Just In The Nick Of Time

These past couple weeks have been pretty typical Nick behavior—he’s either too busy at work or out of town for something—but I can’t help it; I like the guy anyway. Even though we hadn’t seen each other, and I was almost ready to just be done with the whole flaky situation, I was proud of him for progressing to phone calls. We still texted and emailed because sometimes it was just easier, but I could recognize that he was really making an effort to actually talk on the phone which I appreciated, and I made sure to tell him that, too. Conversations were great, and we finally had the chance to go out for some drinks and catch up.

It was lovely. He’s lovely. He’s a good, good guy. Minus the whole not-ever-able-to-see-me thing. Mutual attraction is definitely there (woohoo!), and even better, it’s physical and intellectual attraction. He must be feeling a bit more confident than when we first met because we already have plans to go out next week when he has a day off. Maybe it really was just bad timing the first go around; even if this doesn’t work out, he’s reopened my belief that there are still some lingering guys who have good attitudes, morals, values, etc.

On another note, after starting this blog, it’s been pretty amazing to hear how many friends and acquaintances are signing up for match. Some had used an online site before, and gave up, but have since rejoined. Others had never done it before and decided to give it a go. The conversations about online dating that I’ve had with people I barely know have been helpful in starting a dialogue—people are hesitant, doubtful, but most importantly, they are curious. They ask many questions to learn more about it, and at the end, they seem to realize that it’s not at all the loser in their mother’s basement who is socially inept. It’s the guys and girls who are out and about and are simply open minded to a new social network.

Boston Rallies!

Amidst the thousands of guys that could potentially be my match online, lies the true motivator behind my rejoining. Boston Nick. I was thinking about him and realized it was a shame we never got together again even if it was purely and totally his fault (which it was because he was supposed to be the man and set the next date, but it never happened). So anyway, before I rejoined, I searched and found that Nick was still active on match. After my credit card info ran through, I was about to send him a message, but I decided to read the ones that were sitting in my inbox. One of them was from Nick. YES! “Hey stranger, what’ve you been up to?” he asked me. I couldn’t resist. “Looking for you, actually!” I responded. And with that, we discovered we both wanted another date and he seemed a little more in the moment about his follow through this time around.

 A couple days ago, we met for dinner and drinks. I had more butterflies in my tummy than I did the first time I met him. As we sat across from each other at the table, I noticed how pretty his eyes were—I didn’t catch that the first time. He’s cute. He’s real cute. Everything went well and we actually shared a kiss at the end of the night! It was good. It was real good. Before we left each other that night, we talked about a “next time.” Nick would be heading out of town so we tentatively set plans for the end of the week. Boston was down, and I thought he was out, but he’s surely making a comeback! 

Which. Is. Worse?

After a couple days back on match, I’ve read some interesting emails and profiles—some good, some bad. Here is one more TRP for your enjoyment, and the writing below that is an actual email I received (the poor fellow’s name has been changed).

FAIRFAX. RESIDENT 2011. (His headline. What does this even mean? And it already tells us in your profile where you’re from. This is what you’re using to attract women?)

ABOUT HIM & WHO HE'S LOOKING FOR

Down. to. earth. type. guy. am. youngest. of. 5. so. I had. an. interesting upbringing. was. raised. in. Tampa. bay. area. im. very. easy going polite and love to have good time when able. Relaxing. is. good as well Dont have all the answers for this just that I no theres always room. for happiness.

It’s hard to not read the above posting without stopping at every period. Well, maybe only good readers do that because we KNOW that when there’s a period, you have to pause for a breath. Let’s cut this guy some slack and say that his keyboard went crazy and inserted periods everywhere. He doesn’t mention anywhere, “Hey, technical difficulties, I swear I know how to type.”  Now, you’ve just had to stop reading just about every second. Take a deeeeep breath and read the one below…

I don't know how to start my conversation with you or how to tell you about my self but I will try 
My name is jim I am 6'2 brown eyes brown hair good looking man looking for a wonderful woman to enjoy life with it is very important to be able to communicate with and if you are the one I am looking for than you can ask me any thing and I will be more than happy to answer you with all my heart thank you for reading my letter yours jim

I know, is your heart pounding with anxiety that you thought you’d run out of breath? Jim says I can ask him anything. Should I be mean and ask him why he doesn’t know how to make complete sentences? There's always that chance that some guys like this are on match just to joke around and maybe see what happens if they pull stunts like this, but I don't know...reading some other things they had written just makes me think they honestly don't know any better. So sad. Maybe these two guys need to combine forces and they’ll come up with an appropriately sentenced writing. 

