Housekeeping

This blogger will be out of the country until March 19. And the computer will be staying at home.

See you all back on the 20th.

Forgiveness

"The things that people in love do to each other they remember, and if they stay together it's not because they forget, it's because they forgive." - Indecent Proposal

But the question is what is forgivable and what isn't?

Even if the two of you are deeply in love, one of you could still commit an unforgivable act.

Or can people that deeply in love really hurt each other? When in love, you are more likely concerned about what your loved one is feeling.

Or are you?

Single Notes

Ian McNeice wrote that being single is a constant battle with optimism.

How true.

When single we always wonder: Will I be single forever? Will the next guy be the one? Or will the next guy be another miserable drama?

The Perfect Date

Often the best dates are simple, like a walk on the beach.

The best dates occur when you and your date are yourselves and just click. Everything happens naturally.

During a good date nothing is forced. The conversation isn't awkard and the kiss just feels right.

The best way to doom a date is to plan it and plan it and plan it. With all that planning, there is too much pressure. It is expected to be perfect. And what is "perfect" anyway?

Perhaps spontaneous dates are best.

Brutal.

There should be more mirrors out there. That way when you run into a cute guy, and smile at him, you don't have to feel embarrassed.

Because, an hour later, you realize your hair was a wind blown mess with a piece of straw stuck in it.

Not only did the cute guy see you this way, but so did everyone else in the free world who you encountered in the last hour.

The more you suffer...

"I wrote her off for the tenth time today . . . But she came over. I lost my nerve. I took her back and made her dessert. Now I know I'm being used . . . I know she's playing with me . . . That happens more than I'd like to admit." - The Offspring

Why do we find ourselves in such situations? Are we just suckers with no self-esteem?

Sometimes we put up with people's crap just so we can be in a relationship. We say it's because we love them, but we don't. Because our right person would never treat us that way.

Yet we can get so "I need to be in a relationship" obsessed that we can find ourselves putting up with anything.

If only...

Have you ever met that person who is your perfect match? But they're the same sex, the opposite sex but gay, or just too old or too young.

How many times have you said: "If my best friend was a man I would marry her in a heart beat."

Have you ever met that person who is your perfect match? The two of you hung out together, but neither of you could get up the courage to bump it up to the next level. And the relationship fizzled and died in all the sexual frustration.

These are the dating what ifs that haunt us. What if we found the one but we didn't realize?

Or maybe God is tortuing you by making your perfect match a gay male and you female.

A dog eat dog world.

It's been said that cats possess masculine dating traits and dogs, well, they possess the female.

A dog, like many women in a relationship, can get a little needy. Dogs would rather be out on an evening stroll with you than having to be stuck at home while you are out with the guys.

A cat doesn't care if his owner is out with the girls. He could use the alone time.

A dog, like some women, likes to binge eat and will go for the whole cake if no one is around to see.

A dog, like many women, is overly affectionate. Dogs will greet you at the door and try to cuddle with you at inappropriate times. Dogs just don't give you any space. They always want to follow you around and spend every waking moment with you.

And that list could go on.

Say cheese.

Online dating is a safe place for people to use cheesy lines without being laughed at by the opposite sex.

Only when online dating would a guy use the name "Sir Hugs A Lot," or use the tag line "Do you have a name? Or can I call you mine?"

Please!

But then again, at least "Sir Hugs A Lot" shows a little more personality than "Nice Guy 916."

Then there are the tag lines like: "Just trying this for fun" or "Are you the one?"

Whatever, Mr. Original. Do you put as much thought into your relationships as you do your profile?

Catty much?

Do you ever wonder why a lot of single girls have cats?

Well, perhaps it's like practice for having a boyfriend.

Cats, like men, are aloof. They want your affection, but only when they want it. Otherwise they are most happy when alone with their toys.

Cats, like men, will meow (whine) when you don't do what they want.

Cats, like men, will wake you up in the middle of the night when they want to be pet. They don't care if you aren't in the mood.

Cats, like men, will often run away scared when you start sobbing.

And the list could go on.

Rebound

"The only one who should have to pay for a bad relationship is the person in your next relationship." - Miranda, Sex and the City

And that's why it sucks when you discover that you've been elected someone's rebound girlfriend.

