Whoever Created Online Dating...

Is a RICH Genius!

Of course, I'm one of the people that got hooked into online dating.  At first, it was a way for those of us who aren't clubbers to perhaps get a date from the comfort of our own home.  I joined some of the free sites and quickly realized it was full of some of the same people that I try to avoid at the club (Ray Ray Enem).  On the other hand, the popular pay sites aren't that much different.  Ray Ray Enem if they can pay, surely can play on there as well.  I also learned that a small investment to scam someone into doing something stupid (like sending $1000 for their ailing grandmother or the likes) is also worth it on these pay sites.  Thank God I haven't been a victim!

Last year, I joined E Harmony.  Dr. Warren, a staunch conservative who has no qualms about wearing his Christian Badge of Honor, guarantees that you'll find the love of your life based on some 29+ personality traits and characteristics.  After paying about $300 for a subscription for a year, I found Dr. Warren to be dead WRONG!  Although I met 2 guys that I'm sure I'll keep in touch with as friends, I didn't meet anyone that I could frolic in the sun with - you know, the way they do on the E Harmony commercials.  OK...I can't ignore the fact that I dated a nice guy for 2 months who ended up dumping me at a deli and sticking me with a night's stay at Chateau Elan because he had "food poisoning".  Ah...yeah right!

So when that nightmare was over...I did something different.  Don't be fooled, it's just as stupid!  I joined Match.  Oh yes I did.  I figure that it couldn't be too bad of an investment (it was half the price of EH), they promise the love of your life in 6 months or you get a free 6 months.  Although the rules aren't that clear for the free part, I realize that I am in the running for my 6 free months.  I've met some interesting characters from Match...one as far as Nairobi.  My first date was with a white guy and my first thought was that I'd have to go to the "other side" in order to get a date - this definitely seemed interesting.  Although I had fun and had some hopes that perhaps Match didn't give 6 free months for nothin, I realized that he played just as many games as any other brother.  So...I can scratch "Date with a White Guy" off my list of things to do before I die.

Since then, I haven't gone on any dates with "Matches", but I've talked on the phone, instant messaged, and emailed.  I check my stats to see who's looked at my profile.  Sometimes its the same guys - they forget that I'm the fat girl that they weren't interested in and sometimes it's new ones.  I send them email inquring about why they didn't send me a note.  It's usually after peeking at their profile and realizing tha I don't fit any of their preferences.  Yanno, the profile pic is a good magnet...lol.  Even though some may say it's not the case, I think that guys inherently equate slim with beauty.  So when they see Big N Beautiful or Full Figured and it doesn't seem to quite match my picture...they take my word for it and don't write.  I peep their profiles, it simply isn't their preference.  That's cool, we all know what we like.

So in honor of doing something different...I indeed did something different and uncharacteristic.  Remember the guy I slightly mentioned from Nairobi?  Well, I booked a flight to visit in August.  Not a weekend, but for 2 weeks.  Before you all go ballistic on me, I'll explain...  In my opinion, it's difficult for a woman like me to get a date these days.  I'm not a video ho, I make a decent living, I have my own stuff - including a brain, and I don't have a luggage set that I carry around with me in the form of children or stalking Exs.  No, I'm not perfect...I'm not a size 4...and I prefer flip flops over high heels that mess up my toe nail polish!  But, I am a wonderful woman.  Of course, it takes sifting through the superficial stuff to actually realize that, but who wants to do the sifting?!  Apparently no one.  I decided that my life was a bit of a bore...the routine of work, school, TruTV, and sleep was starting to make me have muscle spasms in my face.  I felt like I had some kind of crazy-lady disease.  I mean, seriously...it's no life for a young professional. 

So, amongst the many things that the young man asked, he asked if I had ever been to Africa.  In my embarassment (I travel quite a bit), I admitted that although I've been many places, I've never been across the Atlantic.  He gave me an invitation.  After kicking and screaming, accusing him of wanting a Green Card and to scam me, begging him to find someone in his own country, I booked a flight.  Before I knew it, there was a chunk of money out of my checking account and a reservation in my email box.  So, I can't back out of it now...lol.  After actually doing it, I told my mom that I was going to Africa.  After re-iterating that I was going half way around the world alone, she went into Mommy Mode.  I told her the truth about when and why I was going.  Initially, it was for vacation, but later turned into...so I met a guy on Match and he lives in Nairobi...  Of course, her concern is my safety - and after assuring her that I'd have logistical support from work, she felt at ease that she can call a 1-800 number and reach me.

Initially, I was nervous about the whole thing, but as the time grows closer, I'm getting more excited.  I actually am learning a little Swahili, and am strategizing about how I will finish my classes prior to my departure  - for some reason, school does not end when we go on vacation!  I figure the worst that could happen is that I have a great vacation with a new friend.  The best...Match will not be giving me a free 6 months.

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