Girl on Top

By David Perloff
Photos by John Mireles

How do you get a conservative guy and a 28-year-old virgin to disrobe at the beginning of their first date? Watch...

Megan and Ryan are about to disembark their Epic Limo at The Boudoir Divas in Sorrento Valley. It’s typically women who call on the sexifying photography studio to provide sensual keepsakes for themselves and their lovers, but tonight is PacificSD’s annual Valentine-vibed blind date, so we’re pulling out all the stops - and pulling off as much of the daters’ clothing as they’ll allow. Before they arrive, let’s review the pre-date interviews.

PacificSD: Where are you from and where do you live now?
MEGAN: West Philadelphia, born and raised. Oh, wait, no - it’s San Diego. I’m from San Diego.
RYAN: I’m originally from Maryland, near the Chesapeake Bay. I moved to San Diego two years ago and I live in Encinitas now.

What do you do for a living?
MEGAN: I’m a writer and soon-to-be personal trainer/wellness coach. After participating in a few fitness competitions, I decided to study for some professional certifications so that I can help others live a healthy lifestyle. I’m working on building my own business.
RYAN: I am part of the management team for my favorite gym in San Diego... maybe even in the world. It’s called the Point Loma Sports Club. I’m also involved in an interesting little startup from the right side of the country and, just for fun, I have an invention that I’m working on here and there.

Why are you going on a blind date in Pacific Magazine?
MEGAN: I seem to be making a habit of going on dates for entertainment’s sake. In the past, I did two blind date radio show segments and even dated one of the guys for a while.
RYAN: A friend of a friend asked me to do it; it sounded like fun. Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I’m going to need someone to buy flowers for.

What do you do for fun?
MEGAN: I work out, go snowboarding, hit up local breweries with some friends, or I’m always down to try something new and adventurous.
RYAN: Exploring new places in and around San Diego has kept me pretty busy for the last two years. I am also into cafe racers, surfing, yoga, strength training, weekend trips north or south, snowboarding, fire breathing and the Baltimore Ravens.

What are you best at?
MEGAN: Cooking healthy meals that don’t taste healthy.
RYAN: I like helping other people maximize their potential, especially in the gym, because developing that type of mental focus and dedication in spite of ups and downs has the potential to cause so many positive changes in someone’s life.

What do you suck at?

MEGAN: Managing my time. You say ‘procrastination.’ I say, ‘works well under pressure.’

RYAN: Picking movies. My friends won’t let me pick them anymore after we all watched

Killer Joe

one night. It was terrible. Why did Matthew McConaughey have to be sooo nasty in that movie?

What are you looking for in a date, physically and/or otherwise?

MEGAN: I would like a man who is just as dedicated to health and fitness as I am, and someone who is kindhearted, adventurous and chivalrous.

RYAN: I’m most interested in spending time with someone who values the moment we are in above all else, but is balanced enough to be passionate about goals of her own. It would be really great if our talents happened to provide valuable contributions to each other’s mission in life as well... and I’m also very open to tossing all of that out the window for the right person.

Describe your special brand of sex appeal in five words or less.

MEGAN: Unicorn.

RYAN: My sex appeal is something that would have to be defined by someone else, because everyone has his or her own unique perception of what is appealing about another person.

Rate yourself on a scale from one to 10 for looks.

MEGAN: Attractiveness is subjective. I think I’m good looking but I hate associating a number with outward appearance.

RYAN: Maybe a four, possibly a five, if I’m feeling saucy. I just shaved my beard and handlebar ‘stache as part of a negotiation for my role at the Point Loma Sports Club, and it’s been messing with my self-image.

Rate yourself on a scale from one to 10 for personality.

MEGAN: One hundred.

RYAN: I like my personality, but that doesn’t mean that everyone would, so I’ll go for an eight that could creep up to a nine - once my beard grows back, of course.

What traits could your date exhibit that would be complete deal-breakers?

MEGAN: Arrogance, ignorance and just having and overall bad attitude.

RYAN: Well, I’m not into pretty faces that lack depth and development. Also, being rude to anyone, fearful, or easily angered is a massive turnoff. Just be nice.

How many people have you slept with?

MEGAN: Read the article I wrote in this issue of the magazine. [See “Untouched for the Very First Time,” page 88.]

RYAN: I do not think I would want to know this about a significant other, but, since you asked, my number is more than one and one less than I want it to be, because I haven’t found the right one.

Fill in the blanks: I want my blind date to be “blank” and “blank.”

MEGAN: I want my blind date to be fit and friendly.

RYAN: Is a fun, unexpected fairytale adventure that ends happily ever after really too much to ask?

Will the night end with a kiss, something more or something less?

MEGAN: I’m just hoping there’s no awkward ass-out hug.

RYAN: The future is organized well beyond my pay grade, but if things go really well, and I can keep it together, I might kiss her, on the cheek... maybe.

What’s the most important thing in the world?

MEGAN: Love. Oh, and beer. Beer is very important, too.