U Hve Gt 2 B Kding Meee

After so many dates and so many guys, it’s hard to not become a B-word about some things.  I’m still optimistic that someone’s out there for me, whether online or off, but my positive outlook doesn’t stop me from rolling my eyes, saying out loud to my computer, “Is this guy serious?” and then scrolling down further to see more of the carnage that is The Ridiculous Profile.  There have been many TRPs that I’ve come across.  Some guys write one sentence about themselves.  Other guys, it’s hard to explain, but their profile just annoys me.  They seem to be something they’re not—it’s like an inauthentic profile.  I just came across this gem and had to share it because well, it’s hysterical.  It’s also kind of sad and makes me hate my life a little because what I haven’t copied from his profile is his education and salary.  I’ll tell you right here.  He has a high school diploma (and that’s as high as it goes) and he makes at least $100,000.  I, after 5 years of college, have a bachelors, masters, and an endorsement to teach algebra, and I make a whopping $50,000.  Hmm, maybe I should’ve passed on extending my education and learned 2 type lke this awsum guy frm NY. And FL. And now MD.  Here’s his TRP…

NY 2 FL 2 MD so help meee... find my wifey.. (this was his headline, a real lady magnet, I know)

I am best described as Black N White, NO shades of Gray, u can expect me 2 be the same person all the time..... (ugh, really? I was hoping you’d be slightly different than this TMI guy you’ve presented here.)

I moved to Maryland from Florida with my x and it didnt work out so we seperated, i really dread going out 2 bars n clubs, sometimes you get lucky and meet good people but thats not often. i much rather do something social with a grl im seeing. i can be spontaneous and still have the ability to think a plan through. (are you sure you can plan? You can’t seem to find the Shift button to capitalize the beginnings of your sentences.  I’m slightly worried about your other abilities.)

i really enjoy showing people where im from and what im about. everything from my culture and my city i was born and raised in... still havent embraced Maryland as my home but it will grow on me...NY is so much more than a city or a state, its a state of mind...im a cancer so i can be sensative at times (uh oh, sensitive…I hope he doesn’t read this ever because he may have some issues then) but ill always listen... im super funny, sarcastic, stubborn with a twist (can be some what laid back, everyone should have their way once in awhile right? well maybe more than once ; ) )

Online dating is new to me but its worth a shot...if u find someone worth it

For Fun:

work...haaa...i go to the gym 6 days a week, dread cardio, but ooh well. deffinately go 2 as many games as possible, need 2 go when NY is in town. i like to drive up 2 ny as often as i can.

Favorite Hot Spots:

not sure yet,,,,, help pls. haa (How about a writing center? Or a school? Somewhere that you can learn to type correctly.)

Favorite Things:

all music but country,,, first 48,,,italian (i can cook it 2) well cause i am (omg, commas are not to be used as periods.   Learn the difference, fool!)

Last Read:

I read the news paper every day, from movies to books I hate fiction....thats y i read the news paper and watch stuff like 1st 48 and in session... (wow, looks like he finally realized he was hitting a wrong key.  I guess it was too much work to go back and edit his mistakes in the previous sections.)

Occupation:       Sales / Marketing            

                Im a internet manager at a car dlr ship, and it demands alot of my time, i have been in the industry for 13 yrs and i am sucessful enough and that opens doors for me 2 get away and leave early. id rather work then go 2 a bar tho. thats y im here... (mmm bars may not be so bad.  You might have more luck with spoken word rather than written word.)

Ethnicity:             White / Caucasian           

                100% Italian and can cook it. who wouldnt wanna have a guy cook 4 them? have a small but close family which is almost opposite in the Italian world... BIG famlies with alot of chaos. Still have a 3 bedroom hse with 2 friends in Florida that i visit (hse…house, right? This reminds me of some of my spelling-challenged students who write only the sounds or letters they hear.  I guess this guy’s one up on them because he put the “e” on the end. Awesome.)

Cracking codes is fun and all, but not when I’m reading a dating profile.  It’s profiles like this that tempt me to email them and tell them that they are an idiot if they think a girl will respond positively when they have something written as they do.  My only fear is that they will tell me that they have actually gone out on dates with girls they’ve met from match.  I guess I may be looking for someone who believes in usage of all letters on the keyboard, but there are other girls who enjoy deciphering emails.  TRPs annoyingly take up good online dating space, but there’s no filter on match for these so that’s why it’s important not to just look at the pictures but to recognize a TRP and stay away!