There are fifteen pool tables in this place and probably fifty people. I don’t think it was me dropping my napkin on the floor that caused your bad shot.

Sorry, that’s just how I rationalize.

(It should be noted the accuser is a friend of mine, not a date.)

Last weekend, my mother ran into some old classmates from high school. Never having been the Keep Up With The Joneses type, she tends to brag endlessly about her children without regard for the perceptions or beliefs of others; even to those with doctor sons and magazine editor daughters. She’s very happy your son saves the vision of orphans in third world countries, but did you know her daughter “gets paid ridiculously for sitting in front of a computer?!” It’s true what they say, about mothers seeing only good.

I thought about this the day I finally decided to try the online thing. It sort of feels like a competition. A competition with people you’ll never meet. I’m no good at this. Sure, there’s a brain surgeon that models Hooters t-shirts on the side but did you know I can run slowly and read code? Honestly, who could resist me?

But a competition, it is not. I know I gave the impression that a day of stir-crazy boredom and cruel temperatures drove me to the “scary” world of online personal ads, but that’s not the entire picture. Some of you know I’ve been thinking about this for a while, because I asked for your opinions (thanks, by the way- to those I know in real life and to those only by blog). So instead of making assumptions and listing reasons why it wasn’t right, I could do something new and sign up. Now, I may be right, I may be wrong, but at least I’ll have tried.

Also, it makes sense to have crossed the bridge before you go doubting the potential of what’s on the other side.

I believe Mean Emailer (I’m getting one on nearly every post these days) said it best: Good. Get dating and find someone. I’m sick of reading about all the reasons this guy or that guy just isn’t right. Just don’t completely lose touch with reality. I cant stand one more psycho dating blog.

Precisely, Mean Emailer. Me too. But I’m a little more optimistic than that. I don’t just want to stop writing about the wrong people, because Heaven knows I have met them, I have this silly idea in my head that one day I’ll be able to write about something that’s right. And don’t worry, I won’t go losing touch with reality. I know what’s right for me, as I always have. If I forget, I’ll just ask my mother.