I am Discouraged

We've already established that I am single.
I've decided to dip my toe in the online dating world and, let me tell you, it's not pretty.
I have been called a racist for not replying to someone of another color. Let's just ignore the fact that his username was "brokenheadboard". Trust me when I say that the color of his skin was not a factor in the decision not to reply.
I've been called stuck up for choosing not to continue a conversation with someone else. He had no picture. He did not introduce himself. He chose to tell me he wanted to undress me. Some girls may go for that but me... well, let's just say I at least expect you to buy me dinner first. If that makes me stuck up then so be it.
I've been called thick. I think maybe it was meant as a compliment. However, to a chubby girl trying to lose weight.... that was not a compliment!
I've been sent phone numbers without prompting. I've received messages that sounded like arrangements for a business meeting.
I've been contacted by people from age 22 to age 72.
How does ANYONE ever actually meet the love of their life this way?

I am a Single Girl

(ok - so I'm going to tell my age here. That's hard when you are writing a blog for a college class and everyone else is... well... college aged!)

For the first time since 1996, I am totally single. No boyfriend, no husband. Just me. The last time I had to worry about meeting people and dating and that whole process, I was only 19 years old. Let's just say I think the rules are a little different now.

For right now, I'm embracing the alone-ness of it all. Every other week, I have free reign of my apartment (my son is with me 50% of the time, single mom, another post). I can do what I want, watch what I want on tv, eat what I want, leave when I want or stay home and do nothing. That part is AWESOME. I am, by nature, a hermit, so it works out nicely. However, being a hermit does not lend itself well to meeting other people. Often, my socializing is limited to interactions at work and time spent on social networking sites. I am an introvert but I still crave human contact. 

I do have a great group of friends. We go out on Fridays after work for a drink sometimes. We have the local "watering hole" we like to frequent. It's like Cheers. They know our names, tolerate our ever growing and shrinking crowd and are only slightly irritated when we linger too long when they are busy. However, it was noted on a recent Friday evening that a large portion of the clientele is gay. That's awesome! You already know I'm an ally. Some of my best friends are gay. But, when you are a single girl out on a Friday night this is NOT what you want to hear.

So, where does one go in this small town to meet people?  I'm in no rush. But I like to have a plan. I met my husband in class at the local community college... electricity class to be specific. That made for a great story when there was still a spark. I met my post-separation boyfriend at an art gallery with a push from a friend so I didn't really have to put any effort in to that and neither did he. That should have been a sign. I deserve a little effort. 

So, I find myself of the cusp of a new part of my life. In my first post, I eluded to being exactly where I should have been 14 years ago. I'm in college, I'm renting my first apartment ever, I'm single and I have the whole world in front of me. I never did care for doing things in order.

I am a slacker

I need to write a real blog entry but it has been a totally crazy week.
Maybe that's what I'll do while the rest of the world watches football tomorrow.
I have a list of ideas, time to put fingertip to keyboard.