What began as a lark to support a friend about 2 months ago has blossomed into a virtually endless resource to fulfill my New Years Intention (which was, once again, to laugh every single day).
I had hesitated to blog about this experience, because you just never know who might be reading.... yet, the giggles-factor has become way too delightful not to share (Note I will share only my own stories here. my pal can make her own decisions.. but maybe she will share a story or two as well)
Yes, dear friends, the intrepid fiberwizard has sashayed into the arena of on-line "dating". I use the term "dating" rather loosely here, since only 1 "gentleman" has actually been met in person for lunch.. but I'm getting ahead of myself.
The first chapter of my adventures opens with joining a free on-line dating site as a lark. A friend was joining, and we discussed how fun it would be to review each others' "matches" and give input. Should any of my brave readers decide to try this on-line dating adventure, I highly encourage you to do so as I did... with a friend. The hilarity that ensues from looking at the "profiles" together is well worth the price of admission (some sites are free, others cost about $20/month) The emails have literally flown between my pal and I, and we are totally enjoying ourselves.
Within the first 12 days of joining the free site, I had received 2 marriage proposals. truly. I kid you not.
Neither of these "gentlemen" had ever even corresponded with me prior to their opening offer. What is even more ludicrous is that 1 was an older man from about 4 states away, who subscribes fanatically to a religion that is far different from my own, and the other was a man at least 20 years my junior (who lived 3500 miles away) who said that he wanted a full time Mom for his child.
ahem.
Neither email received a response from me, rather only got blocked from future "offers".
There were a couple of potentially interesting conversations on this site, then began a slew of lewd emails - one from as far away as London from a 70 year old man.
Ahem.
I closed this account that day and moved over to 2 different "paying" sites. ( The free site will remain anonymous to prevent any potential contact from those on that site (laughs out loud to self))
The 2 sites I joined are quite competitive in both cost and style. EHarmony and Match dot com. A distant cousin of mine met her husband on EH almost 10 years ago, and my family encouraged me to check it out. I must admit that it has been a disappointment. And when my short paid subscription to EH is complete, I will not be renewing.
The hours of laughter (and potential blog fodder if you are brave) is worth the $20/month joining fee. Plus it was great entertainment when being snowed in for a week.. hahaha.
And thus, here follows just a few examples of the past 6-8 weeks of "on-line-dating" I hope that you all chuckle as hard as I have been.
Bachelor #1: A middle aged man, decent job, adult children, single, seemingly well employed & verbally astute. We chatted back and forth for a few weeks via their anonymous email options and decided to meet for lunch one day. I was actually looking forward to it. We met. I ate, he proceeded to mostly "drink" his lunch (seriously - I'm telling the truth!) & conveyed to me that he is still in love with his ex. I ate, and I left. one down.. deleted and blocked.
Bachelor #2 A man, also well educated, gainfully employed, looking for my age woman within 100 miles of where he lived. We sent emails a couple of times, that is, until he told me that women were sending him photos of themselves fully undressed and then he told me to "go out and be bad", delete. delete. delete. block.
Bachelor #3. This one only got one email to me, and one in return before being blocked. His first email said that he liked the "angularity" of my face, but that I looked quite "heavy" and would I clarify. (hahah) I shot off a quick text mail to my daughter, Erin, to confirm that indeed my perception is correct, and I have never been "heavy" a day in my life. (I wear size XS) and then I shot him back an email in which I quoted my daughter as saying " My daughter said that if she saw you she would give you a kick. And that the word "heavy" should only be used when describing moving a sofa" (well said Erin!) delete. blocked.
Bachelor #4: a gentleman almost 10 years older than me wrote an eloquently romantic email saying hello. I replied with a short, quick, "hi". His second email (the same day) offered his phone number, and to please call him that day if I could, and practically had me walking down the aisle with him! Note that 1) I do not give out my phone number until I know a great deal about a person and 2) I doubt very highly that there is ever going to be another guy who will impress me enough to remarry... needlesstosay, this guy was deleted and blocked with no further communication.
The list could go on, yet I fear, my dear readers, that you would laugh yourself into such a fit of hysteria that you would not be able to see straight. (grins)
At this point, I am maintaining my profile for another 30 days at a time, and seeing if the wind blows differently in the future. I am chatting on line with a few intelligent, seemingly decent gentlemen, who actually took the time to read my profile and note that I am looking for friendships and maybe a sailing buddy next spring/summer.