When they find out you're not exactly . . . well, not even close . . . to their ex-girlfriend, it's all downhill from there.

Old Hat

Men seem to treat their old girlfriends like security blankets.

Literally, when men have nothing better "to do" they come running back to women they just left.

Maybe men have short-term memories. Or maybe men second guess their decisions to leave.

But maybe men are relying on the fact that you once said you loved them, and they want to exploit those old feelings, because they can. When the night is over, they'll be gone and you end up feeling used.

That's why you have to cut off ex-boyfriends forever.

Just remember you will survive, so change your stupid lock and make your ex leave his key.

Animal Attraction

When you meet a guy at a pet store and he's buying a big bag of dog food and you're buying a big bag of cat food, can the relationship really work out?

Clearly he's a dog person and you a cat person. Cats and dogs don't get along.

When there's a fundamental lifestyle difference or opinion should you still give the person a chance?

Should a non-smoker try to date a smoker? Can someone from the political left date someone from the political right? Should someone who wants to have kids date someone who doesn't?

These are the deal breakers.

Now a person can get rid of their cat or their dog. And a smoker can quit. But that's a long way to go for love, if it is indeed love.

And why give up a loyal pal, such as your cat, who has been with you through more boyfriends and break ups than you care to remember.

You and your pet are a package deal. Or are they?

Guess Work.

"Computerized dating can save a lot of guesswork - but so can a bikini." -Ed Parrish

Go away. Go away. Go away.

There are some ex-boyfriends who should just drop off the face of the planet. It would just be better for all those involved.

Like the ex-boyfriend who occasionally sends you little tokens in the mail out of the blue. Is it to show you that they still think about you? Or do they just want to see what sort of emotions they can still evoke?

Seeing their name on an envelope can make your heart stop, even if you haven't thought about them in months.

And then you call them to thank them and they tell you that they got their new girlfriend to mail it.

All they wanted to do is pick off the scabs and rub salt in the wounds. What next are they going to stab you in the heart? Oh wait. They ripped that out long ago.

Sadistic bastards like that are those that should really, really drop off the face of the planet.

Lesbians

Why do guys always, at some point, have to bring up the idea of a threesome?

That is so uncool.

If the girl is really into you, she doesn't want to share. And if she ends up playing the supporting role, while the other girl stars, you better watch out. Because someone in a threesome always has to play the supporting role, like that's fun.

And guys, if it's not cool for you to do a threesome with another guy and a girl, then why do you think it would be cool for a girl to do it with another girl and a guy?

Haven't you ever seen the movie "Threesome" or "Chasing Amy?" It will just make the relationship awkward.

A threesome is a fantasy. And that's the way it should stay - a fantasy.

Plus, where are you going to get the second girl from? I mean, really. You? You had enough trouble getting the girl you have to sleep with you.

The benefit to being a girl...

"Whenever I want a really nice meal, I start dating again." - Susan Healy

And the meal is usually free.

Guys, once and a while...

1. Buy a girl flowers for no reason at all.

2. Tell the girl you like her just the way she is and mean it. (You better mean it, otherwise why are you dating her?)

3. Give her a hug when she has a bad day.

4. Make her supper and bake a cake too.

5. Take her somewhere to do something she has never tried before . . . like rock climbing.

And by the way, you'll notice that this list is about showing that you care.

If you really want to win a girl's heart, that's all you've got to do is show her that you care. And if you can do it creatively and romantically, more power to you.

Sex is secondary. It really is.

Pointless

Guys who say they aren't looking to be in a relationship right now are difficult to understand.

What's the point of dating someone if there is no possibility of a blooming relationship?

You're not looking for something serious. Well, chances are the girl is looking for something that will grow to be more serious.

Why should a girl waste her time on such a guy?

When a guy says they are not looking for anything serious, that is a girl's cue to run far away and fast. Because that sort of guy is just looking to use her.

Taking a chance

"Don't forget that the words, 'Would you like to join me for coffee?' can result in one of the greatest romances of all time." - Life's Little instruction Calendar Volume XI

Those words can also lead to one of the greatest disasters of all time too.

But you don't know until you try.