Hesitation comes from Possibility.....

Ahhhhh - an alleviation from a string of not great dates this year......but I haven't written about it.  I keep asking myself why.
Why do I always hesitate to write about the good date, the great date?  For fear of ruining the "karma" associated with said date?  For fear of actually talking about it and ruining it?  For fear of developing expectations that I have no right to have?  Probably all of the above.
So, I'm going to go against protocol and write about my recent "great date" with K---
K--- appears to be the complete package, ladies, I know, I know.
1.  Smart
2.  Handsome
3.  Employed
4.  Family man
5. Good listener and conversationalist
6. Gentleman
7.  Great smile!
8.  In great shape at 43!
The list could go on, but.....some things I like I'd like to keep to myself for now ;)
What more could I ask for, right?  Right?  Right!  I have nothing to ask for, except that I have the opportunity to see K--- many more times this summer...
I only ask not to be disappointed.
Hopefully, more coming on this one....

This One Was Too Good Not to Share!!!!!!!!

Okay, below I have posted perhaps the most intriguing and maybe disturbing and fascinating and unnerving profile that I have found to date on Plenty of Fish:
HIs headline says:  She Gets Her Way - Looking for a Total Control Freak
Now, while many of you who know me very well might say - This is the guy you are looking for, hahahaha, I am not sure I could REALLY respect a man who let me have total control in a control freak sort of way.  We all know a man has to "have a set" to really get anywhere with me :)
Enjoy the read, but let me know if you think he's really looking for some kink or something and is just using "euphemistic phrasing."  If so, wow, someone needs a woman in black leather boots with a whip and the need to be called "madam"  For enough money.......no, just kidding!:

New to Philadelphia, new to online dating. Looking for a truly exceptional woman who expects to be treated as a Goddess.

I'm looking for a long-term, loving relationship with a completely domineering, demanding, and controlling woman. Okay, maybe that describes most women, but I'm not looking for your average control-freak. I'm looking for someone who needs unquestioned control over any and everything in our lives. She is the boss, she's challenging, and when a disagreement arises she expects that I will acquiesce. This isn't about sex, it's about day to day life and the way the whole of the relationship works.

I'm 39 yo, tall, shaved head, fit/thin, professional, confident, successful, divorced. I recently moved to Philadelphia after a number of years in the desert Southwest. I love my career and love my life, I'm just missing that special someone. I've taken plenty of time away from dating to gain some clarity and sort things out moving forward. I have often dated domineering women throughout my adult life, but it is now very clear that ultimately I need even more than what I've found. I suppose I have always known, but have plenty of life experience reaffirming this.

I don't need or want someone to financially or otherwise take care of me, I can already do this myself. And I am far from a pushover - I have thoughts, opinions, and a backbone. I get along in life just fine. But for the right woman, I am fully prepared to make a lasting commitment and give her sole control over everything in my world such that she can direct our lives together as she sees fit without my interference. If this is you, write me. You will not scare me off, no matter how extreme or demanding you are - there is quite honestly no limit to what I'll cede to the right woman. Should the chemistry be right, I will not hesitate to commit even to a woman other men would find a nightmare.

I get that this is probably not what most women want, but I firmly believe that my match is out there. Age and looks are far less important to me than who you are, and of course chemistry.

More about me. I love mountain biking, Arizona was kind of a Mecca for that. I'm not totally sure where to go around here but can't wait to explore. At least I won't have to worry about pulling cactus spines out of my butt anymore, but I will miss dodging rattlesnakes.

I read voraciously. I cut off my cable about a year ago and don't plan on getting it here. It was honestly the best thing I've ever done - I can now go back and read all the books I pretended to read in high-school and college. Okay, I do miss football and hockey (are Redskins and Capitals fans safe in Philly?). Love to read non-fiction and heavy historical fiction. Grapes of Wrath, Making of the Atomic Bomb, A Fine Balance, Sophie's Choice, LOTR, Gulag Archapeligo are a few faves.

