At the beginning of this year, I made a commitment to seriously open myself up to giving and receiving love, and to date with the purpose of making a connection that would lead to a committed, monogamous relationship.    Three months into it, I can’t say that I’m any closer to this goal than when I started.  There's been one crazy interaction after the other. 

The first guy I met was a laid-back dude with one of those smiles that make you smile too.  During our first telephone conversation, I asked the usual getting to know you stuff, including “Do you have kids?”  He responded “13”.  Thinking that he hadn’t heard me, or had misunderstood my question -- I repeated it.  Again he said “13”.   “Damn!!!” flew out of my mouth before I could stop it.   So of course you know what I had to ask next, “How many mothers come with those kids?   His response was “11” (yes I said 11) baby mothers.  This dude is 50-years old and has grandchildren the same age as his 6-year old daughter and 15-year old twins.  Can you say Vasectomy?  Needless to say we never had that second conversation.

The next guy I met began stalking me on the phone.  After two telephone conversations he professed his love/lust for me, and said he wanted me to be his lady.  He called every day from the time he got up (which was pretty early) to the time he went to bed.    Fortunately I had a busy travel schedule during this time, so I was able to legitimately dodge his request for a date.  Eventually I told him that we would never go out, and that I would never be his lady.  I also suggested that he get a life.

Next a friend introduced to me a guy that was so boring and unenergetic, that during our first & only telephone conversation – I literally fell asleep.  Now this dude was a few years younger than me, but had about as much spark as a dead car battery.  He spoke in a slow monotone, and the concept of small talk was not an art he had mastered.  His entire conversation centered on barbequing for me, and his relationship with his dog.  Maybe he can host a BBQ for his dog…I’m just saying.

Then there was the guy who said that he was also dating with the purpose of finding "the one".  He stopped calling after the first date when his attempts to convince me to engage in a “friends with benefits” situation failed.  Looks like women are not the only ones that change their minds about what they want...or just plain lie about it to begin with.

Moving on...I met a guy as I leaving the wing shack, we exchanged numbers and he called the next day to ask me out.  We made plans for 2 days later.  When the day of our date arrived, I didn't hear from him, and my spidey senses told to me to sit back and see if he would call...he didn't.  Three days later I get a text from him that says" "Hi".  WTH?!?  You stand me up for a first date, and three days later send me a one word text?!?  I texted back: Lose my number....Loser.

Later that same week, I met a guy that had recently moved to Atlanta; but he wasn’t sure if he would stay here, or move back to Washington to be close to his 10-year old son.  He was a nice guy and we had some things in common, but getting involved with someone who may leave town in a few months didn’t really appeal to me.  He still calls from time-to-time to see if I've changed my mind.  I haven't.

Topping the list was a guy that I was really connecting with.  We had a good time whenever we hung out, and had quite a bit in common.  He was in transition (had just been laid off), so most of our dates were low key -- which was cool with me.  On our fourth date, we hung out at one my favorite watering holes and closed the place down.  As we were leaving he said he was hungry and wanted to stop for something to eat.

After enjoying a greasy breakfast and lively conversation, he walked out and left me sitting in a booth at Waffle House (@5AM) because I offered to go half on the bill instead of paying it.  He made a comment like “You got it big baller” in reference to the check.  I put my half on the table, that’s when he got angry, threw $20 on the table & dipped.  By the time I got outside he was peeling off.   I guess the meal & drinks I'd paid for on our second date didn’t count for anything, or the fact that he had invited me to breakfast.  He should have been paying the whole $14.78 check anyway.  Haven’t heard from his bytchazz again. 

So the journey continues....

Although I’ve not made “the” connection yet, it's been interesting to see guy's reaction(s) to my declaration that I’m seeking a committed relationship.  To my surprise, instead of the sound of jogging shoes rapidly hitting the pavement, my declaration is often met with the question: “Why is being in a relationship important to you?”  I’ll answer that question f in my next blog.

FH Singles:  How have you found the dating scene thus far this year?