3 dates, really?

So Clammy hands called me ... 3 TIMES! First on Wednesday night, he left a voicemail which I didn't listen to. He called again Thursday night, leaving yet another voicemail ... also didn't listen to it. Friday, I get an email from a friend saying Clammy Hands contacted her via FB and asked if she would put in a good word for him. Ugh, seriously? I was really hoping he would get the message by my lack of response that I don't really want to go on a second date with him. Guess not. Well, guilt got the better of me and I called him back. The conversation was awkward small talk and lead into him saying he'd like to see me again and do I have any free time this week. My week is pretty busy, for real, like actually busy, not me making stuff up. I told him I'd get in touch to make plans next week. I'm dreading it. I know protocol for this is a 3 date minimum and I want to win, but I don't know if I have the heart for another date with Clam, let alone 2.

On a more positive note, I was supposed to have date #2 with the engineer this weekend. Unfortunately I had to cancel because I wasn't really feeling up to it. He's a bit busier than me so we will probably have a bit of trouble rescheduling, but I'm okay with that. I'm actually looking forward to date #2.

In light of receiving some new matches and finding that all fell into the "reject" category, I decided to change some of my match criteria. For example, the age range of men I am looking for is no longer 22-35, but 22-30 ... and it is "very important" that my matches have not been married before. Today I had a new match who was 23 and DIVORCED! Is it just me or does anyone else see a problem with that? Anyway, so yeah, hopefully the minor changes will bring in better matches....

P.S. Those of you ladies who are in my area (basically not match girl), we should all go out for valentine's day, get really drunk, and harass any happy couple we see. Think about it.

MIA

So, I'm back ... sorry for the lack of posts recently, I was out of the country and thus, out of the online dating loop. I wish we included something on here for a makeout competition ... and opened it up to non online boys. I met the CUTEST British doctor on vacation and let me just say, his bottom teeth were a tiiinnnyyy bit crooked but that didn't detract from his makeout skills in the least.

Anyway, online dating. I feel like I've fallen into a rut already. I keep getting "noticed" by gross, nasty, DISGUSTING guys, which I obviously reject. I'm still emailing with 5 guys who have yet to suggest meeting face-to-face, which I'm okay with because the first date experience, the few days leading up to it and the few days after, are tiring ... stressing about what to wear, where to go, the usual barrage of questions like a strange interview. then, if the date goes well, I'm left wondering if he had a good time and if he'll call me again. Ugh. I need something big to happen to re-spark my interest in this competition.

The Engineer texted me while I was out of town, which was cute. I almost felt a tiny tummy flop when I read his first text. Last night we talked on the phone for a half hour. Sadly, the conversation wasn't exactly enthralling. We have plans to hang out this weekend. Date #2.

Ironically, I'm still being strongly pursued by Clammy Hands and he actually called me as I'm typing this. I didn't answer, he left a voicemail. For the sake of the competition I'm considering a second date, but at the same time I don't feel like being groped again or fighting off unwanted advances. Dilemma. Any thoughts and opinions ladies?

On the topic of guys, a friend of mine is coming into town from Chi for the weekend. We had a little fling before graduation last spring but that was it. We dirty text on a fairly regular basis but haven't seen each other since May. I'm action starved, that vacay makeout was not enough to ... fill me up, if you will. My question is, do I or don't I with the friend? Obvi I can't count this as part of the competition, but why not have some fun on the side, right?

The hard questions.

And so the process begins... though, I must admit, you girls are intimidating, but then again, y'all have had a month head start (more if you're KT).

Tonight, I became a "Serious Member" on Plentyoffish.com (POF). So far as I can tell, the only benefit of being a "Serious Member" is that other members now know I'm serious. Wow. Great. $30 later, I'm a "Serious Member" for 3 months. Niiiice. So then, I work to perfect my profile. I'd left it sort of skeletal until just a few moments ago. Deciding exactly how to portray yourself to prospective suitors is perplexing. POF offers basically zero helpful matching tools. The whole site is basically a free for all of fish in a low tech ocean. I'm just trying to swim above all the bottom feeders. Seriously.

So, this is what I came up with; About Me: About Me

In August, I completed my second bachelors degree and am beginning my career. After five years of dedicated study, I am ready to dedicate myself to the career I have laid out in front of me. I love the work I do, and will speak of it freely when the opportunity is right; however, I prefer not to use it as a ploy to be asked on interview-style dates (the idea of such things is my greatest pet peeve).

In particular, I am new to the area and have few social connections. There's a lot to learn about this area and I look forward to the chance to explore with someone new.

I practice writing as an art in order to create an archive of the lives we live. Know that an email from me is likely to be lengthy. I am interested in many type of social experiments and informal anthropology.

I love the juxtaposition between technology & modernity // tradition & antiquity.

I find it endlessly interesting that if I were to say "I like Radiohead," most members of my generation will immediately and ultimately categorize my taste in music in a very particular (but mostly over-generalized) genre. I like Radiohead.

Through this process, I'd like to meet new people. I am not "into" a particular "type" of guy as I am unlikely to fit into a particular "type" myself. Intelligence and intrigue are significant factors.

First Date

Deep and meaningful conversation in an atmosphere that both facilitates and creates such opportunities. Long walks to no where, meeting for coffee/tea, art museums, etc.

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And the toughest decision of all? The little line next to my height (I rounded up to 5'10" to ward off undesirable short guys) which reads "Profession"..... thus far the most daunting self-revealing item. For this, I write: "Director; Restorative/Preservative Art." Very honest, I think.

Tonight I learned:

From L.Lo: The best way to relax before a first blind date _______.

From KT: This is a contest... news to me! Yikes. I thought I was just here to encourage my writing and meet my future ex-husband. Shit.