I love wine, though I'm kind of new to it. Have been to Bordeaux and the Barossa in Australia. Am not a wine ponce - just love to try new wines. I like to cook, though I'm not awfully good at it at the moment. You'd expect after years working in a lab, which is essentially cooking, I'd be better at it?

I never really minded 115 degree days, it's the East Coast 95 degree summer days that are truly miserable. And I forgot about the cold - I came to Philly never having shopped for anything warm for 6 years.

I have random taste in music - metal, reggae, classical (Mozart & Beethoven esp), Yo Gabba Gabba!, and am willing to listen to anything new.

I love smart women. And I don't confuse educated with smart, there is a difference and the two don't always go together.

Other Random Likes and Dislikes:
Italian Food > Japanese > Everything Else >>> Indian Food
Redskins > Eagles (LOL)
Capitals > Flyers (pretty clear, isn't it?)
Biology > Physics

Anyhow, I'm completely totally serious about what I've written. If you have genuine interest, please say hi, even if I've already browsed you.

A New Time and Place for Coffee

Well, we have officially moved!  It's been over a month again, since I've written, but moving is enough of an excuse to warrant that :)
Today I sit in my new coffee shop - Baltimore Coffee and Tea Company.....ahhhh, surrounded by thousands, or, perhaps, millions of coffee beans, I endeavor to stay focused on my studying for my quickly approaching comp on Body and Physical Difference. 
This BCTC has already served as the site for a first date - another that does not warrant a second date.  SSDD people.  I am beginning to think God is having a lot of fun sending me all the men in the world who have bad teeth and put misleading pictures of themselves on their profiles. :)  But, no major investment, no frustration, when all is said and done.
This coffee shop has seemed to be one that is fairly quiet, not quite as noisy and chaotic as the Caribou I used to frequent.  Quiet in the sense that people respect each others' work space so are not ridiculously loud on cell phones or Skype conversations with their internet brides. ;)
However, there are still the "Outlet Hogs" that frequent almost every coffee shop.  I am sitting next to one today.  I asked him nicely if he would be needing both plugs the entire time (considering the fact that one of his plugs was for his IPhone.  And, if you have an IPhone you know that you can plug it directly into your laptop in the jumpdrive to charge it.  It does not require the actual wall-socket outlet in order to charge.)  He got a little incensed and removed his IPhone plug, so now I can plug in.  But, really........common sense people, common sense.  
New Apartment is great!  Neighbors are GREAT!  We have Mary Claire upstairs who introduced herself to my dad and I by saying,
"Hi, honey, I may not always have food in my cupboards but I always have wine and booze."  My kind of neighbor!!!
And, she told Abby that if we have a party, we should let her know, she likes to party.  
Let me clarify that Mary Claire is probably in her early 60s :)
We live below an international airline stewardess who is from New Zealand.  She has also invited us for a bottle of wine :)  a bottle, yes, not a glass.....
So, people have been really friendly - heck, anyone who wants to share their wine should be considered friendly, lol.
Wine in the Woods is coming up next weekend and I'm very much looking forward to that!  An old friend from high school is coming down to visit and it should be a really good time....
BTW, in the time that has passed, I did have a minor accident which resulted in some new scar-work on my face.  I figured it was time to get some scars on the left side to balance out the right :)
Thanks to the Cherry Blossom Festival and the guy who lifted the caution tape to push his stroller UNDER while I was in the process of stepping OVER it......I ended up with stitches and a lovely little scar on my chin which still has nerve damage and is not healing as well as I would like.  A trip to the plastic surgeon may be in order here.
All in all, life is good.  We have gotten away from Vagina Guy, the Domestic Abuse couple, and the case-a-weekend beer drinkers that live in our old building.  OHHHHHHH, and we rescued a new stray kitty in the process.  More on that later.

What is the current definition for the word "fit" in a 38 year old man's dictionary?

