This is my first time with this online dating thing. I am a second year graduate student as well as holding a jack-of-all-trades internship (some IT, PR, management, making coffee, etc.). I *should* graduate in May with a Masters in Public Administration degree from NIU. Due to long commutes to work and my university, I tend to spend a good portion of my time at the gym not only for personal development but also as a place to hang out. Yes, I have become a gym rat.

I go through cycles of being forward and outgoing followed by a sever level of shyness. Bear with me on that. You *may* have to make the first move.

My cynical nature has led to a wide variety of fun responses from others throughout my dating career. People have the tendency to be enamored or repulsed; few sit on the fence. If you can take a joke, laugh at yourself, and keep up your end of the conversation (i.e. not talk just to hear yourself speak) then I may interest you.

I have noticed while looking at the image rating tool, that people who rate you do not necessarily contact even if they give you a high rating. Does anyone have a hypothesis for this?

I have come to realize that having a standard procedure for a first date as well as subsequent dates tends to add too much structure to an event that requires both individuals involved to be spontaneous in addition to being open an honest. A standard date with everything planned beforehand adds a level of fakeness to the situation. Of course, this does not answer the question whatsoever. The quick answer: get nervous, say whatever comes to mind first, and quote Ralph Wiggum.