The Men

So I've got to say, if a woman really wants to be successful in this online dating thing, I think she would be wise to hire a personal assistant. Writing and responding to emails, organizing dates, keeping names straight... that right there is a full-time job.

As of right now, I've got four and a half men in my life. The half is a half because the jury's still out on whether he thinks I'm wonderful or just wants to be friends. I wish he'd make up his mind already and either fall in love with me or move along. I don't have time for this halfway business. But anyway, he's in and out, so he must be introduced. Let's call him... Skater... in honour of our first date. (Just to clear up any confusion, we went ice skating - he didn't teach me how to ollie).

Then there's The Illustrator. We went on a date a couple weeks ago. He's just barely keeping in contact enough for me to feel like I can't cut him loose, but he's not really working for it either. Maybe he's also a half. Maybe three quarters? I enjoyed the date for the most part, other than the fact that he talked about himself the whole time. Not even a "...and how about you?" For the record, guys, we women are looking for men who are interested in us - that includes the things we have to say.

Next comes The Architect. He seems alright for the most part. Told a joke about sex in his very first email which was a bit of a turn-off for me (it's really unfortunate how fine a line there is between charming and repulsive) but I chose to look past it and see if he had more to him. He asked me out in an email yesterday. Plans aren't solid yet, but stay tuned...

Then there's The Security Guard. This guy is eager, it's clear, but he also has absolutely no idea how to carry on a conversation. The Site has an IM function that we've been using recently, and at some moments it's been just plain painful. I'm hoping things will be much more natural in person.

And finally, my favourite thus far, Frenchie (so named because he is... French, that is). I like him. He's intelligent, he's witty, he's got a good job, he makes me laugh... and he informed me tonight that he shouldn't have come on to me so strongly because he's leaving in a matter of weeks and will be gone the whole summer.

I don't really know what to do with this information. Is it all just a lie to get out of communication with me? I've been wrong about this in the past, but I'm willing to bet this guy isn't trying to back out. So do I just stop talking to him because the timing is wrong? Do we continue to email? That can be nothing but trouble - any two people can fall in love with each other's words. I guess maybe we need to meet before he leaves? But I've mentioned in previous blogs my desire to have the man initiate the first meeting...

Oh, golly... See??? If I had a personal assistant, my people could contact his people and just set something up. Maybe a nice light lunch. As it is, I have to sit here waiting for him to ask me out whilst juggling all these other guys whose names I still can't keep straight.

Yup, it's a hard life out there in the dating world. Certainly not for the faint of heart...