Would someone please define "fit" for me?  I workout 4-5 times a week, cycling and with weights and when I prepare for a date with a man who calls himself "fit" and "active" I expect him to be "fit" and "active."  Perhaps that definition has changed for men in their late 30s or early 40s?  
Are men really that un-self-aware that they don't know when their paunch is starting to hang over the belt loops?  Do they honestly see a ripped bicep when it's, uh, not?  And, who ever told men that pecs that looks like breasts, even if they are solid-ish, are attractive?  
A friend of mine theorizes that men are just not as self-aware as women are and that because it is okay for men to be "average" while it is not okay for women to be so (the average woman is now a size 14), that men don't really see the changes in themselves over time or don't recognize when they've put on enough weight that they should actually be buying a new pair of pants.  Is this true?  
My date last night would indicate that it is, unfortunately:


You know it's sad when, the moment you walk into the bar to meet your date, that you think, "Man, this is gonna' make a great blog entry!"  Apparently, Joe hasn't gotten my memo on posting updated pictures of oneself on the profile....
Joe describes himself as "a runner, hiker, a fit and active guy who really likes being outdoors and has done triathlons, goes repelling....etc." His pictures all show him in his active lifestyle, with a body that looks to be in shape and "fit."
Perhaps Joe has forgotten what "fit" means or his definition of "fit" has changed, I can't be sure.
I walked into DuClaw at the Arundel Mills Mall (another indicator, but whatever), hoping that the guy I saw in the bar windows was not the guy I was there to meet, but when I texted and asked if he was there, he said he was in the bar.  Great start!
The server was at our table and Joe was getting ready to order a drink without me - shouldn't you wait until your "date" joins you?  Really?  When the server turned around and walked towards me, the look on his face was priceless.....kinda' like, oh man, this is an online date and she is going to be disappointed, haha.
Joe is wearing what I shall refer to as a "Ravens"-purple t-shirt.  It is not, thankfully, an actual Baltimore Ravens t-shirt, but it is the color purple that one would associate with the team.  The sleeves are rolled in Fonzi or Chachi style to accentuate the "ripped, but not so ripped" muscles on the upper arm.  His t-shirt is tucked into his jeans and about 15 minutes into the "date" I realize that he has about a 5-6 inch solid roll hanging over his waistband.  Fit?  Fit?  Really?  Fit?  Why am I ever worried about my own body when I go on dates anymore?  Seriously.  I'm smokin' in comparison.....I might as well be a runway model.
Joe spends the date complaining about his past dates and about women in general.  Hmmmmm.  He even talks about the fact that he has had so many first dates on Plenty of Fish and he used to think that technology would make there be less single people in the world, but now he thinks it is the reverse.
He thinks it has made people more picky, especially women.  He says that he thinks women have to be awed and wowed on a first date now in order to want to go out again and he doesn't understand why that is.  He says that men don't need that.  As long as you have a good time, then a second date is in order.
Well, Joe, I'd like to explain to you why you're not getting second dates.  Perhaps the picture of yourself with a great body in a fitted t-shirt just isn't accurate anymore?  Perhaps the work you had done on your teeth that has left your front tooth capped, discolored, slanted and slightly separated from all the rest of your teeth is so distracting that women can't actually look at you during a "date" because they feel like they'd stare at that poor little "misfit" tooth.  Perhaps your choice of Happy Days style clothing adds to all of these problems?
Joe asked about what I had been reading that day, and like many people assumed that when I said "sexualities" that I meant sex.  Trying to explain the difference to him was challenging and I still don't think that I succeeded.  But, that, I could expect from many others, so not really a criticism, just an addition to the list of things that were problematic.
Joe was nice enough, don't get me wrong, but I thought I had made it pretty clear via body language (crossed arms, sitting with my hands in front of me in clasped prayer style at my face, eye-wandering to the televisions in the sports bar) that I wasn't really interested romantically.  He had, after all, not ordered a second drink.  I had, after all, asked the server for the check.  :)
Then, Joe asks me for what I'm looking for in a relationship.  Usually, I can steer men away by talking about how much I need someone who is flexible and can move with me anywhere because I don't know where I will get a job.
At this point, Joe starts selling himself as a candidate for that position.  Talking about how flexible his job is, how much money is billed for him hourly, and how much money he could bill hourly for himself if he went independent.  Really?
The evening ended (40 minutes, my second shortest date, YES!).
I got a text from Joe this morning telling me how nice it was to meet me and asking me if I had a good time.  Not this again.........I feel like it's a repeat of the "professional baseball player" all over again......
I sent Joe a very nice email (approved by my co-worker who is much nicer than I am):
"Joe,
It was good to meet you.
While you seem like a really nice guy, I am not interested romantically.
To be honest, I would suggest that you update your photos on your PoF site or at least post clearer photos of yourself.
Best of luck,
H"


