to be the equivalent of driving from Oshawa to Toronto (30 miles), which was a ‘piece of cake’ for a kid from Ontario!

I parked in the parking lot of her complex and then rang the buzzer to her apartment.

Girl:  Hello?

The background was the sound of either a baby crying or fifty fingernails scratching down the blackboard at school!

Now, don’t get me wrong – I love kids! I get a little uncomfortable when the pitch of their crying is so high that it breaks windshields.

Danny:  It’s Danny! Uh, duh…

Girl:  I’ll be down in a minute! I’m just giving the babysitter instructions.

I stood in the lobby and waited for the elevator door to open.  It did several times, but not with anyone resembling a twenty-something-year-old girl.

After about ten minutes, she appeared – and I was shocked – she was nothing like I had imagined.

I’d almost talked myself into believing that my blind date would appear wearing a t-shirt with an ‘eat your heart out – I’m married’ slogan, a cigarette hanging from her mouth, her hair in curlers, no makeup, and no front teeth.

Wow, was I ever wrong!

Because the girl in the lobby was as beautiful as any girl I’d ever dated!

Although I still can’t remember her name – I can remember her face and body, which were stunning!

She appeared surprised as she gave me the once-over, and her eyes seemed to light up as she flashed a beautiful smile – and had teeth, too!

Girl:  Hi Danny!

Danny:  Hi (Girl)!

I didn’t want to appear too interested or anxious, but I couldn’t stop smiling – from ear to ear.

Danny:  You’re the prettiest girl I’ve seen in 3 weeks!

I cringed immediately after saying it – even though it had always been my most effective ‘opening line’ when meeting a girl.

You should never let someone know you’re interested in them by acting too anxious.

‘Try to maintain a little mystery, you jerk!’ I mumbled to myself.

Girl:  You’re not what I’d envisioned.

Danny:  In a good or bad way?

Girl:  I’m not sure.  It’s just that I’ve never been on a blind date before, but my Mom’s best friend kept calling me and insisting that I go out with you.

Danny:  I hate blind dates, too!  So, do I pass the test?

Girl:  I don’t know – it’s too early.  But I’ll know soon enough – it’s my job to be a quick study on people.

Danny:  Are you a cop?

Girl:  No.  I’m a customs officer.

Danny: ‘WTF!  (Why That’s Fascinating!) I shouted out loud, [The other WTF acronymn had not yet been invented] my Dad’s a customs officer in Toronto!

Oops!  I instantly regretted opening my big pie hole.

‘Try to maintain a little mystery, you jerk!’ I mumbled to myself again.

She liked my car, and we were going downtown within minutes.

I suggested an excellent multi-level nightclub called Oil Can Harry’s at 752 Thurlow Street, and it had live bands playing on each of the three levels.

I was hoping she’d see the place for the first time – because I knew it would impress her – and that is what any self-respecting guy would do on a first date.

But as we entered the first level, the giant bouncer at the door suddenly started hugging my date.

Within a few seconds, they were laughing and hugging, and I was standing there like one of those wax figures you’d see in Madame Tussauds Famous Wax Museum.

I wasn’t jealous – I’ve never been jealous.  But I did feel left out.

Finally, we grabbed a table and ordered drinks, but the music was too loud to carry a conversation – so we just drank and danced.

I remember she was a good dancer and smelled pretty good, too.

I hoped for a slow dance, but the band played fast songs.

But when they played the first slow song, I reached out to grab her hand, but she wrapped both arms around me in a hug – so I followed, and soon we were standing alone, almost motionless on the dance floor.

I’m sure the other people watched us and thought we should leave enough room between us for daylight, but we were both oblivious to the surroundings.

There’s something sexy about a slow dance that, if done correctly, can be a green light to other, more passionate activities.

Suddenly, she stopped hugging me, grabbed my hand, and led me off the dance floor.

Within minutes, we were heading back to her place in Surrey.

I don’t remember much about the drive, but I remember what happened when we arrived at her apartment.

How could I ever forget?

My date paid the babysitter and then put on some music.

I remember it was Barry White, her favorite singer, whose songs were perfect for the evening.

Soon, the living room was dark, with only the light of a single candle.

I could feel the excitement and anticipation growing as she threw a couple of cushions on the floor.

Soon, our eyes locked, and she moved closer until our faces almost touched.

Her eyes began to close, and I knew she was waiting for our lips to meet.

As we kissed, a debate arose inside my tiny brain – should I try for more or be content with kissing and hugging?

Most guys faced with this dilemma would think with their ‘other’ brain and make the mistake of trying to get to first base too soon (as though making out is like baseball!).

Nope, a person once told me that you should wait until you’re both ready to commit to each other – such as going steady or marriage.

But just before our kissing got to the point of no return – she stopped and looked deeply into my eyes and said:

Do you think I’m promiscuous?

I stared back into her eyes but didn’t know how to answer her because I didn’t know what the word ‘promiscuous’ meant!

I had never heard the word before, but in the heat of the moment and somewhat out of breath, I guessed that it meant someone attractive or desirable – so I answered:

Yes!

It was the first time that I had ever had my face slapped, and I was both shocked and confused!

WTF!’(Why The Face!) I shouted. I didn’t mean to upset you.  I don’t even know what that word means.

And I can honestly say that it was the truth – I had never heard of the word ‘promiscuous’ before!

But she was already standing, and soon, all the lights in her apartment were on, and I was driving back to Vancouver.

She never told me what the word meant, and we never saw each other again.

The other mistake I made that evening was telling my new friend Jim about what had happened.

He couldn’t tell me what the word ‘promiscuous’  meant because he couldn’t stop laughing at me.

And that, dear reader, is when I learned a new word.

A few years after meeting her, she called me when I lived in Milton, Ontario. Canada Customs transferred her to Toronto International Airport.

However, I had just begun dating Annette and wasn’t interested.

I wished her well, and a few years later, Annette and I were married.

This is a true story!

Dedicated to [Timmins store owner’s name].

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

When I saw you standing there
I ’bout fell out my chair
And when you moved your mouth to speak
I felt the blood go to my feet

Now, it took time for me to know
What you tried so not to show
Something in my soul just cried
I see the want in your blue eyes

Baby, I’d love you to want me
The way that I want you
The way that it should be
Mmm, baby, you’d love me to want you
The way that I want to
If you’d only let it be

You told yourself years ago
You’d never let your feelings show
The obligation that you’ve made
For the title that they gave

Baby, I’d love you to want me
The way that I want you
The way that it should be
Mmm, baby, you’d love me to want you
The way that I want to
If you’d only let it be

[Instrumental]

Now, it took time for me to know
What you tried so not to show
Something in my soul just cried
I see the want in your blue eyes

Baby, I’d love you to want me
The way that I want you
The way that it should be
Mmm, baby, you’d love me to want you
The way that I want to
If you’d only let it be

Oh, baby, I’d love you to want me
The way that I want you
The way that it should be
Mmm, baby, you’d love me to want you
The way that I want to
If you’d only let it be

Songwriters: Kent Lavoie

Here’s what Danny is listening to now: These Songs Will Make You Smile Today.