The last post

Cute/Sexy Potential has just asked the question. After just one date, and the odd chat, the 'where do you see us going' question has been raised!!!

And you know what. I was more than happy to answer the question!! In fact, it was great to have been asked!!! We've decided to give it a go... as a couple!

He's still not 100% whether I'm serious about him, but I'm hoping he'll work out that I am soon. We've agreed to be 'exclusive', and to see if things work out as we hope they will!

So, bad news for you blog readers, but good for me! After over a year, and countless dates I think I've found someone who is so cool he's keeping me up all night (and before you all think smutty thoughts, he's miles away!!)

Now, can we all keep our fingers crossed I don't screw this up!

Thanks everyone for reading about my trials and tribulations during my online dating experience! I'm hoping this really is my last post :)

post date analysis

Todays date goes down as the funniest one ever! It's been a comedy of errors, which only seemed to make the day better than ever!

We agreed to meet at 'beauty spot' kind of between the two of us. The pub by the river. Sounds simple doesn't it. I get there a little early, so park up to wait for him. Here's the jist of the little conversation that followed:

Him: "Hi, where are you"
Me: "In the car park, where are you?"
Him: "In the car park!"

So, I get out of the car and have a look around. Nope, no sign of him. From where he said he was I reckoned he would be about 10 feet away.

Me: "I can't see you!"
Him: "Um, what's the pub called?"
Me (confused): "The Court... it's the only pub here"
Him (confused: "I'm in the George... it's the only pub here"

Turns out this tiny little 'beauty spot' has an East and a West, East being one side of the river, and West being the other side! Shit. I told him to stay put, and got back in the car to whizz over the bridge. Unfortunately the brigde now had some kind of police roadblock, so I ended up 5 miles away!!

Eventually, after directions from various people I find the right pub!! And there he was... looking Cuter and Sexier than his pics seemed to show, and armed with 5 Curly Wurlys!!!

We had a couple of drinks at the pub (you know, the one by the river!), then went for a walk. There was this kind of boat that took you from one side of the river to the other, so we thought we'd walk up to the next bridge, back down the other side and then get the boat back.

The bridge turned out to be about a mile and a half away (thank god i decided not to wear my high boots!!)! But we talked so much we didn't really notice the distance, or the time... when we eventually got to the place to get on the boat it had disappeared! So we had to walk three miles back the way we came! it's a good job we had those Curly Wurlys!!

By the time we got back we were both 2 hours late for our respective kids! Talk about responsible parents!!

I got a text off him as I was (speeding) home, and we've talked for a bit tonight!!

And before you ask... yes, I am seeing him again. He's so easy to get along with... and I think the whole 'posh' image he had of me quickly disappeared. I won't go into details, but it was a six mile walk alongside running water :)

Oh, and mum. The emergency call (you know, the one you make half an hour into a date in case I need a get out). I'm not sure you should assume if my phone is off it's because I'm having fun. Really you should be concerned about whether I'm floating head down in the river! There was no network coverage!

Finally!

I've got a date with the Cute/Sexy Potential!!!!!

All week he's been talking about meeting up today, then getting the jitters and changing his mind!! I was actually at the point earlier this morning of taking my profile down and throwing in the towel!

The funny thing is, normally by now if a Potential had been this hard work I'd have moved on, but there's just something very different about him. He emails 3 or 4 times a day, we've chatted a little, and he's send the odd text (and look, no sign of me being irritated... at all!)

So, why the jitters?? Well, for some reason he thinks if we meet I may not like him, and so he's nervous!! Maybe if he new how fickle I was he'd understand that for me to keep in contact with him for 3 weeks has got to be a clear sign I do quite like* him (for 'like' read 'fancy the a**e off') , so unless he's really hiding something I don't get it??

He still thinks I'm posh, but that may well change this afternoon. Why... well, I'm actually not feeling too good, and have already been sick (and spoiled a good early walk this morning). JP has pointed out to me that it's not very ladylike to puke in someone's lap!

Wise words JP... wise words!

Anyway, I've got to get myself ready. Now... what to wear :)

For real?

Checking my emails today (just in case Cute/Sexy Potential has sent a little snippet of fun... which he had!), and I noticed a very odd new guy.

His profile has apparently been written by Winnie the Pooh! Winnie would like to know if I would like to take his friend out sometime. He likes hugs (that's his friend, not Winnie :/)

You couldn't make this up. I need to get myself off this site, soon!

Slow but steady progress

Cute/Sexy Potential called! We were chatting away on MSN this morning, and he was toying with the idea of coming to meet me, so we swapped numbers! Then I scooted off to my beloved family for lunch (thank you Bruv for the delicious food... and thank you Mum for your complete faith in my ability to find a man!)

No text of Cute/Sexy though :(

So, when I got home I checked my emails, and there was one off him. Apparently he's dying to come down, but is still nervous that I'm going to be disappointed!

Dear god man... do I have to go up there and drag you out!!!

So, we had another little chat on MSN a bit earlier, and we've arranged to meet next weekend!! He said he'd give me a call, so we could get to know each other a bit more, then all of a sudden the phone rang!

I put on my best telephone voice... it was him! We only had a 5 minute chat because he had some friends on their way over, but he said he was feeling brave! I say it was a chat, but really we both just giggled!

Not long after I got a sweet text off him, to say I was "lovely... posh, but lovely". I sent him one back to let him know I was off to give the ponies their champagne :)

So, I'm going to have a 'Face to Face' (No.45) with probably the sexiest Potential I think I've seen.

Jolly good show, yah :)

"I'm not like the others"

A typical conversation....

New Potential: "Hi... I loved your profile (insert some kind of compliment here)... wanna chat"

Me: "Sure... how's you" (plus oodles of other words... I don't do one liners remember!)

NP:blah blah "do you have MSN?"

Me: "I do, but is it OK for me to get to know you a little better here first?" blah blah

NP: "OK, but I'm telling you, I'm not like all the others here"

Me (tongue in cheek): "I'm sure you're not..."

This Mutual Contact kind of bounces back and forth a bit, and I eventually give out my MSN id.

A typical MSN conversation (with same Potential)...

NP: "Hi sexi... wat u up 2" (note the rapid change to tXt skP :(
Me: "Hi there"
NP: "So, wanna meet up l8tr for a coffee?"
Me: "not tonight... maybe some other time though"
MP: "I'm horny now... dun u wanna help a fella out?"
Me: Right Click, Block

Bruv... I *am* trying!

Thank you Bruv, for your Skyped words of wisdom... "isn't it time you actually found a boyfriend?". Um... don't you think I'm trying!

Anyway, this guy... the one I really quite like. Well, he's been emailing me every day (pretty good stuff too... a mix of a bit about him, funny stories, and the odd hint of naughtiness!). Today we've gone to second base and swapped msn id's!!

I know, steady on!

So far there's only one downside... I mean, he's very cute/sexy 'looking', and seems like a lot of fun, but I think he's a little hung up on the whole 'why on earth do I like him'.

Apart from the cute/sexy mix, I think it's because he doesn't seem in too much of a rush to jump in with those hints of neediness that scare me off. In fact, I'm almost at the stage of asking HIM if he wants to meet up. Look at me, doing all the running!

Changing the subject a little... this will make you giggle/throw up. This freebie site and it's Instant Messaging can sometimes be a little too revealing. This guy I'd been chatting to for a couple of days popped up the other day. In the corner of the IM window there's a little pic of the person you're chatting to.

What I didn't know was this can also be used for video... all of a sudden his pic goes away, and is replaced by moving images of this delightful chap NAKED!!!

Yuck, Yuck, Yuck... I almost spat my coffee over my cute new Mac!!!

Oh, and ex Potential, who seems to be just as addicted to dating and wine as I am. Yes... a drink (or 4), and an evening swapping stories is a must :)

a victim of my own success

The new site has some 'features' that although sound pretty good, they're kind of hindering the path of true love!! Why?

Well, on this site if you like someone you can add them as a 'Favourite'. Now, I thought that's just a way of 'bookmarking' someone, But no.. it seems this is like some kind of popularity contest!

Initially I though that was great. I mean, there's nothing better than looking at your profile and seeing that 'x' or 'xx' number of people have added you as a favourite. I know all it means is 'xxx' number of people have bothered to click an extra button, just for me!

But, here's the flip side. If you start chatting to someone who you think is really cool, do you add them to your 'favourites' list?? I'm a bit lazy, so generally I don't.

Somehow I've ended up on 'xxx's peoples favourites. It could be my charm, or it could be the carefully selected pic... I've no idea, but it feels good :)

But there's this guy I've been talking to for a couple of weeks (who I really like), and we were on the point of setting a date, until this:

He's on 'x' people favourites, and I'm on 'xxx' peoples favourites. So he's all concerned about where he fits in!

How do you say' top of my list' without sounding too needy?

And again... GRRRR!

Since my last post I've had another bunch of texts off The Golfer. I don't get this at all. Normally if you 'dump' someone, you just leave it at that, right?

Not The Golfer.
Do I still want to be friends (no... I hardly know you).
Do I still want golf lessons (no... I'll stick with Gorgeous H, but thank you for the offer).
What am I up to tonight (well, as I was planning to go out with him, pretty much nothing)

My god, this guy is just not getting it, is he! He's seeing someone else, I'm pretty cool about it, but don't feel a massive desire to keep some kind of 'non dating' text friendship going on.

Why on earth would I? He drove me mad with all those texts anyway!

Fore!

In a complete turn of events it's all off with The Golfer. This guy is so odd... all week he's been maxing out his text allowance, then today he sent one to let me know he's 'kind of' seeing someone, but it's 'complicated'.

He likes her, but she's got a busy life and he doesn't know where he stands. So, ever so slightly put out, but being a mature person I sent him one back to thank him for being honest with me, and to wish him luck.