I think this was kind.  There is so much more I could have said.  I could have explained to him exactly why he wasn't getting second dates.  I refrained.
Here is the response I got from Joe:
"You have issues hon but i still wish you luck.  Certainly you will need it if you are going to find someone."


Now, those of you who know me know that my fingers are just itching and my tongue is just burning to post a response to that, but I am refraining.  How easy it would be to shred him, how easy......
And that, after we had talked about how you can't take anything in online dating personally unless you're actually at the stage of steady dating and being in a relationship.  


I have one more date this weekend, and I have emailed him asking him to please please please look like his pics......lmao.

Intellectual Elitist? Perhaps.......A Defense of the Desire to Date a Man with a Brain

In my 10 plus years of on again, off again, online dating, I've encountered all kinds......my friends (fellow online daters) and I seem to have the habit of attributing nicknames to many of these "experiences."  Nicknames that are not always flattering, but are definitely always apt.  Just a few from the collection:

1.  Needs a Dictionary Guy (my favorite J------- story, always good for a laugh with friends who are also intellectual elitists)

2.  Gold Chain and Black Lame Guy (that's luh-may, not lame.....yes, and I think the name explains itself, however the story will be forthcoming, since it's K------'s favorite story of all time)

3.  Beef (this one comes from K------ in NYC and I would have loved to have seen him in person)

4.  Red-Neck, Triangle-tooth Fisherman Guy (my personal favorite, this was my record all-time shortest date at a Starbucks in Tallahassee, FL)

5.  Big Fat Liar Guy (a man whose pics were definitely from 20 years ago, who looked more my father's age than my own)

6.  The Perv (a recent winner who seemed to be able to make every comment whether spoken or written and say something dirty or disgusting, no matter how many times I asked him not to)

7.  TMI Guy (a guy who shared his Urinary Tract Infection Information in our 3rd phone call, thanks but no thanks)

8.  White Jean Shorts Guy (yes, a man actually showed up for a date in straight leg white jean shorts, Tallahassee again, need I say more?)

9.  The Magician (my favorite guy from EHarmony who actually was a good match but lived too far away and his job was actually motivational speaking using magic for corporate venues)

10.  Tattoo Guy (my most recent foray into online dating brought me head to head with a guy who actually HATES tattoos and was apparently so repulsed by my bracelet that he decided he could never date me.  That story too, in another episode).

Shall we begin with "Needs a Dictionary Guy?"  He is the primary reason that I began to reevaluate my own need to be with a man who is either my intellectual equal or strives to be culturally, socially, and politically aware in his own areas of expertise.

I don't think it's too much to ask that a man have a basic vocabulary at his disposal....

J------ went on a date perhaps a year and a half ago, and I vividly remember the phone call that followed.  She called almost directly after returning home.

Dinner at a chain-y type Bennigan's, Friday's, Chili's place....

Small talk ensued and as part of the conversation her date says,

"Hey, I guess my shirt kind of matches the decor in here"

Jocelyn responds,

"Yes, how thematic of you"

His response,

"Huh?"

She has to explain what the word "thematic" means.........

Now, some might think we're being a little judgmental here, but I say, if a man doesn't know what the word "thematic" means, I don't think I can date him.  I don't think I can respect him intellectually. 

