Etiquette when Bumping into an Ex

First, I would like to apologize for the lack of postings as late. I did the unthinkable...I started dating someone exclusively, and shock among shocks, it hasn't been blogworthy yet. Until this weekend.

The boy took me out for my birthday, a fun night that ended at my usual bar to see some punk rock bands. Since this is my regular hangout, I know many people there. This is the reason I've tried to never hook up with anyone from that bar...with the exception of one person (see http://horribledatingstories.blogspot.com/2008/08/dumber-than-door-francesca.html). I'm a pretty cool person, and feel like I can interact with most people I've dated (or whatever) after the fact. I mean, we're all adults, so it's not tough, right? I guess this does not apply to people who are outsmarted by doors.

Hanging at the bar, I saw some people I knew, so I went over to talk to them and to introduce the new guy. In the middle of the conversation, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder...it was Josh, the dumb guy. I brought him into the conversation, and to prevent any miscommunication, made sure to introduce my boyfriend by title. Things went well, and we went to get another drink. On the way to the bar, I informed said boy about who Josh was (he has heard many blog stories), and it was funny. The night was going well, no awkwardness...things are good, right?

Wrong. Josh started following the group we were with until he became part of the conversation...which is fine. At a lull in the conversation, in front of the boy, he asked me when we could hook up again. My repeated statements of being off the market (told him four times) finally sunk in...until he started asking if I had friends. Now, I mean, the guy is hot, but my friends do have some standards (conversation skills and being taller than 5'8" being among them). I tried to brush him off, and thought I'd succeeded when we left for the night.

Again, I should never assume these things. It looks like Josh took a page from the texting stalker's book and started blowing up my phone asking first for a time to hang out, then the numbers of my friends. Listen...desperation is not an attractive quality. He would have no problem finding a girl to have fun with, as long as she was short and he didn't talk... Yet another person entered into the "Ignore" name on the phone.