RYAN: I’d have to say that the impact that we all have on the lives that surround us every day is the most important thing in the world.

As the daters arrive at The Boudoir Divas, Megan heads to the dressing room with studio co-owner/photographer Marissa Bouchér. When she emerges (having waved off the typical boudoir lingerie, opting instead to sport the sportier garb she’s accustomed to) Ryan removes his sweater and shirt, and the two start doing pushups (Ryan’s idea) to pump up for the camera. Next, Ryan does clapping pushups... and then does a few where he claps behind his back.

THANK YOU!

Epic Limo

858.270.LIMO (5466)

epiclimo.com

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Turning the other Cheek

The first one cast a harsh shadow

Sufficiently pumped, the couple climbs into bed, posing for the camera and laughing between flexes. When Marissa says, “Can you put your hand on Ryan’s chest?” Megan obliges without hesitation. The two seem to be getting along beautifully when Ryan proposes performing Acroyoga, a version of yoga that involves two people posing together. He’s new at it, and it’s Megan’s first time (wink, wink), but the two look like elegant experts thanks to Ryan’s calm and precise direction.

After putting their clothes back on, the couple jumps back in the limo for the ride to Top of the Market, the exquisite fine dining restaurant atop The Fish Market on the downtown waterfront. Chef Ivan Flowers has prepared overthe- top culinary creations for the couple, treating them to, among other culinary delights, a rare and exceptional grilled louver fish, caught this afternoon off the San Diego coastline from the restaurant’s own fishing boat. Snazzy!

Talking and laughing throughout the meal, Ryan and Megan appear to be getting along famously. Once they’ve had a chance to finish their final course, they’re split for mid-date debriefings.

PacificSD

: How’s it going so far?

MEGAN: I’m surprised, actually, of how well it’s going so far. It’s going better than I thought it would, let’s put it that way.

RYAN: The date’s going way better than I had expected. I don’t really go into things like this with any kind of attachments to outcomes, so it’s really great to be pleasantly we actually go to the same church and didn’t even know it, so our outlook on spirituality seems to be fairly similar, which is huge for me.

Is this the type of person you’d normally date?

MEGAN: Honestly, I wouldn’t normally date somebody who wasn’t taller than me, but, having said that, I find myself attracted to him and his personality and just everything about him.

RYAN: There’s not a type of person that I normally date, but she is the type of person I would date.

What do you think of the way your date is dressed?

MEGAN: He told me he has a fashion consultant. I think that he is dressed very well; he is very well put together and looks like he put some thought into his outfit, so he is dressed very nicely.

RYAN: She’s cute.

How was your experience at The Boudoir Divas?

MEGAN: It was awkward at first. I mean, I don’t think that it’s very typical to get half-naked on the first date, but I felt very comfortable with the people who work there. I felt very comfortable with Ryan. Everything about it was actually really fun and it was surprisingly entertaining.

RYAN: We were both initially very concerned about what our mothers would say, and I think, to both of us, it’s important to project an image to people that matches our beliefs in who we are. But as it progressed, we had a lot of fun.

How was your experience at Top of the Market?

MEGAN: Oh, my goodness, dinner was amazing. The chef brought us this multicourse meal that was out of this world. I can’t remember the last time I had a dinner that was this amazing. We had a beautiful view of the ocean, and all of the staff, beginning to end, was super friendly. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.

RYAN: The dinner was incredible. I was blown away; we enjoyed it so much. The food was amazing and the service was top-notch. And the wine, especially the red, was perfect. Our favorite thing, actually, was the oyster shooter - it was absolutely amazing.

What’s the most attractive thing your date has done so far?

MEGAN: He has been a gentleman, so he has pulled out chairs, opened doors and always been respectful. He’s asked really smart questions and engages in meaningful conversation, and that is attractive to me.

RYAN: She has connected with my mission in life. To me, that’s something that takes a lot of elements to be able to identify with. It’s kind of a complicated thing; your mission in life comes from really deep, and it’s always refreshing to connect with someone on that level.

What would your parents say if you brought your date home?

MEGAN: They would probably be very fond of him, because he seems to be very well-mannered. I couldn’t imagine him as anything other than respectful if he met my parents.

RYAN: I think that my parents would be shocked, Number One, like, ‘How did you do so well with a girl like this?’ I mean, look at this girl - they would be blown away. And Number Two, I think they would be really happy, because we have a very similar worldview, and that’s really important to them as well. Besides that, she’s got her head on straight; she’s a good girl.

Rate your date on a scale from one to 10 for looks.

MEGAN: I already refused to do the number-scale-rating nonsense, but I think he is very attractive. RYAN: Well that’s easy, ten.

How about for personality?

MEGAN: He has a great personality; I’ll give him a nine.

RYAN: She’s got a great personality; she’s a ten.

Do you want to kiss your date now?

MEGAN: I don’t typically kiss on the first date, but I wouldn’t be opposed to kissing him.

RYAN: That’s something I would probably wait on. Of course, nobody would say, “No, I wouldn’t want to kiss a girl like that,” but I do value things like that developing over time.

