The first time I climbed into a stranger’s convertible for the sake of a story, I should have called my therapist. Maybe even my rabbi. But in my defense, the stranger was a retired magician who claimed he once saw Houdini’s ghost. And how could I not follow that lead? So there I was, zipping down Sunset Boulevard at 2 p.m. on a Tuesday, chasing not just the faint scent of Houdini but, apparently, a newfound commitment to “method writing.” (Spoiler alert: this was only the beginning.)

It all started when my editor suggested I tackle a piece on the hidden layers of Los Angeles dating culture. I figured it’d be a breezy assignment. A few insightful interviews, sprinkle in some witty observations about rooftop bars and astrology apps, and call it a day. Little did I know, this story would spiral into a series of increasingly bizarre encounters that deserve their own Netflix miniseries. Looking back, I can confidently say the weirdest thing I’ve ever done for a story is … well, all of it. Here are the greatest hits.

#1: Attending a Singles’ Mime Workshop

You haven’t truly questioned your life choices until you find yourself miming “trapped in a glass box” between two aspiring actors who are very much into method acting … and each other. The mime workshop, hosted at an unassuming studio on Melrose Avenue, promised to “teach the art of nonverbal connection for deeper, more meaningful relationships.” In retrospect, it mostly taught me that love can, in fact, flourish silently — just not for me.

Midway through the workshop, as one enthusiastic participant mimed “rowing a boat” (and maybe flirting?) in my direction, I realized I was more entranced by the sheer absurdity of it all than any actual romantic insights. But hey, I did learn a useful tip: body language matters. Like, please stop rowing toward me matters.

#2: Speed-Dating ... for Your Dog

Let me set the scene: twenty-five dachshunds awkwardly sniffing each other on a faux-grass patio while their owners swapped life stories over rosé spritzers. This was matchmaking for dog owners — theoretically, a genius concept, especially in LA, where people treat their Pomeranians like furry soulmates. My problem? I didn’t have a dog.

Thinking quick, I borrowed my mom’s teacup poodle, Schnitzel, whose diva tendencies made him more Regina George than Cupid. While Schnitzel sniffed precisely zero butts, I awkwardly talked to a corporate lawyer about joint custody of pets after breakups. Not an ideal topic, but better than the guy who opened with, “I think Schnitzel and my German shepherd would have beautiful puppies.” (Sir, that's not how genetics work. Also: ew.)

#3: Dating via Tarot Cards

Some people swipe right; others consult the spirits. Guess which camp I had to join for a piece. My subject was an enigmatic tarot reader-slash-dating coach with a following so loyal, it could rival a Beyoncé fanbase. She believed the cards revealed not just your soulmate but also whether you’d text back after a bad date. Naturally, I booked a session.

“Choose a card,” she said, fanning them out with all the flair of a Vegas blackjack dealer. I picked “The Fool,” which she assured me was a good sign. For who, I wondered — me or my next therapist? Moments later, she declared that my dating life would be equal parts exciting and chaotic, a prediction as vague as a horoscope but weirdly spot-on. Did I learn anything plot-twist-worthy? Not really, though I did leave her apartment with a candle she swore would “unblock my heart chakra.”

#4: Interviewing a Professional Cuddler (Who Tried to Cuddle Me)

The phrase “platonic intimacy” sounds poetic, right? That’s what I thought when my editor suggested meeting a professional cuddler to explore non-traditional forms of connection. In reality, it was two hours of politely declining hugs in a Silver Lake bungalow that smelled like lavender and existential dread.

The cuddler, a cheerful man named Brad, explained that his job wasn’t about romance but about offering comfort to an often-touch-starved world. “It’s healing,” he said, motioning for me to lie down on the couch beside him. Healing, sure. But also: hard pass.

To his credit, Brad was deeply earnest. Mid-interview, I felt a twinge of guilt for being so judgmental. Maybe he was right — maybe all that hugging was a warm embrace away from curing my writer’s block. But as charming as Brad was, I couldn't shake the feeling that Netflix and solitude were my true love language.

Lessons Learned (or Not)

What did I gain from all these escapades, besides questionable content for my therapist to unpack? Surprisingly, a few pearls of wisdom about connecting with others — and myself.

  • Be Open — But With Boundaries
    Sometimes life offers you a ride in a magician’s convertible, and you say yes. But also, maybe double-check he’s not leading you to the Magic Castle’s creepy basement. While openness can lead to adventure, a little caution never hurts.

  • The Weird Stuff is Often the Most Honest
    Miming at strangers or decoding tarot cards might sound absurd, but those moments pulled me out of my comfort zone in ways traditional dating never has. Vulnerability doesn’t always look like a candlelit dinner; sometimes, it looks like pretending to be an invisible rope puller in front of your crush.

  • Your “Normal” Isn’t Universal
    Speed-dating for Schnitzel? Normal for some. Hugging strangers for cash? Totally fine if it brings connection. Different strokes work for different folks, and that’s a liberating thought … even if it’s not your thing.

A (Mostly) Encouraging Takeaway

Stepping outside my perfectly curated Beverly Hills bubble to chase these stories was, at times, a complete and utter circus. But looking back, each strange encounter gifted me a little more understanding of what makes people tick — and what makes me laugh, cringe, or bolt toward the nearest exit.

If nothing else, these adventures reminded me that connection isn’t always polished or predictable. Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it’s magical. And sometimes, it’s a retired magician saying, “See you in your next life, kid,” before disappearing into Beverly Hills traffic.