Who knows what Chapter Two of this adventure will bring!
Ah... and yes, there has been some knitting.
This brings back memories... I once got 'chatted up' by a man who proceeded to tell me that it was high time I 'updated' my hair and my glasses. I did wonder why on earth he contacted me, if he thought I didn't look good. And then there was the one who was into swordfighting and who had a Russian ex who was taking their son away to Russia. You do meet some odd ones... but I've been in a happy relationship for almost 4 years now, thanks to online dating!
Posted by: Cybèle | January 08, 2009 at 01:45 AM
I'm glad you can laugh at all of this. It is pretty funny and there sure are some wackos out there! I have a friend who met her husband on Match.com. Just saying.
Posted by: Carole | January 08, 2009 at 04:12 AM
Laughter is good for the soul. I love the addition of color to the shawl it really changes it's whole personality! :)
Posted by: Ruinwen | January 08, 2009 at 04:46 AM
Ah, the surreality of the whole thing! I actually had the best matches from a local version of one of the paid sites. It's changed names so many times that I really have no idea what is anymore, alas. Or maybe not alas!
Posted by: Chris | January 08, 2009 at 05:49 AM
It's good there is a delete and block feature. :)
Posted by: Wool Winder | January 08, 2009 at 06:09 AM
Huh... well you have had some intersting results so far...
I have two good friends (both male) who met their present partners through on-line so I know it can bring good things. Guess you have to slog through some cr*p first though! Good that you've got a sense of humor about it!
Posted by: Kathleen C. | January 08, 2009 at 08:50 AM
There are some scary people out there for sure!! I met Michael on the computer (on a BBS)...course that was years ago and before the internet. Boy am I dating myself here!
Hopefully you'll find a good friend or two amongst all the wackos. :)
Posted by: Karen | January 08, 2009 at 11:02 AM
OMG! Good for you, being able to laugh about it! It's so scary out there!
Look at your Heartwarmer! Soooo pretty!
Posted by: Leah | January 08, 2009 at 08:23 PM
I met my husband online, but not through a matching service. That was scary enough...but at least we knew we had some things in common, having "met" in a group based around a mutual interest. My calculated risk paid off, though :-)
I'm glad you're doing this with a friend and getting a kick out of it. It's much better to approach dating with a sense of humour...given the choice to laugh or be discouraged, bravo to you for laughing! (and these dudes *are* hilarious...)
Posted by: Lee Ann | January 10, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Oh honey, this just made me laugh so hard I nearly had to change underwear. I'm not sure which of the Bachelors made me laugh more, but the marriage proposals are just a kick!
My SIL did this same thing a year ago, and had similar results. There are a lot of really, um, hopeless dates out there. She did finally meet one guy that she has continued to date, though she has no intention of ever marrying the man.
Posted by: Lorette | January 10, 2009 at 03:21 PM
*snort*
Posted by: minnie | January 10, 2009 at 08:42 PM
My hubbie figures that one out of about 20 men is "a nice guy". YOu have to be getting close to hitting pay dirt. In the mean time, delete delete delete is a nice option ;-)
Posted by: jackie | January 11, 2009 at 06:04 AM
I am SHOCKED! Just SHOCKED!
OK not really, but I've always wanted to say that.
I've got my fingers crossed for a happy (or a movie deal - whichever). To bad delete delete delete doesn't work in person!
PS High five to Erin.
Posted by: Emily | January 11, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Thanks for a good laugh! I tried the online thing before meeting my BF (not online). I met with 2 of the guys. One was very nice and we met as friends a few times. One was nearly proposing on the first meeting and I never had any contact with him again. Brrrrr.
Others have had success so I wouldn't give up so quickly.
Posted by: Alex | January 12, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Tell the next guy that proposes to deposit huge sums of money into your Swiss bank account! Ha ha ha
An interesting sociology experiment for sure...
Are you and your friend having a proposal contest? :)
Posted by: Diane | January 16, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Interesting experiences. I'm on a couple sites too. I've gotten no marriage proposals, but many "good christians" seem drawn to wink from the other side of the country. A high proportion of lewd freaks on the free site. The paid site seems to have a higher class of guy. I have a first date coming up on Sunday. Keep your fingers crossed that I survive it!! LOL And good luck to you!
Posted by: Chris | January 16, 2009 at 08:28 PM