Then a got a reply to see if I still fancied meeting up today, and that he wanted to carry on being friends and helping me with my golf. Well, after an abysmal game this morning I think even Gorgeous H is going to struggle to inspire me, so I said thanks, but no thanks.

Then (now this is the icing on the cake) he sent ANOTHER text, to see if he could get in touch if it doesn't work out!!!

Cheeky little bugger. I've never knowingly been a 'reserve girl' and don't intend to be now!!

Grrrr... men :)

A lady what lunches

What a fab day... I only got lost three times (once in the car, and twice on foot)! I did call The Glaswegian to let him know, in case he thought I'd stood him up!

We didn't actually bother going into the museum we were meeting at... bizarrely there was a fab bar just next door, so it seemed a better option to shelter from the rain in there (with the company of a Guinness!). And then on to lunch in a very sweet restaurant (with the company of a bottle of wine!).

The Glaswegian is a really funny guy, and I quickly got up to full speed banal chit chat with him (what do you mean, poor guy?). After lunch we had a little wander around Bath before I scooted home at a reasonable hour!

Was there a spark? Do I want him to spend hours on the phone chatting away with that lovely accent of his?

Well, not really. He's someone I could see being a good friend, but there is no Partner Potential there. In fact, we seemed to end up more like some kind of comedy double act, with oodles of laughs :)

So, not a disappointment at all, and we've made kind of tentative plans to meet up in the autumn!

The dreaded question

The Golfer sent me a text earlier (I know, quelle surprise!), with a question. Now, don't panic... it wasn't the 'where do you see us going' one, but it was kind of just as awkward;

His text... So, are you dating anyone else??

Ouch, ouch ouch!!

I decided to go for the 'technically honest' response of 'No, not at the moment'. It's not really a fib, more an accurate statement of a precise time/space bit of my life.

The weekend is here

And my dating plans are all sorted!

Tomorrow I'm of for my 'lah dee dah' lunch in Bath with The Glaswegian (No. 44). I'm really looking forward to meeting this guy, and it's a perfect opportunity to get all dressed up! We're meeting on the steps of a museum... I've actually got no clue where it is, but I'm sure with the help of Google I'll find it!

It'll be like a mini treasure hunt :)

And Sunday is my day with The Golfer (who I forgot to mention is No.43!). I've got an early round of golf with a guy from work before I meet him, then I'm off to the range with The Golfer for my 'lesson'!! He's convinced he can show me a few tips to help me win my competition.

If it works I'll marry him (if nothing else it will save on phone bills).

Louts

Blimey... I'm having loads of fun on the Freebie Site. I totally getting into the swing of it now, and I've even started accepting instant messages!!

Really, they have this kind of IM thingie built in, so as you're perusing the Potentials little windows pop up on screen, saying things like 'hOtStud152 wants to chat', and a yes/no option. I've been terrified of accepting so far, but today I thought what the hell!!

Unfortunately most of the 'hOtStud' variations only want to talk about sex, but I have chatted to a couple of fairly decent guys today, including a soldier, a DJ, and even The Golfer!!

In fact, I was chatting to those three at the same time. Now you all know how my head can struggle with any form of communication overload, so that was no mean feat for me!

The DJ is actually fairly intelligent, and wants to chat later (I'm offline at the moment... I can't write this as well as thinking of witty comebacks!)! Nice photo too!

Ooh... remember The Dentist? I've had a text off him tonight to ask if I'm still speaking to him?!? I'm not going to even start chatting to him. My phone can't actually take two texty Potentials!

And finally, a quick update on The Golf War. It seems as though the Saga Louts at the club are stitching me up well and proper. There's a special competition in a couple of weeks, that only singles can play in. They call it the Flirtation Cup. Now obviously I put my name down, thinking it was the one and only chance I could actually meet someone who's not married/widowed at the club.

So what have those genteel female folk done?? Only paired me up with the oldest and grumpiest man at the club. It's no wonder he's bloody single, he's an arse :(

The mob

Firstly... I had another fantastic birthday (thanks everyone!!), and MORE flowers!! I got an email of the guy from Glasgow to wish me a happy birthday, and instructions on where to pick up a present he'd got for me!!

Half thinking it was a wind up, I called the florist to see if there really was something there for me... and yes there was! How sweet is he. He doesn't know where I live, or even my full name, but he went to the trouble of ordering a gorgeous bouquet!!!

So my place is starting to look like the Chelsea Flower Show :)

We've arranged to meet for lunch at the weekend in Bath. I do quite like this guy... he's intelligent, not too intense, and thoughtful!

Somewhat slightly more intense is the volume of texts I'm now getting off The Golfer... the screen on my phone is going to melt!

He's a cheeky little sweetie, and a lot of his messages are funny. But you know me, and you can guess exactly how this is going to go!!! We've arrange to meet on Sunday, but so far he's asked to see me again before that EVERY NIGHT!!!

It's driving me mad!

But I'm going to hang in there with him for a little bit... I'm inadvertently involved in a 'golf war' and I could really do with a bit of help!!

The 'sweet' old ladies at the golf club are using a bizarre range of tactics to psyche me out before my big game. Honestly, I've never seen such a bunch of bad sports. Apparently it's not the done thing to knock the Ladies Captain out of a competition, so now her right hand gang are pretty much out to get me. I wouldn't be surprised to find a horses head in my locker at some point! Even my mum is getting in on the act (on my side though, thank god!)

So I'm having 'secret' lessons from Gorgeous H, and trying to work out how to smile sweetly at the cronies while they mentally stab me in the back.

But a little help off The Golfer wouldn't go amiss!!

Phew!

Blimey... it's all gone a little manic in my world!!

It's been just over a week since I've signed up to the Freebie Site, and my god it's interesting! Remember The Golfer I mentioned? Well here's the full (insane) update...

The Golfer... cute, sharp and interesting. We had a couple of days emailing/texting, then he wanted to meet yesterday. Now in my mind this could only be good. I mean, I've a major competition in a couple of weeks, so hooking up with someone who teaches golf is obviously a good move.

So yesterday we met up. Now, he seemed to have a bit of a wibble earlier in the day... sending me a text to ask if it was OK for it not to be a 'date', but more like two friends meeting for a drink?

Slightly odd, but OK. At least that dispelled the expectations. Just friends (although we're clearly strangers!). So we met early evening for a couple of games of pool, a meal and a couple* of drinks.

He's very easy to get along with, a little competitive (he won EVERY game of pool!), very good looking, and (wait for it)... only 28!!!!

Seriously, he's 10 years younger than me (11 tomorrow... it's my birthday!!!). Maybe that was why he got a little freaked about the whole 'date' thing? I spent the night being ever so slightly casual about the evening, because I seriously didn't think he was going to want to take it any further. At the end of the night kind of made arrangements to meet again, and he went off to get his train.

But my gold he's been keen since!! I had about 4 texts off him last night after he'd gone, and enough to fill up my phone memory today!! He wanted to come over tonight, but I've had a night with Voice of Reason so no chance.

I've agreed to meet him at the weekend though!!

I've got a couple more dates lined up this weekend too... I've been chatting online to a guy from Glasgow (from the 'quality site'). It turns out he's not too far away from me at the weekend, so we're going to have lunch on Saturday afternoon!

But, enough of dating... I believe I may have A BIRTHDAY tomorrow!!! I've already had a beautiful bouquet of flowers from an ex Potential! I came home from work to find a smirking security guard brandishing them... and believe it or not it was the guy who had no qualms about removing from Facebook!!

Guys... you're so bloody complicated!


*you know with me a couple means oodles!!!

A funny thing happened on the train

Right, are you ready for a 'War and Peace' style blog. So much has gone on since last week I'm not sure where to start!!

Where did I leave you? The curious beginnings of old Potentials coming out of the woodwork! Well, this contact has led to stranger and stranger goings on!

First, the weekend. Now... I had no one to look after Voice of Reason, so it was a date free weekend. That was until he decided that his time is better spent in the company of his friends, leaving me at a last minute loose end.

So I took the bull by the horns and arranged a fairly quick impromptu date with a comedian I'd been chatting too on the 'quality' dating site!

Strangely, he turned up with one of his friends (another comedian). It was like being out with the bloody Chuckle Brothers (only they weren't quite so ugly!). I only stayed for a couple of drinks... the in jokes and comedy routine was OK, but not really what I'd planned! He does want to see me again though (alone!).

This week I've had another blast from the past... Rugby Guy called, totally out of the blue. He'd been thinking about me, and wonders if I fancy a drink. The last time I saw him was the time he turned up with his kids (which obviously freaked me out a little), but I think as long as he doesn't tag the sweet little munchkins along a drink for old times would be good... he was good fun!

That's next week though, and I've still got oodles to tell. so bear with me!

At the weekend (when Voice of Reason shunned me) I thought it would be 'interesting' to sign up to a different dating site. Now this one is a free one, so I thought there's no harm in trying.

God, what a difference to the 'quality' site. Within minutes of signing up (there's no approving profiles, so you can put whatever you want on there) your profile is out there. And they're like vultures, pouncing on 'newbies'

Now, I don't want to judge too harshly, but I think the fact it's free seems to attract every knuckle scraper and form of pond life you can imagine. It's bloody scary I can tell you.

You get swamped with messages (generally one liners littered with txt spk) from people who seem incapable of dealing with members of the opposite sex. And the photos... my god some of them are scary!! Most of them (men AND women) see to be taken with camera phones, with the subject in various states of undress. Yuck :(

But it seems to throw up a whole new mission for me... to find the diamond in the rough (and seriously... I mean rough). And I have actually found 2 (out of about 300 messages) guys who seem relatively normal (seems nice doesn't really cut it yet).

So, Mutual Contact has commenced with a golfer (localish) and a cute DJ from over the water!!

No dates though (I think these lot need very careful vetting!). I did however blag myself a date tonight with a guy I met on the train on Monday.... like as in real life, not in any kind of virtual world

Shared love of shiny Apples got us together. Any excuse, I know, but we had a giggle and a glass of (crap) wine on the train home, and as I was getting off he asked me if I fancied a drink!

