| | I'm just looking around - forums mainly. I work full time, usually 60-80 hours a week. When I'm not working, I'll either be out riding, golfing, fishing, camping, shooting, or working around my property. I can bowl, play darts or pool, and shoot a mean spitwad. I try to stay active, and usually don't sit still longer than a movie or a crappy night's sleep. I enjoy life, am non-judgmental, and pretty down to earth. Intelligent conversation is always welcome.
**UPDATE**
Alright, so 5 days have passed since I signed up, and I've had an epiphany - the enlightenment kind, not the religious holiday kind, although that was in January - but most Christians don't even know that kind (ironic, isn't it?).
Anyway, pics will increase my views by a multiple of ten. Great. The funny thing is, I'm selective and shallow that way, in that I don't want my appearance to be the end all or be all of any friendship I strike up. So it should be one of substance. Therefore, those other 900% who pass me by for lack of a picture probably wouldn't qualify anyway. That leaves you wondering, so he's either really hot, or really ugly, right? Nah - somewhere in the middle. I have all appendages, all teeth, my own hair, blue eyes, and I maintain what I have. I'm self-conscious enough that I paid for LASIK (best money I've ever spent), but can still get ready and be out the door in under ten minutes. Even still, I might find some internet underwear model's picture to put up there and test that theory, I haven't decided yet. I really don't have the time to go through hoards of email.
So, back to the epiphany... or maybe just a moment of pure cynicism... online dating - for people who don't have time to go out and meet others 'naturally' - or so society would want you to believe. I'm not really sure that's the answer to meeting someone.
Most people who would revert to such means usually spend a decent amount of time online. Just follow me here - hop on and let's go for a ride... But I actually don't have a lot of time. So, I'm forced to compete against Jimmy, John, and Roy, all of whom live in mommy's basement and have no life or job, yet are the very ones who are always online when you log on. They are there to feed the constant need for attention. Blowing up your yahell and email, and not really showing any signs of being a whack-job, stalker, needy/clingy, or any other reason to make you run - other than the fact they are online - ALL the time...
Well, then - back to the beginning - online dating for those who don't have time to run out and meet people... Convenient, right? I mean, this is the age of online grocery shopping (netgrocer.com - they send unperishables) - yet, the people I'm in competition with are those who spend all their time online. Obviously they have the time, they merely choose to spend it behind a screen rather than brushing elbows with the best and worst of society, rummaging up and down the aisles of WalMart. I can't compete with that - where you only have the written word to pique your curiosity. Where a one hour long yahell chat session really got you about as far as a 5 minute face to face conversation would...
I don't have the time to devote to 1 hour chat sessions very often, if at all. I'd prefer the face to face - hear the inflection, see the expression, utterly tangible things about meeting someone and saying hello. That would be my preference. I can actually learn more about someone in 5 minutes of face to face conversation than I can over two weeks worth of 'chat' online. I'm just in a situation where meeting people isn't that easy.
I'm not even talking 'married' *gasp* - which already has 75% of you running for the hills. Forget my intentions, or lack, thereof - I'm here so I must have ulterior motives, right? I'm talking about my work, which has me away more often than home, and fully employed while away so I don't have time to cavort and carouse and all the other lecherous things people assume others who are always 'away' on work do with the vast amounts of free time they're given.
So, in the end, due to my work, my liklihood of meeting someone who I would get along with on multiple levels (not even speaking in a sexual manner here - there's even more than 2 levels out there, I promise) is severely hampered by the vast amount of choices, and those who have no life outside the screen you're sitting in front of. I can't compete - I can't shovel hours upon hours a day into surfing this site or dedicating it to yahell or A-O-Hell or any other form of 'chat'. Add in that my picture isn't public, and I'm pretty well screwed.
That leaves you vying for the attention of Jimmy, John, and Roy (aforementioned), who have all the time you need, but lack the substance. And you wonder why so many people say online 'dating' doesn't work... the people who are the most obvious choices merely have the most time to woo and schmooze you - convincing you they are 'the one'. While the real people of substance aren't here all that much - aren't always at the top of your search (usually sorted as 'last online'), and can't devote the time that people who really have no obligations or responsibilities are capable of.
In the end, it's a lose/lose. You're let down because you're stuck with the best of the windowlickers, and people of substance are let down because most people don't have the inclination to exercise a little patience and give them a legitimate chance.
So, stats... I think I've had 7 people look at my profile. (would have been 70, if only for a public pic, damnit) Of those 7, only two have written. Of those two, only one was someone who demonstrated characteristics which might pique my curiosity. In 5 (going on 6) days, that's really not too bad in my book. Maybe there is hope. Seems like the rest just weed themselves out, and I don't even have to apply pesticides. ;)
If only I could bottle that for agricultural purposes... I'd be the Bill Gates of farming!
That's just 'online meetings'. We haven't even talked religion, politics, or social 'norms' yet. I haven't had any input into the above observations or deductions, although I'm sure I'm going to upset some religious sect, a few crazies, or just women in general. I'm sure I'll receive at least a few emails just to tell me I'm an ***hole from people who don't know the fundamental difference between 'two', 'to', and 'too' or 'their', 'there', and 'they're'. They might even attempt to subdue me with online jargon and shorthand consisting of "wuz up wit dat - Y R U such a a55h0l3!!!@!!" Oh, the joy of deciphering those emails... I'm shifting in my seat, all giddy with anticipation! ;)
Dazzle me with brilliance, or baffle me with bullsh*t- just don't bore me. |
