ONLINE DATING

My friend says, "Dating at our age, is like shopping at the outlet mall. They are all dented and scratched." There is a lot of truth in that statement. We are all a little dented, scratched and carrying some luggage. This luggage can be as small as a carry-on, or as big as a steamer trunk, but we all have at least one.

As most of you may know, I have been single for a while now. During this time, I have tried online dating. When you open an account, the first thing they ask you to do, is come up with a catchy username. CRAP, I am not very creative! Then you have to write an essay about yourself, and then tell what you are looking for in a guy. It's not as easy as it sounds. Next, you need to find recent, flattering photos of yourself, preferably doing 'fun' things with a big smile on your face. Okay, I spent the better part of two evenings doing this. I didn't know it was going to be such an undertaking!

I'm going to get on my soapbox for a minute, so everyone just bear with me. The whole purpose of being on a dating site, is to find someone to spend time with. So, why do these guys from 5 states over, send 'flirts'. Okay, that's another thing I have a problem with... a 'flirt' is a pre-written sentence that is send to someone with the click of a button. Yeah, that's very personal, and it makes me want to send you a reply. If there are no pictures, forget it, you will not get anything back from me.

Having a profile on a dating site, is time consuming and very distracting. You can waste so much time perusing the profiles. Some profiles are very clever, but most all sound the same. Pictures, who wants to know what you looked like 15 years ago? This is today, what do you look like TODAY? I understand that some people don't have many pics of themselves, because I am one of them, but I managed to scramble around and find a half dozen from the last couple of years.

I don't have horror stories from my 'first meetings', but I am very selective and cautious. I don't meet every guy that sends me a message. I had dinner with a man recently, and half-way through the meal, he asked if he looked like a stalker or something. Instead of letting him pick me up, I told him I would meet him at the restaurant. That's just the way I am, until I get to know someone. I don't want them to know where I live.

Please don't let me dissuade anyone from trying online dating, it can be a good thing. I have met quite a few guys that are very nice people. In fact, a couple that I met, are still very good friends. But, if you choose this road, just keep in mind that it is a rocky road. The popular phrase still rings true: You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your handsome prince. I know of several who have found the love of their life through a dating site, it can be done, it's just not easy.

With Chap Stick in hand, my search continues for my handsome prince.