So I've just come back from sharing a bottle of (good) wine with The Stylish Geek! And I'm seeing him again next week :)

Few... almost done. The Vic Reeves lookalike... he's kept in in fairly regular contact, and wants to see me again. I don't know what to do about this guy, mainly because I actually really like him, and I worried if I keep in with him I'll get totally hooked. I'll keep you posted.

Perhaps the most important news though is my suddenly elevation to potential golf star. I've somehow managed to get to the FINAL in the Ladeez club competition, and in a little over three weeks will be playing for glory (and my name on a leader board) against someone who surely knows better than me.

It's such a serious game I even need to book a caddy! Me, with my own caddy... who'd have though 12 months ago I'd be doing this.

I wonder if Gorgeous H is free??

What's going on?

Last night I made a conscious decision to break away from living in an 'online world' for a couple of days... the dating site/Skype/Facebook.  The sun is out, and I should be outside in it, rather than constantly keeping an eye on various little beeps and alerts popping up on screen!

So, what's happened?

Today I've had two texts off Baileys Guy, been Skyped by The Trialthete (who isn't even in my contacts list anymore), and I know there's messages waiting for me on the dating site from an unknown, and even The Law Prof!

Even though I'm extremely tempted to sneak a look (only because I'm curious to see what The Law Prof said!) I'm going to do my best to resist.  

It's just sporadic email checking, and the good old phone for me for now (oh, and this blog too I guess!)

The Vic Reeves Lookalike has called to see if I want to meet tonight, but I'm taking Voice of Reason out for some parental 'bonding' (i.e. no arguing!)

Problem solved

The Facebook dilemma has been sorted. The ex Potential has removed me!

I *may* well be keeping an eye out over the next few days... just in case the Mafia are out there :)

Social networking dilemma

Facebook...

I don't know if you lot use Facebook at all (well, I know some of you do because you're in my Friends list). If you don't use it, then this is basically how it works;

You open set up a profile, then it rummages about in your emails to find *anyone* you've ever emailed. They all get invited to be your Friend :/

Once you've established your little circle, you then start adding your Friend's Friends to your list (even if you only ever met them once at the end of a drunken night, and wouldn't recognise them again if they ran at you with a spade).

You can write wacky little messages on each others walls, and if you're really clever use the status facility (that's the bit where you broadcast to the world/Friends what you're going to have for your tea) to post 'secret' messages that people either understand, or they don't.

This can be immense fun, because you can gauge how nosey/curious people are by putting something pretty obscure on there, and wait for the one person who can resist finding out more to send you a message!

Anyway, I'm sure you're all technically savvy enough to know how it works. But what do you do when you add Potential to your little circle of Friends, but then it doesn't work out?

Well, this has happened to me now, and although I know the simplest thing is to simply remove the offending ex Potential, but it just seems so cruel. You get that little confirmation message "Are you sure you want to remove [insert name here]", which to me seems to sound like something you'd normally get the mafia* to do.

So, I have an ex Potential still hanging about in amongst my Friends list, which means I get to see his status, and vice versa. And worse, I can see what his Friends post on his wall. Ok, I *should* just not look, but curiosity does get the better of me.

So, at the moment I can see a one sided post date analysis (you only see what his Friends have posted, not his replies, so ).

It's bloody freaky I can tell you.

The moral of this story... Don't add Potentials to my circle of Friends (at least until you've had the 'where do you see us going' conversation and *are* actually going somewhere), or just stop using bloody Facebook.

Social Networking eh... great fun!

Other news... The Vic Reeves Lookalike. After my post yesterday I don't quite know how I did this, but I have convinced myself it's not going anywhere. Don't ask me why, but in true commitment phobe style I went through a series of scenarios, and have come to the conclusion that he probably isn't right for me.

If he calls maybe I'll rethink!

*I should point out, I have never *actually* got the Mafia to remove anyone. In fact, as far as I'm aware I don't even know any Mafia folk.

Strike three

Date three with the Vic Reeves Lookalike. The crucial third date, where I start to get bored and move on to the next Potential.

Well, this was a blindingly good third date! We met for drinks in my favourite bar (and as we've been there twice in less than a week, even *he* now counts as a regular!). We had every intention of popping to see some bizarre 'street theatre', but somehow got distracted by alcohol!!!

So, oodles of drinks later we headed off for a meal/more drinks, before deciding the best nightcap would be hideously expensive margaritas in the bar downstairs. We had toyed with the idea of going along to the party (the colleagues one), but by this time we could barely walk, so thought it *might* not be a good idea!!!

This morning we went out for a lazy breakfast, and *somehow* managed to follow that up with a Guinness (or two) sat outside in the sun!!

This guy is serious good fun, and he's said he's going to give me a call to sort out another date this week!!!!

So, all good there then. However, I need to get my money's worth from my dating subscription, so I'm chatting to a guy from Glasgow. It's the accent. Get a Glaswegian to say Curly Wurly... it's fab :)

Oh, and Baileys Guy is still sending oodles of texts and has called.. twice! Even though I do still want to meet him, I'm actually starting to think I may be his backup girlie. That's the one you keep in reserve for dry dating spells. I mean, I don't hear from him for months, then he pops back up.

Hang on...

I just re read my last post.  Did I just mention the 'going somewhere' phrase.

It's OK though... it was only to you lot. 

A winner?

I'm so so glad I delayed the awards ceremony. I *think* I may just have found a winner for the following categories:

Sexiest Potential (by far)
Funniest Potential
and
Best Date

I had a bloody fantastic night last night... we spend the entire night giggling between rounds of Guinness, red wine and vodka! He's sexy (as hell), intelligent AND funny. And no hint of 'so, where do you see us going then'!!!

I got a text off him this morning to let me know he had a fab time, and when can we meet up again?? Now, even though I was tempted to text him back and demand he move in immediately, I tried to be a little more cool than that, and suggested sometime this weekend! Now, in my usual style I now have to fit him in with prior arrangements, which are a little complicated to say the least... a family barbecue, and a party with colleagues.

Now, I *could* take him along to the party (the one with my colleagues, NOT the barbecue). But, I did have a kind of disaster last time I introduced a Potential to them, so if I want to do the whole going somewhere thing with the Vic Reeves Lookalike then it's probably best not to!

I do have a major problem with childcare too, so I'm massively limited. Typical isn't it. I never have problems with time when a Potential is not quite up to the mark, and the one time I think I may have found a diamond all of a sudden every responsible person in my life is on holiday. Bugger!

Other news... Bailey's Guy sent me another text as I was almost on my way out last night. He really must pick up on my dating vibes, as this is the second text in as many days. He said he was going to call, so obviously I told him I was 'otherwise engaged'. He's calling tonight.

My aura

How strange. I put myself back 'on the market' a mere three days ago, but I must be giving off a 'single' vibe. You'll never guess who I got a text off today??

BAILEY'S GUY!!!

This guy is so interesting. I've never actually met him in what must be eight months of sporadic 'Mutual Contact', and to be honest I'd forgotten all about him. Then today he pops his little head back into my world via the medium of SMS!

Am I *ever* going to meet him?

Well, possibly... but not this week. Via the medium of SMS I also got a message off the Vic Reeves Lookalike. He can't get to email, so wanted to let me know in case I was wondering where he was!

How cute... but I'm actually too busy to be thinking too much about him, because I'm already in full on 'getting ready' mode. I've got hair to tame, a pedicure to do, along with probably 36 hours worth of deliberating about what to wear on Wednesday!

I've decided to put The Golfer off until next week... I'm actually looking forward to getting drunk with the Vic Reeves Lookalike so much I don't want to rush two dates.

3 texts and an email later...

and we've arranged to meet on Wednesday!

He seems really keen (not needy... keen. There's a difference!), and so am I. I know this is the first person I've met on this new site, but if the quality of No.42 is anything to go by I could be onto a winner here!

Of course, I'm keeping my options open a little, and am still chatting with The Golfer (he's not actually a member of my club, but plays there regularly). The only slight problem is he wants to meet up on Wednesday too.

How long has it been since I've done the old double date thing?

Hic!

The afternoon tea turned into a couple of bottles of wine! What can I say... I'm back, and straight back into the swing of things!

My date with Number 42, the Vic Reeves look-alike. I've had the pleasure of oodles of hours to get ready, so I went for a casual Sunday look. They say the sun shines on the righteous, and even though I'm not sure I can put myself totally in that category, it made enough of an appearance to let us sit outside my favourite bar for a couple of hours!

So, what was he like??

I stand by the Vic Reeves description, but kind of mixed with a hint of Rowland Rivron/Phil Daniels. That may not be the look for you, but I've got to say for me that is a knicker twangingly sexy combination.

He was on time, chatty... and full to the brim with funny stories. He seemed totally on my wavelength, and seems to have enough of a life of his own to not turn into a needy insecure control freak! I could quite happily have stayed there for a couple more hours, but Voice of Reason needed food, so made my excuses and we've *kind of* agreed to meet again!!

I'm going to hold back on any further judgement, but seriously... this guy is pretty cool :)

Breakneck?

I've got a new 'Face to Face'! Already :)

Talk about a quick mover. I'm meeting the Vic Reeves lookalike tomorrow afternoon for a cup tea (how la dee dah!)

I have so say, it's been strangely comforting being back in the bosom of my internet dating 'family'! Oh how I love communicating with strange (and probably totally unsuitable) people!

So, tomorrow is number 42! Am I really going to be meeting the meaning of life?

Hello... is anyone there?

Like a somewhat ashamed alcoholic, I've got to admit I've fallen well and truly off the wagon, and I'm dating again!

I know, I know... I vowed that was it. But obviously 41 potentials is not quite enough, and I'm banging at the door of the dating site asking to be let back in, with my 'foxy' tail between my legs.

