The Great Dating Experiment

To date, or not to date?

Welcome to The Great Dating Experiment!  This blog was created to see what happens when one midwestern girl throws romantic, idealistic methods of dating out the window to adopt what many consider a new-age, technology driven approach.  Now in my early 30's, I've always gotten things done in life through hard work and dedication to the task at hand...although I've resisted it to this point, why should dating be any different?

Throughout the course of this "experiment" I'll be trying various types of dating - from agencies that match you based on a one-on-one meeting, to the infamous online websites, to the old "set-up".  I'll keep you posted on the good, the bad, and the ugly as I "work hard" to find "Mr. Right". 

I hope any readers will find these posts engaging, educational, funny...and if nothing else - entertaining.  Thanks for your interest and let the games begin!

Welcome to The Great Dating Experiment!  This blog was created to see what happens when one midwestern girl throws romantic, idealistic methods of dating out the window to adopt what many consider a new-age, technology driven approach.  Now in my early 30's, I've always gotten things done in life through hard work and dedication to the task at hand...although I've resisted it to this point, why should dating be any different?

Throughout the course of this "experiment" I'll be trying various types of dating - from agencies that match you based on a one-on-one meeting, to the infamous online websites, to the old "set-up".  I'll keep you posted on the good, the bad, and the ugly as I "work hard" to find "Mr. Right". 

I hope any readers will find these posts engaging, educational, funny...and if nothing else - entertaining.  Thanks for your interest and let the games begin!

My Perfect Match...

Hello blog friends!  It's been a crazy few weeks of dating.  I think I've been on at least a date a week for the past month...all different guys.  None of them ended up being for me.  But never fear...I have a plan.  What is this master plan you may ask?  Read on...

I am going to really concentrate on My Perfect Match...Me!  I think it's time to really appreciate myself, my beauty, my humor, my overall "awesomeness".  I think sometimes we get so busy looking for the perfect relationship outside of ourselves, we can forget to love the most important person...ourselves. 

With this in mind, I'm embarking on great relationship with a super redhead, with a great smile, fun wit, and a fabulous shoe collection.  I'm doing my hair the way I want...getting the dog I want...working out when I want...and loving...ME! 

I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship :)  And if a guy comes along and wants to join me...it'll be nice company...but not what defines me.  Thank goodness!

Why is it...?

Good evening blog friends! Today turned out to be a little rough after my date from last night sent me the "not interested" in a second date text. I find that the guys I do like tend to have no interest... And the guys I don't like are way into me. Let's discuss.

Being in sales, the one thing you learn is never to appear desperate for someone's business. I wonder if the same theory applies to dating? In my experience, the less interest I show in a guy the more he pursues me. As soon as I'm all in, or even a little in, they're running for the hills.

Perhaps what men want is indeed the chase. Unfortunately, I have a hard time hiding my feelings if they're genuine. I'm interested in feedback on this one... Will the "right" guy just like me no matter what? No games??

Pondering it all tonight...excited for turkey in just a few days :). Until we meet again.

I am someone who is looking for real love...

 Carrie's speech really speaks to me, and I'm sure, to many of you.  Good luck in the search for real love...it's out there! 

Interested?

Good evening blog readers! So this is my first post via iPad - very exciting :). Tonight's topic is level of interest in relationships. I'm no expert, so comments are encouraged.

As mentioned in an earlier post I was dating a guy we'll call "A". After a bit of ghosting out I finally realized...he may not be that into me. This was shocking... And like any "normal" gal I came up with excuse after excuse as to why "A" wasn't getting back to me. He had to still be interested...right?

Fast forward to last week. I'm out with a guy who us lovely, polite, handsome...and compliments are flying out of him. We'll call him "D". He texts me everyday, even if it's just to say "hi". So it's easy to see he's interested. Now, here's the strange part...

When "A" was not communicating and making me nuts, it seemed normal. Now when "D" is paying so much attention it seems off. Have I just been blinded by the games? Do nice guys really finish last?

I'm going out with "D" again this week, so he's still a prospect. We'll see if this whole nice thing can catch on :)

Sweet dreams friends - and be NICE to one another!

Who you gonna call...Ghostbusters?

Happy Friday blog friends!  I hope this week has treated you well and that you have amazing Halloween plans for the weekend.  Halloween is one of my favorite times of year and I look forward to pumpkins, costumes, and most importantly...candy!  One thing that I don't like, are ghost stories...but here's one that crept into my life recently...

"Ghosting Out" is a term used when someone you are seeing just drops off the face of the Earth.  Most recently I've had some trouble getting in touch with a guy, we'll call "A".  We were hanging out once a week, having a blast, and then suddenly he is super busy and stops returning texts, messages, and calls.  In his defense, "A" did text me once in 2 weeks and I never got the text...but again, once in 2 weeks?  That seems like minor effort...

At first, I thought he really was super busy.  I'm now suspicious that he has "ghosted out" on me.  No guy who's truly interested, just stops communicating for weeks on end...right?  All signs point to move on.  Unfortunately, I'm still smitten with the guy and am having trouble letting it go. 

Ghosting out is a scary story...one I don't recommend anyone repeats.  You want blood and gore?  Just look at my heart - it's totally broken :(

Ghostbusters is on my speed dial if you need them...

Socioeconomic Status

Good afternoon!  I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  In my hometown the weather was glorious and I had a busy weekend with 3 of my dearest friends.  As the weekend wrapped up I had a "phone date" with a Match.com guy - we'll call him "J".  Here's the story...

J called me at 8pm to chat.  Last time we talked I had a really hard time hearing the guy...so I wasn't 100% sure this call would be better.  Thankfully, on my cell phone, he was coming in slightly louder...but he was still into mumbling.  So we talk to 40 minutes about this and that...then we discuss getting together for a real date. 