If you don't know what "thematic" means, are you going to be versed in what is going on politically in our world?  are you going to understand the significance of current debates over health care?  are you going to care about these things at all?  If the answer to any of these is "No" then I could never date you.

I'm not asking for a political analyst or a health care guru or even someone who is as fervent about any of these issues as I am, but I do want someone who can understand and discuss the issues, even if we don't agree.

So, if I sound like an intellectual elitist, then so be it.  I want someone well-read, aware, and who has an educated opinion on the matters of our world.  If it's too much to ask, then I'd rather stay single

:)

Top 10 Reasons to Move ASAP

I'd like to provide you with 10 reasons, but I strongly believe that you will settle for 2 reasons, once you read through today's blog:

Snowpocalypse, Snowmageddon, and so on and so on, and so on...


The East Coast has been obliterated by snow 3 times this season, so far. By far two weeks ago was the worst, with one storm amounting to 38 inches of snow. This wouldn't have been too bad, considering the fact that I had stocked up at the grocery store (although all the meat was gone by the time I got there, a wholenother discussion). 

That weekend, I spent Saturday evening and Sunday morning shoveling my little Cabrio out not one, or two, but three times, thanks to the plows and my "kind" neighbors who saw fit to shovel me in in order to shovel themselves out.

This weekend, our new neighbor "Joe" happened to be moving in. His U-Haul stuck on the street, full, because of the on-coming snow the day of his arrival with his girlfriend. Yes, Joe has a girlfriend. This girlfriend has two children from a previous relationship and works at a law office. All of this was found out throughout the weekend.

My first experience with Joe was Saturday evening when Joe, along with all the other men who were out shoveling, failed to even express a chivalrous sentiment by even attempting to help me shovel my car out. He chatted with "Bob" who lives downstairs. Big-truck owning Bob, who throws out at least a case of empty beer bottles/cans every weekend. This amicable chatting takes place loud enough for me to be "assumed" to be part of the conversation by Joe and Bob. 

Joe discusses all the cash he's "dropped" into his vehicles over the years, with speakers, radios, and other technology - thousands and thousands of dollars. After a long conversation about money money and more money, 

Joe asks, "Hey, do you know where I can find a job. I need a job." I think to myself, you just moved in here and you don't have a job? Hmmmmm. But, nonetheless, I try to be a kindly neighbor. Here is the conversation that followed:

Me: The Census Bureau is hiring.

Joe: What?

Me: The Census Bureau is hiring.

Joe: No, I mean, what's that?

Me: (almost laughing) Are you serious, you don't know what the census bureau is?

Joe: No, what the f%$# is that?

Me: You know, the census....

Joe: No.

Me: (just about to say the word demographic, but catching myself realizing that he will probably not know what this means either) You know, population counting?

Joe: What the f%$#, you mean I have to go count people?

Me: It's a door to door survey job. It pays $16.50 an hour.

Joe: (lighting up his 5th cigarette in the last hour) Does it require you to have a high school diploma?

Me: Uhhhhh, I don't know.

Joe: You know, because I'm a preacher's kid so......

Me: (truly confused) How do those two things connect? Preacher's kid and high school drop-out?

Joe: You know, I was tired of that s%$#, and tired of all the Christian crap, so....

Me: Oh, I wasn't aware those things were connected though. I know a lot of preacher's kids who were rebellious but still graduated high school.

Joe: I don't know, f%$# that....I just need me a job. Dude, I gotta get some booze and s%$# for the Super Bowl tomorrow....how the f%$# am I gonna get out there.....

Thus, my conversation with "Joe" ends and I continue to shovel myself out without anyone's assistance.

The following morning, Sunday, the Super Bowl, I come outside to "Joe" blaring his Seattle Heavy Metal Music, "S%$# that no one even knows about, this s%$# is awesome." Meanwhile, the "music" lyrics are nothing by "Die Motherf%$#er" or "You can _____ my d%$#" and so on and so forth. Cigarette smoke abounds and I, of course, am still parked next to Joe in the lot. Joy.

