The 2006 Dating Round Up

If I were to analyze my dating successes in the most detached, analytical way possible, I might say 2006 didn't really pan out for me. Here I am, without a special (human) winter friend, once again.

However, I've been in a really solid relationship with Netflix since May. After Meg introduced us, we started at two movies at a time. I think I'm ready to have Netflix come over more frequently-three movies at a time. It's big step, but it's worth it. Netflix has been so reliable. And even though it makes me cry sometimes, I laugh, too. No one else knows what I'm most likely to enjoy...

As for the people, I banked a few first dates, had the most awkward clown encounter of my adult life, and even dated a perfectly nice but smelly guy for a couple months. This year has been a real eye opener in dating strategy. The online stuff isn't for me. I'm not in the mood for the "told you so"ers today, either... Let me make my own mistakes Mom.

With Meg ushering in the Year of the Man, 2007 should be a little more interesting. Maybe her new experience will jumpstart the dating careers of all the Disaster Relief ladies. Maybe 2007 will be the year of meeting real people at real places. Maybe I have to practice making eye contact and smiling at people now.

I'm sorry Netflix... you've had me to yourself all this time. While I've really enjoyed our time together, I think we need some time apart. There's a big world to discover. Let's do just that, only not with each other. You're a great service. Oh, Netty! Don't cry your online tears. It's going to be okay. You have such an incredible technical support team. I'll always think fondly of you. And if you ever need anything, don't be afraid to pick up the high speed internet connection. I'm here.

Man Oh Man

I never refer to the dudes I date as boys. I’m not in 7th grade. I date guys. Or at least I thought I did. Yesterday I was asked out by a man and I said yes. I don’t know if I’m ready for this.

I’m not exactly sure when guys become men, but once they do, there’s no turning back. I was a young woman at 18 and probably transitioned to full on woman at about 25. At least in my own mind. But guys take their sweet time becoming men, and I’m not sure if I’m happy about that or not.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what makes this man a man. He’s 40, so the age helps, but there are plenty of 40 year olds that wouldn’t make it to the man category. It’s not that he’s not age appropriate- in fact, he’s way more age appropriate than the 23 year old with whom I recently had a fling. It’s not that he’s not fairly hip- he has a great sense of humor and has an awareness of what’s going on around him. He’s got a full head of hair, young looking skin, and a doesn’t own a home. But there’s something about him that leads me to believe that if he ever sleeps over, he’ll bring his black leather toiletries bag with him.

He exudes a certain friendly confidence that says, “I sometimes wear a sleep mask at night and you will just have to deal.” It’s the same friendly confidence that says he might own maroon poly blend dress socks, drink manhattans and have no shame about his baseball card collection. It’s a confidence he wears as comfortably as he wears his navy blue terrycloth robe and brown slippers.

But the great thing about dating a man, is that they cut right to the damn chase. None of this “does he like me, or doesn’t he” crap. An evening of friendly conversation at an event was followed by an email the next day in which he asked me out. There was no need for me to put this email through the great female analyzation machine. He asked me out and that was that.

Maybe the thing that makes a man a man is the confidence. He’s not cocky. He just knows what he likes and wants and doesn’t apologize for it. Maybe 18 year old dudes would be wearing terrycloth robes if they weren’t so self conscious. Cause really- they just make good sense on a cold winter morning.

The beauty is that no matter if I date a boy, or a guy, or a man, there is one thing that doesn’t change. Fear of commitment. No matter what the age, level of confidence or fashion sense, a gal can always count on a guy to be terrified of commitment. But at least if I’m dating a man, in the midst of one of the inevitable cyclical relationship discussions that leave me with a pounding headache, I know I can find some aspirin in his black leather toiletry bag.

I am < > this close to making out with my pillow

I’ve been out of dating commission for a while. This fall has been nuts. I had surgery, I worked 14 hour days all through October and I moved to a new neighborhood. My dating life has been on hiatus. It’s been necessary but now I’m emerging out of the chaos and I would really like to meet someone. Because, as I told Meg last night, I am this close < > to making out with my pillow.

Here’s my problem: I am dang sick of internet dating. I hate it. It’s fun to do for a while but then it get’s super lame. So this brings up the stressful issue of how to meet people outside of match.com and craigstlist. I’m beyond going out to bars and having one night stands. I am NOT looking for a serious relationship. I’m looking for a low maintenance relationship. The dude that will spend the night on weeknights, eat frozen waffles with me in my kitchen in his underwear and not expect that we hang out every Friday or Saturday.

Easy enough, right? Dudes hate commitment!! Now where to find these dudes that aren't gross. I talk to everyone I can at any event I go to. Readings, parties, whatever. I find most men are 1) married or 2) gay. Sometimes you strike on a rare single gem but then they either hit on your friend or there is negative zero chemistry. So what to do? I have no idea. But as I am officially back in the game, I will figure it out and share it with everyone who reads this blog (hello 2-3 readers!).

Wish me luck. (and my pillow – it might be a rough night)