He wants to come up to my neck of the woods (which is nice of him) - but he keeps asking where we can find a jazz club.  I tell him, there aren't any that I know of...but there are some cute restaurants we can check out.  After some back and forth we decide on a restaurant and a date / time.  We say our goodbyes and hang up.

Now, at this point I'm moving on to laundry and a little L&O: SVU on my DVR.  (Love that Elliot Stabler!)  Within 5 minutes J is calling me back.  I'm confused, but answer and he says something like, 

"I don't think this is gonna work.  It seems we are in different socioeconomic situations." 

I say,  "How do you mean?"

J: "We're in different socioeconomic situations.  I don't know, it seems like you like expensive things."

At this point, I'm thinking "seriously"?  I just got dumped before a date??  And where is he getting this vibe??  But then again, if J doesn't understand that I am a woman with ambition who can buy her own expensive things, then he's probably not the guy for me. 

The moral:  I will NOT dumb myself down or stop living my life just so I can snag a man.  The man who's worth it will love me...expensive taste and all.  Especially if I'm the one buying! 

The Effects of Alcohol on Dating

Hello people of the blogo-sphere!  First, TGIF and happy Friday to you all :)  One week ago today I was gearing up for an ever-fabulous Match.com date.  Well, per usual it lived up to my low expectations.  Today's topic - appropriate dating questions...

Set A: Appropriate Dating Questions (NOT asked by my date):

1. Did you grow up around here?
2. What's your favorite restaurant?
3. What do you like to do in your spare time?
4. Are you close with your family?
5. Any siblings?

Set B: Inappropriate Dating Questions (a.k.a. ASKED by my date on Friday):

1. What are you on?
2. Are you taking Ritalin (sp)?
3. Are your boobs fake?
4. You're a party-girl, aren't you?

Please note the difference in appropriateness here.  Set A questions is normal...Set B is what I was dealing with on Friday 1 week ago.  In my date's defense he did get pretty drunk.  Oh wait?  Is that a defense?  Or another issue???

On to the next one folks!  But before I leave you...I just got a text from this lovely guy that said "On my 2nd."  Here's the pic - bottom's up!

Getting Back on the Horse...

Hi blog readers!  So it's been awhile and I apologize for my absence.  I took a little break from dating...then dated a guy I really liked...now I'm back on the "horse" (a.k.a. Match.com).

I don't have to explain this one too much. I just want to share a recent encounter on the online dating circuit.  Enjoy:

hi

I looked your profile
u are very beautiful and cute :)
i do not know what i say to you
really u are like an angel..
i looking for true love and marriage and happy life
i respect a good women
let me to u know me more
i wish to see your message
Bob*
(*Name changed to protect the innocent)

This looks like a winner...Did I mention I'd have to move to Dubai?

Let the crazies loose...I'm ready!

Dating and Drinking Rampages

Hello blog followers!  I hope you all had a lovely weekend.  I enjoyed this amazing weather all weekend with a little patio eating and even hit up a corn maze with some friends.  I also, unfortunately, am continuing fun times with Texting-Wonderboy.  Here's what went down...

Last week, he texted me - "Hola."  What an opening!  At this point, I wasn't sure how to respond considering the last time he texted me was in the middle of the night with the infamous "booty text".  So I asked a male co-worker his thoughts.  The answer..."He texts you nonsense, so text him nonsense".  I loved the idea :)

So to his "Hola", I text back "That's how I roll."  It makes no sense, is in no context, and is literally just a statement.  Honestly, I thought I'd confuse him, but he kept respoonding back to my nonsense.  I secretly think he kinda understood my text rambles.  We texted nonsense back and forth for like 40 minutes...then I had to stop.  My brain felt like mush.

Now today he texted again.  I'll give you one guess on the opening text-line...Yes!  Correct, it was "Hola."  So original.  So we text back and forth for a while.  Then eventually he says, "Well, we should get crazy soon."  I'm like, what does that even mean???  So I ask...he replies with "Dunno.  Drinking rampage."

OH...MY...GOD.  What is wrong with this guy???  Ugh. 

So here's my plea...does anyone out there know a single, normal, ambitious, funny, and somewhat attractive man I can date?  Preferrably one without a texting plan...

Dating Issue #214: Texting

Good morning blog readers!  Sorry for the lapse in blogging...I took a break from dating to enjoy the summer :)  A recent date has led me back to the blog to share and vent.  Here's the issue - texting. 

Hey, don't get me wrong.  I love to shoot a quick, effortless text as much as the next person.  It's convenient, fast, and gets plans moving.  I just find that a lot of guys are using texting to set up dates and fully communicate. 

Case in point - I met a guy speed dating last April.  It takes him 4 months...but finally last week, he emails me and wants to grab a drink.  I suggest a day and give him my number so he can call to finalize time and place.  On Tuesday (the day of the date) at 5pm (seems kinda last minute) he texts me the following:

"Whats up"

Uh...that's it?  How 'bout picking a place and time so we can get these drinks going??  After some back and forth texting we get it set up.  Once plans are in place and we meet up we actually had a pretty nice time on the date.  He was talkative and engaging so I was excited for a second date. With his personality, I wasn't sure why he was relying on text so much.

That Thursday he texted again.  I assumed to get something going for the weekend.  As the texts went on aimlessly, I decided he was only texting me to chat.  And when I tried to find out if he wanted to meet up, it was met with resistant texts that made no sense.  At this point, I'm annoyed, confused, and want the texting to end.

Then at 1AM last night, I get a text from the guy.  It says "Where u @".  Seriously??  A booty text??  My next text will read:  "GAME OVER."

Moral of the story:  Texting your friends to plan a Happy Hour = Good...Texting a girl bizarre messages, beat around the bush statements, and worst of all booty texts = BAD.