Actually, that's not strictly true. What really happened is I've succumbed to the tempting offers from the 'Other' site. Just to recap (in case you've already forgotten all about me... already!) I signed up to dating site run by a 'quality' newspaper, thinking the calibre of Potentials would be a little higher.

Well, I got a message off a fairy decent looking chap earlier today, and believe it or not I was so intrigued I parted with a fair amount of cash just to reply to him. What can I say... I can be impulsive on occasion (ooh... I should add that to my profile!).

So a little bit of 'Mutual Contact' has commenced! He's quite a funny guy (and cute in a sort of Vic Reeves way).

Now that I've signed up fully, I thought I may as well answer some of the others who have got in touch (I may as well get my moneys worth!). One of the other Potentials *could* be a member of my golf club. There's a photo of me on there (wearing the 'oh so cute' golf skirt), and he not only recognised not only the course, but even which hole the photo was taken on.

Funny... I hadn't noticed any eligible guys at the course (mind you, most of the time I was so focused on Gorgeous H that Brad Pitt could've been playing and I wouldn't have noticed).

Could be time to dig out the old golf challenge I think. I could do with some champagne!

Cold turkey

5 days... that's how long it's been since I've been cast out to mingle with real people, and so far I seem to be surviving :)

Getting used to being truly single is sometimes a little strange though, and there's still some reminders hanging about from my past year.

1st... No.41 (I'll call him The Intellectual) wonders if I fancy joining him for a meal tomorrow night. I'm tempted to go along, but I know he's not really my type, so it would be kind of stringing him along. He has suggested a pretty cool bar though :)

2nd... The Teacher. A long lost (complicated) love interest is about to spring back into his life, so thought it 'gentlemanly' to let me know. But, wouldn't mind staying in touch as friends. Now that always sounds like a good deal, but in reality that never works out. Imagine the scene... summer evening, night out... he with his long lost (complicated) love interest in tow, me remembering I've seen his bod. And there's always the possibility I'll turn into some kind of agony aunt (not the first time, as I discovered with The Twin).

Not a good idea, so best avoided!

3rd... Baileys Guy (remember him). For six months I've had fairly sporadic 'Mutual Contact' with this guy. Now he wants to meet (I know, we've been there before!). I've tentatively said maybe!

4th... The Barman. Now, this is 'very' interesting. I bumped into him yesterday outside the place he works (it's a bar, remember). He gave me the biggest smile so far, and yet another wink. OK, he may have a twitch... but he's quite cute, so I can see myself having to have the odd night out there soon (I guess I could suggest The Intellectual take me there tomorrow!)

Singledom so far has not been too bad then. Of course I've upped my golf a bit (which reminds me, I'm due a lesson with Gorgeous H soon).

And honestly, I will get round to doing the nominations, but it's going to have to be next week. Keep watching :)

Come in No.41, your time is up

Right, I have the sofa, the DVD and the wine... and tonight I'm about to do the whole 'perfect date'.

There's just one problem... neither No.41, or the guy from the 'not a date, honestly' golf game this afternoon really did it for me!

That's it! You can't say I haven't tried, but it's just not happening!

Last night with No.41. He was actually a really nice guy. I can't even pick out any minor faults with him at all... just not really my type. It kind of shows just how easily I get wooed by words. His emails were fantastic... intelligent, witty, slightly flirty. On screen the perfect guy.

But after an evening hyping myself with espressos (he's teetotal) I realised our personalities are too different. When I'm out I want belly laughs and fun. It was a little too 'studious' for me. I like splashes of inane banter, not constant thought provoking questions.

So, off the list (the last one!)

Still not disheartened I headed off for my 'not a date, honestly' golf game. I've never met this guy, so didn't know what he was going to look like. He'd described himself as blonde, and I knew he was in his early thirties. So *obviously* that meant he was a Brad Pitt lookalike... surely?

Well, no. More like a Pitbull lookalike! With no personality at all. And the strangest and most disturbing thing was he seemed to talk in the 'third person' all the time.

Scary... very scary.

So I guess that's it for me. I will do the awards (I promise!). But right now I've a bottle of red and Bridget Jones to watch!

It's happened!

What, I hear you ask... have I found love? Did I take one glance at No.41 and decide instantly he was the man of my dreams? Am I about to embark on a life of coupledom, with DVDs and bottles of red strewn about the place with carefree lustful abandonment?

Well, no... my subscription has ended. That's what's happened!

No more winks, and no more slaving over a hot laptop trying to come up with endless thoughtful, and witty replies to a bunch of completely unsuitable Potentials! Strangely enough the same laptop keeled over and died, possibly at the precise moment my subscription ended.

Did it sense the impending neglect?

Anyway... where does that leave me on the dating front??

Well, first we have the latest Potential. Last time I told you about a *possible* 'Face to Face' (No.41) with him last night... so what happened? A bunch of us went along to this gig where he was going to be working. Knowing he was going to be pretty much by the front door I did a kind of stealth/sniper entrance (I wanted to suss him out before he saw me!). Once safely into the gig it want time to send out an advance party to check him out!

So two of my friends went out and kind of sauntered past where he would be to check him out (I say sauntered past. Apparently what happened is more along the lines of two hyped up meerekats more or less stalked the area ... one of them actually shouting his name before running away. Nice style ladies!)

The verdict... "There are three guys out there, and we hope to god it's the one we think it is!" I'm now obviously intrigued, but the band have come on, which means everyone is inside. If I go out there I'm not going to be able to 'blend' into the background quite as easily as the others did!

So, I just kind of peeked through a gap in the door. They were right... there were three guys, two of which could have more than easily have been featured on America's most wanted. Thankfully my potential looked fine from the two centimeter gap in the door!

What now... do I go over and introduce myself, or do I just casually walk by and hope he spots me! One of my friends thought it was quite funny that I'd 'gone a bit shy' (her words, not mine!). Me... shy!

Right, deep breath. I'm not a bloody teenager, so I went and introduced myself! What a nice guy!! We only had a chat for about 10 minutes, but I can tell you he has lovely eyes!

I'm not counting a little chat as a 'Face to Face', so that's still to come. But it is going to happen! I had a very sweet email off him this morning, pointing out how nice I looked last night (I won't tell him how much thought I actually took in trying to pull of the casual, naturally attractive look!), and when am I free to join him (for coffee, not life!)

So we're meeting tomorrow night!

Oh, I have to share my last email from the dating site, before they booted me out:

"love the legs - and the rest nice to. im on msn if you up 4 chat and to see my legs".

I'm really going to miss those little gems :)

Only 48 hours to go!

Seriously, that's how long I've got left on the site. My god they try anything to keep you hooked... daily emails letting me know what I'm going to be missing, selections of profiles *way* more attractive than normal. Date pushers, that's what they are!

Now, last time I updated this I'd chosen Option 4 (The Triathlete) for my weekend fun, and hinted at a brand new Potential I'd started a bit of 'Mutual Contact' with. Prompted by comments on my last post (Icouldhavebeenacontender.... who *are* you?), I feel obliged to update you all.

First, the weekend. Now, he may have a body you so want to wake up to every morning, but you know, I *just* couldn't muster up enough enthusiasm for a weekend with The Triathlete. Why... well, it would have got in the way of my golf plans!

I know... Gorgeous, attentive Guy, or frustrating game. In my usual style I went for golf instead! I would've squeezed him in around games, but it seemed a little unfair to drag him all the way down here . He does want to come down this Friday though... so I haven't *quite* closed the door on him just yet!

Now, the new Potential. This guy is fantastic. Every single one of his emails has me reaching for both a dictionary and the encyclopaedia. It was one of the few times I've actually instigated the first contact, but his profile was so interesting I couldn't resist.

Topics of conversation in the first few days: jam, pigeons, industrial porn(?), composers, knicker styles, embarrassing itches, TLA scrabble, Islam, water bombs, chips, Fothering's reductive (yep... needed Wikipedia for that one!), txt spk. All seemed to be injected with a hint of humour.

It's been email flirting at it's best (but a *little* bit taxing for my mind). We had kind of arranged to bump into each other tonight (at a gig)... that was until I realised (or rather, was told) that I'd got the day mixed up, and I'm actually going to the gig TOMORROW.

No problem... he's going to be there too, which gives me 24 extra hours to get ready!

'Face to Face' 41 then. And there was me, all prepared to give up at No.37.

JP pointed out to me if I get to 42 then I've found the meaning of life. It's technically still possible, because I've also had an email of The Twin, who wants to take me out to dinner!!

I'm going to have to tell you later in the week about a golf match I've arranged for the weekend, with a guy from a golf society I've joined (hey... I'm leaving the dating site, so needed to do something). My Old Friend pointed out last night this game was starting to look suspiciously like a date. I've booked a mid afternoon tee off, which should get us in just in time for drinks/dinner. And our last couple of emails *have* gone off the topic of golf... ever so slightly!!

What can I say :)

I chose shoes

I didn’t actually give ‘Face to Face’ No.40 a name did I. I think I’ll call him ‘The Unreliable Hypochondriac with a Grudge Potential’.

Why?

Well, after Tuesdays comedy date, I quickly realised there is no way I could see me going *anywhere* with him (he’d probably get lost anyway). So, as I’m generally a polite kind of person I sent him a ‘thanks, but no thanks’ email. My god he took it badly! He wants feedback!! It wasn’t a bloody interview, so I don’t think I really need to.

I’ve still resisted the temptation to sign up to the ‘Upper Crust’ site (and as the title suggested, now have another pair of very ditzy shoes instead). And I’ve officially cancelled my original one too. But that site is quite sneaky too, and let me know they’d leave my profile there for 7 more days, just in case!

I’ve been there a year… I seriously doubt my Soulmate is going to spring from the woodwork now! I mean, what are the odds of that happening!