Today, I don't even feel the need to be nice. Today, I just shovel and hunker down. A kind neighbor had loaned me a shovel. When I finished, I walked over to the group of residents who were standing around talking and planning Super Bowl festivities. I hand the shovel back to my neighbor and thank her for its loan. 

"Joe" is still complaining about getting booze for the Super Bowl today. I suggested he walk across the street, as the liguor store is not that far. Here is the following conversation:

Joe: F%$# that! I'm not walking in this s%$#.

Me: Then why not drive over there. You're dug out and the roads should be fine for your Jeep.

Joe: Oh, The Vagina won't let me.

I'm not sure what my face looked like at that moment. But, it got very quiet in the parking lot. Joe's girlfriend who was standing in the group didn't bat an eyelid, didn't say anything, didn't do anything. I was in shock. 

For real? For real? If any many ever thought he could call me "The Vagina" he would wake up without the matching parts to that vagina!

Unbelievable. I believe this story alone should get me somewhere with the management when I negotiate our lease this week.

If not, how about the 911 call that my roommate had to make last Thursday evening when a man in Apt 14 was beating the crap out of his girlfriend? Or, perhaps the legal eviction notices on Apt 21 that showed up after the tenants skipped out on rent and moved everything out late at night?

Stay tuned, for more dating stories. This saga just seemed to good not to share.

My Evening with the Aspiring Pete Rose and the Altoona Crew

Online dating is like the prize in the Cracker Jack box......you're never quite sure what you're going to get and most of them are just disappointing and pretty useless.

Last night was no exception. As a general rule, I now refuse to waste my time with weeks of endless chitter chatter online, creating a fictitious version of the "man" that I am going to date before I have given him "face time." This only reinforces unrealistic expectations and causes more excruciating disappointments when the inevitable happens. 

Now, I'm not saying that every date is bad or painful.....some are tolerable.

Today begins a period of time in my blog in which I will focus on online dating, highs and lows, dos and don'ts, pros and cons. Today, I begin with the mediocre date.....the one that makes you feel bad about never calling back or finally having to write that very clear email stating that you felt nothing or see no future.

Last night I met up with "R" at a sports bar near my house. Mind you, I had never been there before, and neither had he. In retrospect, not a good idea. And in further retrospect, I should have known when the "bar" had no website that it might be a less than stellar location to meet up. However, it was his suggestion, and I trusted that he had done his "leg-work" in finding out about the place. Not so.

I arrived at the AASB a little before 8pm and was immediately thankful that I had worn nothing more than jeans and a t-shirt and a jacket. I stood out. I stood out not only because I was about 15 years younger than most of the patrons, but because my hair was actually combed and I looked like I had actually bathed in the last 3 days. 

I stood out because when I smiled at the female bartender, I had all of my teeth with which to do so. I stood out because I was not counting my change in my pockets to see if I could have "just one more beer."

In the dark lighting of the bar (and that's all it was, a bar, no food to speak of, unless one considers the snack bags of chips, peanuts and cheese crackers displayed behind the bar for sale as food to be consumed on a date), I sat on my stool patiently waiting for "R."

Now, this is not to say that I haven't been to bars of this type before, but I'm pretty sure that was in the late 1990s and I was a college student or early 20something with little money and lots of friends to hang out with, which kept the rest of the atmosphere from being less than desirable. 

I have also encountered these bars in parts of Pennsylvania where I have relatives who frequent these types of establishments, drinking heavily, smoking, and playing pool. While I am not averse to pool, a table that actually has all of its legs and is not propped up by cinderblocks is preferable, and pool sticks that are not gnawed on the edges would be nice. 

Is it too much to ask that I don't have beer seeping into the sleeve of my shirt when I bend over to take a shot?

I had suggested Bonefish to meet for a drink at the bar.....and should have known when he chose otherwise that it might not be an ideal situation.

