dating, online dating

Back in the Saddle.

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I actually haven’t been on an online dating site in months but I also haven’t been on a date in well…too long and I’m bored this fall. So I figured why not give the old eHarmony a try again.

Turns out the last time I logged in was January 2010 and my profile still indicated I was A. from San Diego so I had some editing to do. They now have some really fun new questions to answer that are both good for your potential date to know about you and very thought-provoking to ponder on a sleepy autumn Monday evening. Here are just a few snapshots from the evening:

ImageAnyone who knows my love of Lost will understand how vehemently important this question is to me. Really – who would you rather be stuck on a desert island with? Sawyer or Ginger? You know I’m right.

A date who doesn’t drink?? But how are you supposed to make it through a first date without the glass of wine to take the edge off? Alright, you got me eHarmony, one of my most important values include wine.

I guess I’m officially back in the saddle! Wish me luck, friends.

dating, online dating

Mr. Face Twitch.

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Ladies of Los Angeles, I gotta ask – does anyone find they get asked out on dates to the same exact wine bar over and over again? It’s like the men of LA only know of 1 first date spot. In my case, it’s Bodega wine bar in Santa Monica. I think I’ve been on at least 10 blind dates there. I’m surprised the bartenders don’t recognize me as that awkward girl who keeps coming back for sad dates.

Anyways, this brings me to Mr. Face Twitch. He invited me to – surprise surprise — Bodega.

I actually ran out of work thinking I was late at 6:15 for a 6:30 date (thank you difficult client). I somehow made it there and parked promptly at 6:30. He was not there but I found a place to sit. By 6:55, I ordered a glass of wine and made friends with the 50something man next to me named Frank. Awkwardly, I had to put my credit card down to hold the order.

To Mr. Face Twitch’s credit, I followed my Online Dating Rule of not giving out my number for safety and security purposes, so he didn’t have my phone number. I did have his though, and finally texted him at 7:00 to say “ohh hey…i’m here, grabbed a spot to sit.” He apologized and said he had gotten held up at work but didn’t have my number to give me the heads-up.

He finally showed up at 7:10 (40 minutes late…), and “photo” Mr. Face Twitch was cuter than “real life” Mr. Face Twitch. Basically, he was perfectly nice but awkward and nerdy and made weird faces and twitched. 30 minutes in, I knew I wanted out and after an hour finally said something about having to meet friends for Trivia Night (blatant lie). We couldn’t find the waitress to close the tab. By the time she finally came around, she asked how we wanted to settle given my credit card was holding the tab. He had 2 beers; I had 1 glass of wine (mine was at happy hour price; his 2 beers were not due to his tardiness).

I requested the check and he left his credit card on the table and went to bathroom. The waitress asked me how to do the bill while he was gone. I was stupid enough just to stutter (I really wanted to LEAVE!!), “Uummm….just split it halfway.” So basically I paid for this guy to drink beer.

He returned from the bathroom, we signed the checks (REALLY?? I’m on online dating sites for the free drinks/food!! I expect to see some ROI out of this), and I then I ran away.

The worst part of it all? Mr. Face Twitch and I have been matched up on 3 separate dating sites. Apparently, we’re good together on paper and disastrous in real life.

online dating

My Online Dating Safety Tips – Part II: Congrats – you’ve made a date! How to meet him in a safe and comfortable manner.

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{ a continuation of My Online Dating Safety Tips – Part I }

Congratulations – you’ve navigated Match.com, OkCupid, or any of the many online dating sites, kept your identity relatively secure, and met someone you want to meet for a date! What do you do?

1)   Drive/taxi/walk yourself. He’s a stranger. Remember Stranger Danger? This applies here. Even though he offers to pick you up like a true gentleman (and most are!), get yourself to Date #1 on your own. Giving a potential creeper your address opens up a whole can of bad worms.

2)   If he suggests going to his house and cooking and/or taking 1 car from there to your date, decline. He could be a really great chef and he could just be trying to make things logistically easier for all parties involved. Regardless, DO NOT meet him in a private place like his house. Meet in a public spot like a coffee shop, bar, library, distillery, beach, neighbors’ lawn. Frankly, I don’t care if it’s the South Bay’s dirtiest hole in the wall bar, just make sure there are other people there in case of the worst*

3)   Tell a trusty girlfriend the following: his name, occupation, where you are going, and agree on a time you’ll check in. Also, let her know when you get home safe. I know we are all awesome, independent women and we loathe the idea of checking in with a parent/friend/colleague, but at the end of the day, your safety is the most important thing in the world. EVEN above getting laid.

4)   Have an exit plan. Ever since I was of dating age, my stepgrandmonther insisted I carry at least $20 in cash on me for a taxi home. Cash is always good to have on hand in case of a car breakdown or garage lock-in (see the Mr. Pretentious Part II incident).

5) Have fun!

Online dating: We’ve come a long way baby. 

Image: i probably won’t like you.

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*The worst could involve any and all of the following: you recognize his face from America’s Top 10 Most Wanted, oops – he’s actually your female boss’ recent ex-boyfriend, he compares the size of your boobs to his ex’s, he tries to touch you inappropriately, you are 95% sure you saw him drop something in your drink…you get the idea.