My leaving the site must have sent out vibes to a couple of ex Potentials though, as yesterday I had text’s off both The Whistler (yuck), *and* Outdoorsy Guy (yum). The Whistler wanted to know how my swing was coming along, and Outdoorsy Guy wanted to know if I fancied a drink sometime (he’s obviously worked his way through some Potentials, and is bored!)

I did send him a text back… maybe next week!

Can’t this week though, as I’ve already got a couple of dates planned!

I’m out tonight with the Ever So Challenging Sales Guy… tapas and wine! Yes he’s arrogant, and yes I don’t see us going anywhere… but a night out is bound to be interesting (as long as I keep my wits about me!)

And the weekend… well, I had oodles of choices for this weekend…

Option 1 - My End of Dating Party. This will have to be postponed for a week, but I blame the dating site for giving me an extra time on their site.
Option 2 - My neighbours flat warming party. This is actually a fairly swanky affair, with cocktails and a Sinatra style singer in our garden?!?
Option 3 – A boat show with the Ever So Challenging Sales Guy

Or

Option 4 – a weekend with The Triathlete (and his washboard stomach!!)

So I’m going for Option 4 (if you remember my thoughts did drift off to his six pack on the date with ‘The Unreliable Hypochondriac with a Grudge’ the other night). So… two nights with The Triathlete, and we’re going to the beach!!

There’s one fly in the ointment though… he’s given up alcohol. His very demanding training schedule doesn’t allow any vices (well, I may need to clarify that!), so curling up with a bottle of red is not going to be on the agenda!

I may be able to sneak out to my neighbours for a cocktail though if I get desperate

I’m going to have to fill my boots tonight then :)

Ooh… and lastly, if I remember, I must tell you all about a brand new Potential sometime!

A new award

Well, first of all, you'll be pleased to know that so far I've resisted the temptation of the 'honey trap', and not parted with any more cash in my quest to find the man of my dreams!

I did get as far as taking my card out of my purse, and even getting as far as typing in my discount code. Shame on the 'Upper Crust' site... they surely know that 99.9% of girls can't resist a bargain, and with our occasional mixed up logic, only see the first part of 'Save 10%'... completely missing the fact what they should be saying is *SPEND* 90%.

But I'm made of stronger stuff (or more to the point, I've realised the 90% could be used on a pair of shoes that are almost guaranteed to last longer than *any* of my Potentials ever have).

Plus... do I really want to spend another night with an unsuitable guy!

The Big 40 was tonight... and could well go down as yet another one of those comedy dates that's worthy of an award. The award in this case being 'Date most likely to frustrate the hell out of you for *so* many different reasons'.

Why?

Reason 1 - he was late. Now, I know he was coming over from Bristol, but still, how hard is it to plan what time you need to set off if you have to be in a certain place at a certain time?? He did text to say he was going to be 10 minutes late (but by then I was in the middle of getting ready, and in my usual style I didn't see his text). But he was more than 10 minutes late.

Why?

Reason 2 - he got lost. I get lost *all* the time, but armed with the knowledge I find A to B a little difficult (without meandering past C, D and sometimes even Q), I prepare myself. If that means a series of Post It's on the steering wheel, or a convoluted set of instructions in my head I do it. And seriously, my area is so well signposted they even have it in two different languages! At least he had the balls to call to say he was lost, so I could give him directions!

But in the spirit of dating I *try* not to judge too early on, so cast aside his early incompetence... maybe he was nervous, and so hadn't really thought the journey through! And hey, he had made the effort to meet, so be nice!

Two blips so far... but on with the date. He was actually a fairly interesting guy, and we had a fair bit in common (apart from his punctuality and sense of direction). After our coffee we decided to go for some tapas...

Here comes Reason 3 - I seriously defy anyone to pour over a tapas menu and struggle to choose food. This Guy initially said the only thing he wasn't keen on was anchovies (fair enough... I struggle to get enthralled by them). What he meant was, he wasn't keen on most seafood, red meat, vegetables, spices... oh and garlic. Can you see how the choices were starting to be more and more limited by the minute?

So, after ordering some bread and olives (not the stuffed ones though... you can't be too sure what's stuffed inside them you know), we carried on with the date.

It was still going *fairly* well (although I did make a mental note he was never going to be the best person to send out for a takeaway in a strange town), until all of a sudden he started blinking furiously and complaining about the light.

The guy was getting a migraine!

Christ almighty (and Reason 4)... a guy complaining of a headache, this early on in a relationship. Not a good sign! At this point I suggested we get the bill, and he toddle off home. One part of me was concerned he was struggling to see, and that combined with his poor sense of direction could well have him driving around in circles until the early hours. Another part of me is thinking this must *surely* be a standard get out clause for a bad date, so a least I could put him out of his misery by calling it a night!!

So we said our goodbyes... all the time he was proclaiming how embarrassed he was, and reassuring me he did want to see me again. Strangely by this point my mind was wandering to thoughts of The Triathlete's washboard stomach :/

Life certainly didn't begin at 40 for me!

So I have a bit of a dilemma now... shoes or Potentials??

You know me!

First of all, apologies for the delay in getting the nominations out. To be fair I’ve had such a giggle reading back through the year it’s confused me slightly. I mean, the number of Potentials eligible for the ‘Potential I wouldn't sleep with if they were the last man on earth’ category alone is just mind boggling!

But there has been another reason for the delay. I think last time I updated this The Triathlete was my current (and 38th) chance at love. Well, tomorrow I’m going out on my 40th ‘Face to Face’!

I know… maybe I was a bit premature with this whole ‘I’m given up dating’ thing. Much like a drug addict, it’s actually not that easy to go cold turkey. But I only went back on the site once… honestly (and as my power drinking colleague is on hols he won’t know I’ve failed the challenge, and so I *may* still get my prize!)

So loads for me to write, and you to catch up on! Where did I leave it last time?

Firstly… the blossoming romance with The Trialthlete. Well, I guess you won’t be totally surprised if I tell you we’ve had three dates (and one sweet bouquet of flowers). You also won’t be totally surprised if I tell you I can’t really see it going anywhere! Don’t get me wrong, he’s sexy as hell, with a six pack you could wash clothes on… but not really on my wavelength, and a couple of times he’s remarked on how difficult it is to get hold of me!

MY PHONE WAS OFF!!! When will these guys understand… golf and mobiles don’t mix! It’s not my rule (although, I have to say, it’s a good one). Last weekend all about golf for me. I went along to a major golf tournament (thank you Ex SysAdmin Honey for the pass!). I’m pretty sure Monty would’ve had something to say if I’d been idly chatting to a Potential at the 18th (no matter how sexy that Potential may be).

And then my own Open the following day. There’s not really an appropriate time to text sweet nothings when I’m trying my best to look not only cute, but a credible golfer too (I *think* I pulled the first off… not sure about the credible golfer part though)

Anyway, enough of The Triathlete… where the hell have 39 and 40 come from??

Number 39 is actually a friend of a friend. This kind friend suggested me and a friend of his hook up together (bless… he knew a couple of weeks away from dating was going to have me climbing the walls, craving attention!). So, what’s Friend of Friend like? Well, he’s fairly intelligent (a plus), but he’s a sales guy through and through! Not in itself a bad thing, but having previously had a fairly intense relationship with someone in this field has left me wise to the type of arrogance that can bring with it. And believe me, the guy has buckets full of it!

Don’t get me wrong… I actually like confident guys (more than I like needy insipid mindless wimps!), but when confidence crosses over into arrogance it can be a bit *too* much like hard work. We actually had a very good date, partly because we both seemed to end up playing each other! But staying one step ahead of someone who’s trying to stay one step ahead of me will be exhausting!

He’s invited me to some boat show at the weekend (more on the weekend later… I told you this would be a long one!)

And what about tomorrows date. The big 40… where has he sprung from??

If you remember I said that I slipped up on my vow of abstinence, and snuck back on the dating site (just looking, honeslty!). Well, I got a wink off this guy from Bristol, who has the funniest, most sarcastic profile I’ve seen to date. He’s gone for that ‘I’m so tired of this whole dating scene, so save me’ type profile. I’m not sure I’m the best person to convince him otherwise, but his emails are so funny I can’t resist meeting him! So I’m off for a coffee with him tomorrow night. Strangely in the same place I met my first ever Face to Face. Full circle eh?

And as I’m ‘kind of’ back dating, I may as well come clean about my latest venture. As you know, I’m officially off the dating site at the weekend (ooh… remind me to fill you in on my weekend options!). Well, the other night I ‘came across’ a dating site, run by a ‘quality’ newspaper. So I had a little look around, and noticed it was free to sign up.

So, I’ve put my profile on there!! The same profile, but to a new crowd (I say new… I’ve spotted The Teacher on there already, and The Law Prof spotted me today!). I’m interested in seeing if generally the guys there are more intelligent and fulfilling. I’m tired of one liners and text speak.

Interesting site though. Like a lot of sites it’s free to register, and as soon as your profile is public you get messages off your ‘Fans’ (there’s no winking on this site… if you like the look of someone you become a Fan of theirs. And as a Leo the thought of having an official fanbase is quite alluring!).

I’ve got a couple of Fans already, one of which I liked the look of, so I’m a Fan of his too (to get into the swing of it). Tonight I got a message off him, and yes, he Seems Nice (tm) . But to email him back I need to subscribe (i.e. pay!).

And while the mildly cynical side of me thinks this is a kind of honey trap, set up by the site to lure money out of you, the other frivolous side is edging towards my credit card!

Nominations please

I’ve had a couple of emails this week about ending this blog. Some of you want me to carry on dating, just for the sheer entertainment value (sadists), some of you thing I should publicise my potential blossoming romance with The Triathlete (voyeurs), and some of you think occasional snippets of my life are entertaining/stupid enough to make you smile (or just save you the bother of keeping in touch!).

One thing I thought I really should do is a kind of award ceremony, to honour those Potentials who left ‘some’ kind of impression on me.

First I need to work out some categories. Let me think…


hmmmmm...


