Double Blind Experiments in Dating

Today is October 20, 2009, and I’m starting this blog as I come out of yet another failed never-was relationship.

Not exactly the kind of blind date I'm going for... But you get the idea.

BAHAHA that sounds so depressing! Ok, but seriously, I’m 24 years old, I live and work in a major metropolitan area, and I hate dating. There, I said it. I loathe dating. I could carry on and on and on about the reasons guys can’t commit and why I feel I’m destined to be a spinster who grows out her armpit and leg hair, stops wearing makeup, collects hoards cats and shouts obscenities at young children and twiterpated couples as they pass her over-cluttered front porch, but that’s not what this blog is about. Nor is this blog about finding love: it’s about first dates. I have signed up for a few dating websites, and I intend to see just how many first dates I can go on. I expect my profiles will point me to a certain demographic of men, but I’m adopting a strict never-say-no policy, so as to maximize the number of dates I go on.

I was out to dinner last night with a couple I’m friends with. Nick and Christine live down by San Luis Obispo, and they got married a year ago last month. I was explaining the concept of this blog to them, and the tempranillo that was coursing haphazardly through our veins prompted us to envision a a Bridget Jones-esque scenario whereby I fall madly in love with the first blind date I go on, then spend the next year dedicating myself to this blog and denying wholeheartedly that I have feelings for said man. I should be so lucky. But in order to take full advantage of the effectiveness of the dates I plan to go on, I am setting up some ground rules. First, if someone starts communicating with me, I have to communicate with him back. No judging based on looks or common interests. Second, I will go on any date I’m asked on, with the caveat that all dates have to be in very public places, and I will tell a friend about my whereabouts and plans (we gotta be safe about this, ladies). Third, I will request communications from anyone. I mean it, I’m not discriminating. Because I’m not looking for the love of my life, I have zero inhibitions about who I will go out with. Finally – and this one is important – no second dates.

Why am I doing this, you may ask? A few very notable reasons come to mind. First and foremost I’m totally jaded on dating, so this is a way to not become the aforementioned spinster-lady while not wholeheartedly jumping into the dating pool. Second, and probably just as important: I am really poor. I make no money, but I love going out. I’m a very social person, and spending some time with these guys is a way to get free meals, even if not every meal is free.

So gentlemen, start your engines! I’m on the market and looking to have some of the best and worst first dates of my life. I don’t know how long it will take before I get my first date, but keep this blog bookmarked and check back for updates on all my dates.