Does your date want to kiss you?

MEGAN: I don’t know.

RYAN: I think that she is similar to me and I think we probably find each other mutually attractive, but I believe we’re both slightly reserved intentionally.

THANK YOU!

The Boudoir Divas

10025 Huennekens St.,

Sorrento Valley

858.485.0443,

theboudoirdivas.com

Top of the Market

750 North Harbor Dr.,

Downtown

619.232.3474,

thefishmarket.com

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Altitude Adjustment

Bright lights, big city, nightlife with a view

Back in the limo after the mid-date break, Megan and Ryan head to Altitude Sky Lounge, where DJ beats echo across the top of the city. After snapping a few final pics, the camera crew finally leaves the couple alone for the rest of the evening. Two days later, we call to see what we missed.

PacificSD

: How was having the limo at your disposal all night?

MEGAN: Juan, our driver, was super friendly, and cruising around S.D. in a limo definitely made it feel like a VIP experience.

RYAN: The limo rides felt like a nice breath between all of the activities, besides making us feel super fancy as we stepped out in front of the restaurant and club. Juan, our driver, was so great. On the way home, he told me that, after being a silent observer throughout the night, he thinks Megan is really into me. So, besides being a cool person, Juan is also great at keeping my self-image strong.

How was Altitude Sky Lounge?

MEGAN: The music was on point, the view of downtown was phenomenal, and our VIP booth allowed us the opportunity to chat while still feeling like part of the fun atmosphere. You could kick back and relax with a drink or get a little crazy and dance - best of both worlds.

RYAN: Altitude was super fun. The lighting, open fire pit, incredible view and ambiance were great. We also made some great new friends while we were there, too. I could easily see getting a little wild there some other time.

What did you drink there?

MEGAN: I had a mandarin vodka press.

RYAN: Megan went with her go-to, which was some type of fancy, mixed vodka drink, and I had whisky neat.

Where did you go and what did you do for the rest of the evening after Altitude?

MEGAN: After the bar, we both went home.

RYAN: We had a long limo ride back to Megan’s house. By this point in the night, we had solved almost all of the world’s problems, so we started talking about fitness for the first time that evening, which was not what I expected.

When did you get home?

MEGAN: Around 1:30 a.m.

RYAN: Around 1:30 a.m., nothing too crazy.

Was there a kiss or romantic exchange?

MEGAN: No kiss. He was the perfect gentleman and walked me to my door, though.

RYAN: Wait, what was the question again? Oh, no, I was daydreaming about the next date.

How and when did the date end?

MEGAN: The date ended after we hugged goodbye at my doorstep.

RYAN: It ended positively, because we had a great evening and connected well on a real level, which is always nice to encounter. I dropped her off at home around 1:00 a.m. and I knew by that point that we will at least make good friends or workout buddies, and possibly have great synergy in several areas. So the rest is to be determined.

What was the best part of the date?

MEGAN: My favorite part was getting to talk at Altitude Sky Lounge. At this point, we had gotten to know each other a bit and had some time to ourselves.

RYAN: The whole thing was great. The food was amazing, the places we went were right-on and, as it turns out,

PacificSD

is not a terrible matchmaker.

What was the worst part of the date?

MEGAN: I wouldn’t say it was the ‘worst,’ but I think the photo shoot scenario on a bed thirty minutes after we met each other caught me off-guard a little bit, especially since we’re both pretty conservative. With that said, it ended up being fun.
RYAN: The worst part was that it had to end.

Will there be a second date? Why or why not?

MEGAN: We’ve already had a second date.

RYAN: I think that we will probably continue to get to know each other until we become friends or something else, because we brought out some good things in each other, had a great time, and she wasn’t hesitant to challenge me on things like my stupid bracelets that carry no significance.

What did you learn about yourself last night?

MEGAN: That height is a superficial standard that I’m deservedly tossing out the window.

RYAN: That my stupid bracelets are shallow, meaningless pieces of wood-and-leather decoration that serve no purpose outside of vanity, so now I’m using one of them for the twenty-one-day-complaint-free challenge. Check it out at

acomplaintfreeworld.org

, and we can change the world together.

AFTERMATCH:

Megan and Ryan are both into fitness, they attend the same church, and they’ve already had a second date (which Ryan didn’t own up to, BTW). Having been saving herself for marriage, might Megan finally be in the position to end her 28-year dry streak? While that may seem like a stretch, both daters are flexible in more ways than one. When you fall off a horse, as the saying goes, you’re supposed to get back on. Whether that applies to “unicorns,” as Megan describes herself, is anyone’s guess... and maybe Ryan’s fantasy. Perhaps the fairytale ending here will be a Reverse Cowgirl* (aka Girl on Top 2.0) which would make a great start to Megan’s first rodeo. Giddy up!

*[Editor’s note: Mom, don’t Google that.]

THANK YOU!

ALTITUDE Sky Lounge

660 K St., Gaslamp

619.696.0234,

sandiegogaslamphotel.com