Ok, I’m done thinking! The Categories are:

Funniest Potential
Sexiest Potential
Potential I wouldn't sleep with if they were the last man on earth
Scariest Potential
Dullest Potential
Most Intense Potential
Most Intriguing Potential
Most Confusing Potential
Most Annoying Potential
Best Date
Worst Date
Strangest Date

Obviously there has to be a Lifetime Achievement Award, given to the Potential who has put in the most effort, but to be honest I think I deserve that more than anyone!!

The ceremony will take place in a week, so if any of them have stuck in your mind at all, then let me know, and I will carefully consider your nominations!

Would you believe it

It's less than a month until the end of my online dating experiment... and I've signed off, early!!

Why? Well, there's been a series of events this week that have made me realise I just can't carry on at the rate I'm going. The Teacher kind of slanted at it a couple of weeks ago, when he said I spread myself too thinly.

Work has taken a step up (or rather a jump), and with The Voice of Reason to occasionally look after, and oodles of golf to play I've realised he's right. I just can't do it anymore!

And besides, I've been given a challenge to stop dating for 6 months by my power drinking colleague. In another drunken night (sometime last week, but I can't for the life of me work out what day) he set me this challenge (and you know me, I can't resist a bet).

Apparently there's a prize at the end?!?

However... I can't possibly end this year of strange and fun times without a happy ending, can I?

I met The Triathlete yesterday. I know I haven't kept you up to date, so here's the full story.

I think I mentioned I was thinking of meeting him earlier in the week, but ducked out in favour of guaranteed giggles, alcohol and challenges. So he offered to come down yesterday (200 miles remember). SO, I thought 'what the hell'. After all, this is my last 'Face to Face', how bad can it be?

Well, not bad at all if you really must know. He turned up on time, and stone me he was bloody sexy as hell! And fit too! So, we spent a fantastic afternoon strolling about (obviously stopping for various refreshments, alfresco style!).

There was a funny moment when I bumped into one of my beloved nieces. She stared at him, bemused, before pointing and saying 'Who's this' (I'm going to have to pop there later to get her verdict!).

Then an evening of tapas, and a couple of glasses of wine. And a lot of chat. Interestingly, most of the Potentials I've dated have always told me I come across as guarded, or vague. But not The Triathlete. He thought I was quite open :)

Has the Ice Queen melted... finally after almost a year I've met someone I don't feel the need to be on my guard with.

He's gone back today to the other side of the country, but we're kind of making arrangements to meet again, soon (As always I have the work/family/golf juggle going on).

So the end of my dating life (for now). I've logged onto the site to take my profile off. It feels a bit like cutting a lifeline, but I honestly can't do it anymore.

I'll keep you posted about The Triathlete (and there are a couple of other Potentials I'm still in contact with)... but this could well be a goodbye from me moment :(

Bunker Babe?

The golf society... now this is turning out to be a very productive way of meeting new guys. I've now got TWO games lined up for the next couple of weekends!

It's pretty cool really. They even have their profiles on the golfing site, so I get a sneaky peek at their credentials, and at least I know they're serious golfers.

To be honest, it's a good job, as my time seems to be getting more and more limited by the minute. I've worked out this week I'm not going to have any potential dating action until Sunday!!!

Sunday... that's *technically* next week :(

Although saying that, being away with work towards the end of the week does throw in a possible 'Face to Face' with The Triathlete! I'm going to be in his area for a couple of nights, so he's asked if I want to meet for dinner?

Well, it's possible, although I have kind of promised one of my colleagues I'll pop out for a drink, and knowing how funny he is after just a couple of sups, it seems like a safer option.

At least I'll be pretty much guaranteed a giggle!

Oops, I did it again

Hmmmm... How many times am I going to be wrong about Potentials!

The Charity Worker. Earlier today I'm extolling his virtues. Intelligent (I said) and interesting (I said). What he didn't really give away during our 'Mutual Contact' was the 'issues' he with women, in so many ways!! Issues with his ex, and issues with his (female) boss, as well as issues with single mothers (although he did try and rationalise that a little by excluding me from his rant!)

Oh dear :(

He told me I made him feel nervous too, which I found quite funny. What is it with these grown men that makes them feel so uncomfortable? I really don't get it sometimes. If you sign up to a dating site, surely you've got to mentally prepare yourself a little. Unless all you want is to hide behind a stream of emails, chances are you're going to meet someone 'Face to Face'.

I'm going to have to start setting some kinds of psychometric tests, so I can get a better picture of who I'm dealing with!

charity begins at home

Thank you 'Friend from Work'!

Yes... Friday night The Teacher did indeed turn up, complete with a tux and a bag full of boisterousness! He is a interesting guy, and like my Friend from Work put it, someone who is willing to challenge me a little!

No next date planned though (yet!)

Anyway, I do have some new date news! I have a 'Face to Face' (No. 37) this evening with a new Potential!

I don't think I've actually mentioned this guy at all yet. I've been enjoying a little bit of fairly intelligent 'Mutual Contact' with this guy for about a week, and he's asked me to join him for a drink tonight.

He 'Seems Nice' (tm) . Works for some charity in a kind of PR role, so I'm hoping he's as interesting in real life as he is by email, but hey... I've been wrong about that so many times! I've no idea what he looks like, so this is a blind date for me!

As it's my last month on the dating site, I've decided I should try and maximise my chances of finding love, and date as many Potentials as I can. Difficult with my limited time, but I think I just need to get a bit for creative with the kind of dates I'm having (I'm sure I could squeeze in a couple of breakfast dates!).

Ooh, and talking of being creative, I recently joined a golf society (to find golf partners, not 'love' partners). I got an email off a guy the other day inviting me to play a round in a couple of weeks. I've suddenly thought that this society *could* be the perfect way for me to meet someone who isn't going to get annoyed with me when I want to play golf!!

Fab :)

Your favourite guest blogger is back....

Good evening from 'Friend from Work' guest blogging for my dear Ms Jones. What a fricking day. To spare you all the stupid details, suffice to say that it was a bit crap. Poor Ms Jones and her kind natured soul.

But on to more happy times. Five thirty rolled around and it was time to go to the pub. It took a little arm twisting but we all made it. It was a good exercize considering it reminded us all that we actually like eachother as people and there is more to us than our job titles.

But enough about that. Lets talk about this Teacher bloke. I show up to Ms Jones place at approximately 2:30 am and the teacher arrives shortly there after. What do I observe you might ask? Flirting, banter, intellegent conversation and what appears to be a mutual respect. I also sneak a peak at some physical affection (just a hug or two for you dirty minded readers). It is nice to see someone who seems to understand the normal boundaries and still be willing to test them a little. Thats what this girl needs, someone who gets her but is willing to challenge her a little, even despite his testeronical exuberance that makes her so insane.

This teacher is prancing around her flat in his tuxedo from a previous black tie event making me feel a bit like a loser for not being in a formal gown. But alas, loser or no, I am fricking awesome. He has just read this over my shoulder and im not sure how I feel about that but its all good.

With reference to a conversation the three of us were having earlier, the words ' post coital' came up and I decided that those words must appear in this blog. So there you go. Post coital.

That is all.

Date drought

Bloody hell... so far it's been a date free week!

Don't worry too much, I've still been able to get my quota of alcohol, only it's been with real people! My nieces kind of summed me up last night, while I was enjoying a (long awaited) tea with my Bruv and his beautiful family. I was offered a glass of wine, which I turned down (I was still nursing a hangover from the night before). At that point my two nieces gasped... shocked to the core!

It was enough to make me change my mind and have 'just the one'!

So, what's been happening (date wise) this week?

The Triathlete has been in touch fairly regularly, almost to the point of boring me. You know me, I'm not a big fan of the 'how was your day' back and forth. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I'm not interested, it just seems a little routine(ish) to be doing that sort of chat so soon.

I want to find out more about a person... what makes them tick; what makes them cry. Not what time they got up, and had for breakfast!

The Teacher... very cool on the communication front. The odd text, or undemanding Skype comment. We're possibly meeting up tomorrow night, so a potential 4th (or is it 5th) date. It will be quite funny if we do actually get together, because I'm out with the guys from the office, and he's on some kind of black tie function.

It could well be disastrous... I'm out with people, some of which think the government recommended level of alcohol is per day, not per week. And as I'm so easily led it's going to be difficult not to keep up!

So we're just going to suck it and see tomorrow.

Right, other Potentials:

The Football Fan. He winked at me again the other night. I think it was yet another taunt, what with his team beating mine in the league. I gave him a stern telling off for being so insensitive!

The Scotsman. This is a new Potential, who I've been having a little bit of 'Mutual Contact' with for a week or so. We've decided if our paths ever cross we're going to get married, and run away somewhere warm (although as a Scotsman is his book that means Devon!)

The Thinker. He's another new one. I've called him The Thinker because it's taken him three days of umming and aahing to think of something trivial about himself (I sometimes ask Potentials for a trivial fact... just to see what they can come up with).

THREE DAYS... I could've written a book on trivial facts about me in that time!

It's not so bad

Being single, that is! It it struck me yesterday was my anniversary... one whole year of semi independent singledom!!

Bloody hell... time flies when you're having fun (I'm sure I can put together a whole host of cliches here!).

I won't dwell too much on past times, but this year has been phenomenal in terms of how well I've got back on track (to what, I don't know yet). I have to say a huge thanks to loads of really important people;

Voice of Reason. He may roll his eyes, and I'm sure I frustrate him at times, but his sense of humour and support is always there

My family (especially my Bruv). For keeping me fed, and persuading me to subscribe to online dating in the first place.

My friends. Some of you put yourself in a scary situation to help me out, and that is really special. And thanks for not judging, or steaming in with guns blazing.

My Ex. Now before you all start thinking I've finally lost the plot, in a way I do appreciate what he did. It gave me an insight into a situation I never thought I'd be in, and knowing I'm able to see it as a positive is fantastic. Sometimes you need the lows to get the highs!