"R" eventually arrives after he bi-passes the location -which should not be surprising since it has no official sign that is visible and is in a building that looks like it belongs to the auto garage next door.

"R" had described himself as the owner of a landscaping company, a former restaurant owner, and a semi-pro baseball player. One would wonder then why "R" is so out of shape, looks like he is about49 instead of 39 and drinks Coors Light. Nitpicky you say? Forgive me then, a clearer explanation may be in order......

"R" is wearing the short sleeved dress shirt that is at least a size too big, tucked into overly washed and fagged out jeans that are at least 2 sizes too big, belted with a belt that is so tight his stomach paunch is hanging over the waistband and belt struggling to get out of his shirt, which is missing buttons. 

His hair, while thinning, is also teased for fullness, sticking out in unnatural directions, and he looks like one who has had a particularly rough life, or who had been up all night drinking beer and chain smoking cigarettes, blood shot eyes and all. My father used to say that people looked like they had been "ridden hard and put up wet" and I would say that's a fair description of "R."

Glad to see "R" enter however, as I had been forced into conversing with Three Tooth Tim for more than 15 minutes after he continually poked me from behind at the bar and insisted that I needed company, I immediately began to consume my beer much faster than I ever would.

Feeling badly, however, that he had driven 30-35 minutes to meet up near my place of residence, I felt that a 30-45 minute date would be inappropriate. I stuck it out for about an hour and a half, conversing about meaningless topics (animals, beer, construction - oh yes, ladies construction talk, so exciting, semi-pro baseball and the ways in which he watches baseball differently because he's a player). 

While "R" professed his lack of commonality with those around us, I couldn't help but feel that he would feel right at home at AASB. His teeth, which were a little jagged and well spaced-out, were only part of what provides the foundation for my assumption (and teeth are very important to me, perhaps more important than anything else).

The evening ended and I did the "walk out the door while keeping great distances between the two of you thing," hopefully making it clear that I was not all the interested romantically. 

But, alas, today I get the infamous email....."I had a great time. You are so fun to hang out with. I really look forward to seeing you again.....let me know when you're available" and I had to send the inevitable...."It was nice to finally meet you. To be honest, I don't believe that we are romantically suited for one another. Best of luck" email in response.

These are the moments that I feel bad. "R" had not done anything particularly wrong, except to present himself as a man who is in better shape than he is and to have pictures on his profile that are misleading and obviously not as representative as they should be. But, he's a nice enough guy, even if he does wear the short sleeved dress shirts that my father wears...

Lessons to Learn for Women:

1. Always ask for more pictures than what they have posted online (once you get to contact stage). Be firm about it and don't accept a no. This could save you a lot of time and energy.

2. Lesson 1 will also mean that you do not go on a date with a man who doesn't have a picture of himself smiling. There is usually a reason for that (he's an angry bitter type, he doesn't have much personality, or most likely, bad teeth).

3. Never assume a man who is an athlete is actually in shape.

4. Never go somewhere where neither of you have ever been.

5. Never go somewhere that doesn't have a website. You are good enough to deserve a web-site worthy restaurant or bar/tav.

6. When you arrive at the AASB and see the clientele, just leave, you know the date is not going to bode well at that point (this might be questionable based on your ethics)

Lessons to Learn for Men:

1. Post pictures of yourself that are clear and close up, so that women can really see what you look like. Your pictures with your dog are great, but not if the dog's snout is in your face and we can't see you.

2. Post pictures with a smile. Be honest about who you are. And, perhaps if you don't have smiley pictures, get the teeth looked at in order to get some smiley pictures.

3. Don't ask a woman out and have no idea where the place is that you're going or what kind of place it is. No one wants to go somewhere that is out of their comfort zone on a first date.

4. Wear clothing that fits. Baggy clothes don't hide, they only make you look worse.

5. Shave before you come on a date and get a good night's sleep. Make a good impression.

6. When you walk into your place of choice and it seems to be a less than stellar locale, don't expect your date to be there.