As Ronan said, life is a rollercoaster :)

Detention anyone?

The Teacher showed a little hint of 'stroppiness' yesterday! Admittedly it was my fault (sometimes my organisational skills leave a little bit to be desired).

My mother picked me up for the Captains Drive yesterday (she's such a sweetie... she knew there would be free drinks on offer, and as she's keen for me to 'fully integrate' with the golfing fraternity thought taxi duties would be in order!).

It was only in the car my mother mentioned the dinner and presentation that went on AFTER the golf. What!!! I've got a bloody date at 8 o'clock! There's no way in hell I'll get back in time for that!

Bugger!

So, having to make a snap decision I sent The Teacher a text to let him know. His response... a pretty curt reply, more or less pinning me down to choose; golf or him!!!

I chose golf!

As nice as he is, golf is a lot simpler, and doesn't make you feel guilty. So, as the date was cast aside I thought I way as well make the most of a good day, and actually did very well (possibly helped by the two glasses of punch I had before the game!).

Funny moment at the club. As you know, apart from Gorgeous H, most of the guys are 'more mature' (there was actually a moment at the dinner afterwards where they were talking about free bus passes!). Anyway, this rather attractive guy turns up at the start, saunters over, and introduces himself!

Hello... has my luck finally changed at the club?? Am I playing with him??

No, I wasn't. He was playing with my mother!!! How unfair. I get paired up with a rather lecherous 'more mature' gentleman, she gets sex on legs :/

So on with the match. I sneakily took my phone with me (two reasons... The Triathlete and The Teacher). I know it's a complete no no on the course, but I *did* have it on silent! Halfway round I checked it, and surprise surprise there's a message of The Teacher!

Seems he had calmed down, and was up for rearranging the evening a little. So we agreed to meet a bit later!

Mind you, when he turned up, boy was I told off! Sheer frustration on his part. He thinks I spread myself too thinly, and don't I understand how annoying that is to others? I was half expecting him to dole out some corporal punishment for my bad behaviour!

However, once the lecture was over we did have extremely good fun. He was saved from cooking the bizarre mix of ingredients I'd cobbled together (Voice of Reason is currently refusing to have *anything* to do with a courgette!). And technically I've had 4 dates with him, as I popped to his place this morning for a coffee :)

Now onto today, and The Triathlete. He was all set for a 200 mile trip to take me to lunch, but I decided yesterday to cancel (I know, I'm just so indecisive!). Only because it seemed a little insane of him to be prepared to travel so far (although, with hindsight I could've rustled him something with the courgettes!).

Instead we've been chatting on the phone for a couple of hours, and have 'loosely' arranged to meet for a weekend towards the end of the month! Face to Face No.37. All we need to decide is where?

I think I should do the decent thing, and at least meet him halfway.

I'm back

Firstly... apologies to you guys who've complained I haven't updated this, but it has only been three days! I haven't dropped off the online dating circus *just* yet!!

So, as I'm still very much part of it, what's happening??

Today has been totally date free. I spent my regular 3 hours getting my angel curls tamed (which have been astonishingly abused since I've got that bloody bike!).

Taking of that bloody bike... I fixed it myself. Neither I, nor Voice of Reason were prepared to be totally humiliated by taking it back, so I took it apart, and (after a couple of attempts) put it back together the right way!

But you're not here to read the Beginners Guide to Bike Maintenance, so on with the dating news!

I've a couple of busy days coming up (as usual). First I'll have the pleasure of (hopefully) Gorgeous H tomorrow at The Captains Drive. Don't worry, I'm not sneaking off for a meeting with him on someone's tarmac... it's a golf competition!! Apparently I'm going to be saved my usual first tee nerves this time. I'm playing with a gentleman, and he gets the honour (if only it was going to be Gorgeous H... I've a feeling it may well be one of the 'older' gentlemen!).

Still, I'll wear the 'Oh So Cute' golf skirt, just in case!

Tomorrow evening it's my 3rd date with the Teacher! After a bit of on/off (he seems as busy as me) it looks like we've got a time sorted. He's going to cook, at mine (sensible chap). But get this... I've got to supply the ingredients!

That's going to make for an 'interesting' meal, as a quick rummage through my kitchen has so far only produced fish fingers, tinned pears and some porridge... tasty :)

Then Monday. Now is this fairly interesting, but a bit insane. The Triathlete wants to take me out for lunch. Nothing unusual in that you may thing. Well, no... but he lives over two hundred miles away!!

Seriously, he's at the other end of the country, and is all geared up to drive here, take me to lunch, then drive back!

Should I tell him I've managed to fix the bike?

Option 3

I got a wink of a guy today who had cycling down as one of his hobbies. Well, more than cycling... triathlons.

Super fit, and handy with a spanner no doubt!

So we've started a bit of 'Mutual Contact'. I don't think I'll tell him about my bike problem just yet though. I don't want him to get the impression I'm some sort of dunce!

One thing I did find a little strange about him was the way he signed his emails. Now, I send a squillion emails a day (work related, honestly!), and most of end with "kind regards". To be honest half of me doesn't even know why I do it... I guess it's polite. But I never use it for personal emails.

The Triathlete did... how odd :/

Ooh... got a text off The Teacher too today. It looks like we're on for the 'testing' 3rd date at the weekend! Why testing?

You know me... getting past 3rd date is some kind of achievement :)

I want to ride my bicycle

This is not strictly related to dating, but is so typically me I thought I'd share!

My bike... you may remember last weekend I bought a bike. An impulse buy (I had romantic visions of me cycling down country lanes, in a floaty little number, angel curls being teased gently by the breeze). Well, so far it hasn't *quite* panned out as I'd imagined.

It came in a box... in bits. The guy who sold it to me said they're relatively simple to put together, so I thought being a 'fairly' intelligent person I should be able to manage it myself.

So I spend last Sunday morning wrestling with various bits of metal, cables and rubber. It only took an hour to do. Even though I couldn't work out how to get the back brake from being stuck on (I thought the extra effort cycling would help in my eternal quest for a Kylie-esque bum!) it all seemed to be in working order.

I've now been riding this bike about the place for a week, and OK, my little vision is *slightly* different in reality;

There isn't a country lane for miles, and the stuck brake kind of limits the distance I can go before complete and utter exhaustion sets in.

Floaty little number... on a bike? What was I thinking!

My angel curls are not really being teased by the breeze. What actually happens is the wind frizzes it into some kind of Christle Tips affair, and various little bugs seem to get trapped in it!

(The Kylie-esque bum is coming along nicely though, so it's not all bad!)

I *have* been a little mystified by why the bike seems to veer quite sharply every time I turn, my foot scraping against the front wheel, causing me to lose my balance... but I put that down to the fact I haven't ridden a bike for about 15 years.

Anyway, yesterday on my way back from a meeting I parked the car, and proudly showed one of my colleagues my shiny new little number. Immediately he starts guffawing and shaking his head in disbelief, and takes a quick snapshot! Why? What on earth's wrong?

I've only put the front forks on BACKWARDS!

I must've had the instructions upside down! I know by now the photo has done the rounds of the office, and will possibly be emailing it's way around, in a Darwin Award style way :(

So I have a couple of choices;

Option 1 - take the bike apart again, and try to work out how to put it back the right way (but in my typical minimalist style I've thrown the instructions away)

Option 2 - take the bike back to the shop, act stupid and ask if they can make it right (I say *act* stupid... in this case I don't really think I need to act at all). My colleague has pointed out if I do this I should fully expect to be made a laughing stock, and Voice of Reason has refused point blank to suffer that humiliation with me, so I'm on my own.

Option 3 - find a new Potential who lists cycling as one of their hobbies, and see if they can help me out!

Layed back Ladie?

The Curly Wurlys may well have been a sweetener, to soften the blow of seriously hindering any impending dates on my love horizon. The Teacher and I were on for a 3rd date tomorrow, but 'due to circumstances beyond my control' I've had to postpone it :(

But the plus side is when I get messages like this one: "your a real nice ladie nows what she wonts in life" off The Whistler, I don't feel guilty about saving my fingers from needlessly texting back.

Or when I get winks of guys who say they're "very layd back and averythig have to be easy" I know the limited time I have is going to stop me even thinking about replying!

I can be a pedantic little minx (and many times you guys have picked up on my own grammatical errors), but really... don't these guys think for a minute BEFORE they press send!

Anyway, back to my dating dilemma. I've got one night free this week (and a possible couple of hours tomorrow), so I have to choose wisely. The Teacher actually had a very interesting date planned... maybe he'll switch nights!

And there I was hoping to maximise my dating possibilities during the remaining 6 weeks on the dating site, only to find I now have to be selective... a whole new experience for me :)

Yuck/yum

First the Yuck... The Whistler wants to meet up again. He was obviously too thick to pick up the 'I'm not at all impressed with you' vibe I thought I was giving (bolting out of the car at a rate of knots without stopping to say goodbye wasn't a clear sign??).

I've sent him a text to let him know I'm incredibly busy with work the next few weeks (which is actually not even a lie!).

Now the Yum. Well, there's two Yums really! First, thank you to my wonderful place of work for the surprise today. A parcel arrived for me this morning, which I was *very* nervous about opening (I sometimes have this fear that a Potential will send an embarrassing gift!). No need to worry... it was a box of Curly Wurlys.

WOW... 60 Curly Wurlys!

The guys know my passion for Curly Wurlys could actually drive me to kill a small child at times! I was tempted to eat them all there and then, but it's much better to savour these delicious little moments. Guys... if you eat them all tomorrow while I'm out I will be again tempted to murder, only this time it won't be small children, it will be you lot!

And the second Yum... The Teacher sent a text! He wants to meet again. A third date ;)

Vroom vroom

The Whistler... I'm changing him to The Boy Racer (aka complete twat!).

Seriously, this guy was a complete and utter knuckle scraper. I'm still lost for words on how much of a waste of time he was.

Firstly he needed about twenty texts worth of directions to find my place. That doesn't bode well. I mean, it's a big building in a big street... if you need that much instruction to find somewhere, what does that say about you?

So, when he finally gets here, one of his first comments was on the quality of my clubs. OK, they're not Pings, but they work.

Not a good start :(

I'm now sitting in a (souped up) crap car with a neanderthal who some some reason can't look me in the eye, and has only been able to criticise me because I (his words) 'can't afford the best'!

Despise my urge to bail out (I couldn't... my crap clubs were in his boot) we carried on to the range. That's where the fun started.

As I've said, I can actually swing a club, so when I lined myself up I imagined his squat retarded little head was the ball and swung my little heart out. Wallop!!!

Beautiful shot! His reaction was priceless... 'F***ing hell, you've got power, for a babe'.

Sweet :)

You can safely assume we skipped tea. I picked up Voice of Reason early, and played at being guitar hero's instead.

Online dating... swings and roundabouts.

All change

Last night's date was pretty good fun! When I said yesterday I would finally get to see a Potential's abode (not bod!), I actually got to see both!

WHAT!!!

Now before you all call me a floozie, it was *somewhat* accidental. He was running late, and so when I called he was still in the shower. He ran down the stairs leaving a trail of wet footprints... his modesty covered by only a towel!

Hmmm... knicker twangingly nice (oh, and his place wasn't bad either!)

He can cook too (I should've taken along The Artist's gold stars, as well as The Dentist's champagne!). He rustled up a decent offering (cod and prawn), which we washed down with the freebie Veuve Clicquot.

I quite like this guy, mainly because he has a very open attitude to dating, and doesn't seem to have issues with me dating other Potentials. And it was pretty good to talk about each others dating nightmares!

Him shouting 'so... where do you see us going' as I left I *think* was in jest :)

Now, other Potentials

I had a late lunch arranged today, with The Poulter Wannabe, but he cried off (manflu). But me being me, I've used the window of opportunity to meet The Whistler. So in a couple of hours I've got another range/tea date (he's keen to help me with my swing).

What is it with these guys... I *know* how to swing a club!! Gorgeous H is not only there for me to drool over you know. He's actually taught me a thing or two about golf, and has high hopes for me (likewise honey, likewise!)

Anyway, the sun is out, so I'm up for a couple of hours of flirty fun with the dut. Now... what to wear??

The 'oh so cute' golf skirt has got to be the obvious choice :)

Out of the woodwork

Firstly, mum... put the hat back in the wardrobe. The Whistler was only sending me a pic of him dressed up for his sister's wedding! Thank the lord!

Now how's this for a blast from my (online dating) past... Sweet Guy. Out of the blue I've got an email off him today. He seemed keen to let me know life was great for him, and was I still enjoying myself??

Then, did I want to meet for a drink. I've generally got a rule of no going back. There are one or two exceptions, but normally it would be too complicated, and I distinctly remember Sweet Guy being *way* too intense.

So no, but thanks anyway!

Tonight's plans have been formed. I'm actually going to The Teachers place. Strangely enough I've realised that in my entire online dating time I've never been to any of my Potentials homes. In some cases I think it may have had something to to with them still living with their parents (or in one case, wife), but some of them did live alone... so why no invite??

So The Teachers place it is. He's going to cook, and I'm going to take along champagne, courtesy of The Dentist (I know, that's a little bit naughty, but it seems a shame to drink it alone!)

I'm really quite excited about this... I think it's the chance to see more than just one bit of a Potential (and you lot sneaking at the back... I mean their abode, not bod!)

Obviously this is not the time for full on swanky outfits, so I'm about to rummage in the wardrobe for something suitable.

Whistle and flute

The Whistler has just sent me a pic... of him in a morning suit?? I'm now wracking my brain trying to work out if I've had any drunken calls with him, and inadvertently agreed to marriage :/

Mrs Robinson

The Artist. For once actually better looking in real life. I spotted him as soon as I walked into the bar. He didn't actually look too 'artisty', if you what I mean (well, once he'd taken off his tweed jacket anyway)

Strangely he'd brought me a pressie of a packet of gold stars, although I'm exactly sure why... maybe my outstanding achievement in the world of online dating?

Our conversation ranged from Marlene Dietrich to Steve Jobs (I know, it's a strange combination), while he supped his hot chocolate. True to form I got stuck into wine at the earliest opportunity :)

The one thing I found slightly strange was his concern about our ages. He's about 4 years younger than me, which in my book doesn't really constitute a 'gap' at all, but one of the first things he asked was if I was OK with that. And a couple of times through the night he quite proudly mentioned he'd never been out with an older woman before!?!

I felt like asking The Barman for my zimmerframe on the way out.

Voice of Reason wanted my verdict as soon as I got home (Christ, that is a sign of getting old... your offspring still up when you get back!). I gave him the gold stars, and he just rolled his eyes, muttering something about me meeting *weird* people!

So, will I be seeing him again? Well, he's seems like the sort of person who would be OK to do lunch with. A coffee shop type date, so maybe.

Anyway, the weekend is here, so what are my plans? Well, Voice of Reason is about for most of it, which has scuppered my original plans of escaping with my Old Friend (please Old Friend, let's do Portugal, soon!), but I'm squeezing in two dates around my parental duties; The Teacher and The Poulter Wannabe.

Tonight is second date with The Teacher. I don't know what we're doing yet, just that it's tonight. Obviously that gives me a little dilemma on what to wear, but I have ideas. He's fairly smart, so I can get away with yesterday's impulse buy!

And tomorrow is The Poulter Wannabe's second chance. I know I was a bit peeved after our first, but he was quite cute, and has invited me for a late lunch, so why not?

Lycra, before breakfast!

So far today things have been interesting. Two emails off The Artist to check tonight's arrangements. What time, and what should he wear?

I was tempted to tell him I find guys in clown outfits extremely attractive! Wear what you like honey... I've got my own clothes dilemma, without worrying about yours!

For me the choice is skinny jeans and boots, or a new dress I picked up on the way to work this morning. This is one of the problems I constantly find on my short stroll to the office... shopping! So many times I've somehow found myself parting with cash for completely unnecessary attire, just because it catches my eye on the way to pick up a pain au chocolat for breakfast!

I blame a sexy builder for today's impulse buy! For the last few weeks there's been a huddle of builders at the end of my street, and one of them has taken to having a chat most days. This morning he said I was looking good (I know... he's a builder - all they do is ogle ladies and he probably says that to all of them!). So, with the knowledge I'm looking good I picked up a sexy little number that I really don't need!

In fact, today's trip to the office actually took almost half an hour, and not the two minutes it should. First, my usual chat to Security, then the sexy builder, and finally a bizarre conversation with one of the guys in M&S about golf and Lycra?!? Really... I'm talking about Lycra with a 60 year old!

Anyway, back to what to wear?!? I think as it's not really a full on swanky date tonight I'll go for skinny jeans. And Bruv... I know you think it would be funny to 'accidentally' be in the same bar at the same time, but I'm not sure it would be fair to spy on me while I'm on a date!

Oh, and a couple of texts last night. One from The Teacher, who's looking forward to another date, and one from Outdoorsy Guy... do I fancy meeting up sometime! Bloody hell, make your mind up! I think I will though... he is very nice, and I do have a new 'City Girl' style dress to try out ;)

Short messaging service

The Dentist has sent a text back. I'm slightly bemused though... there's no mention of my instructions on how to cook scrambled eggs! He's just said it was great to catch up, and do I fancy a drink sometime?!?

And this evening I checked out The Whistler's profile again to see if there were any clues there on his possible intensity level (although it's kind of clear by the text count), and you know what?? I completely missed his height... he's only 5' 2"!

How cute :/

Strangers in the night

The Teacher... great fun! Now, you may be wondering just what's happened since my last post. How can I tell what he's like so quickly. Well, this guy moves in record time, and in the space of a couple of hours our Mutual Contact went email, text, Skype, phone... and finally Face to Face.

Seriously... Face to Face No.35 (which will make The Artist No.36. More on him later though), was a spontaneous midnight date! Now normally I have oodles of time to spend pampering myself from top to toe, but this was more a frantic rush to switch out of my totally unglamourous PJ's and yeti boots into something a little more ladylike, wishing I hadn't already downed 3 glasses of wine (I did have time to quickly Google him though, just to make sure he was who he said he was)

He showed up, smart, and armed with (more) wine and nibbles. Good man! The last time I had a Face to Face so rapidly it turned out to be a disaster, not this time though... it was pretty good fun. I think one of the things that struck me as refreshing was that he was pretty clued up on the whole online dating malarkey, so there was none of that 'so, where do you see us going' shenanigans :)

And luckily it must've been past The Whistler's bedtime, because the barrage of texts had died down! He's back up to speed today, so my phone has been on silent (to avoid any potential embarrassment)

Now, back to The Artist. Bless... he's emailed to let me know he's nervous about meeting me tomorrow.

Why?

Oh, and finally... something to make you laugh. I just got a text off Voice of Reason wanting instructions on how to rustle up scrambled eggs (I know, his cooking skills are worse than mine). So I sent him them by text. Only I didn't... I actually sent them to The Dentist by mistake!

Oops :)

Disillusioned?

Cool... a brand new Potential! He's a teacher (I haven't work out what flavour of teacher, but I'm hoping the fact he's educated is a plus). He's launched straight in by asking to meet, but pointed out he's very disillusioned with online dating as a whole.

Bugger... I don't normally do well with disillusioned guys, but lets see how it pans out. He's probably got expectations higher than Everest!

Picky (him) + Fickle (me) = ??

The Whistler is still frantically wearing the buttons of his mobile out. I've been nervously opening them, just in case he's worked out how to send himself via SMS and pops out of my phone at an inappropriate moment!