A Date. Not the Fruit.

I managed to be coaxed into coming out today and meeting a guy from online, and I suspect I'm going to regret it.  Especially since I've made it to the Starbucks and have already seen two guys who were probably more worth hitting on than the guy I'm about to meet.

Which makes me feel a little shallow.  And stupid.

I think it's more true that I'm just finally coming to the conclusion that this really isn't the way to meet people.  No more than any of the other ways I detest, that is.  I hate clubs and I hate bars, so there we have it.  My friends haven't had any luck fixing me up with anyone, and I'm not so into the traditional ways of meeting people (read:  hookup).

So what to do?

I'm trying a radical approach.  I'm looking for volunteer opportunities that'll not necessarily introduce me to scads of gay men, but will make me feel a little better about the time I'm spending, and maybe do a little good in the world.  I want to get involved with the ASPCA, but they want you to volunteer for a set schedule for six months, and since I'm leaving in less than a month and a half, that might prove difficult.  But I'm undeterred.  I'll figure it out.

Something will come up, damn it!  I'm open to ideas, by the way.

So I just finished my coffee date with this guy I met, and he was very sweet, if a wee bit neurotic.  I dunno.  He seemed nice and all, but the date didn't do anything to change my mind about the usefulness of the internet as a way to meet people.

I'm even more convinced, this seeming nice young guy notwithstanding, that everyone online is damaged in some way.

I've often said that it's not the case -- that this whole internet dating thing has become the norm.  That so many people are now meeting people online that it's no longer just the misfits and weirdoes who're doing it. But lately I'm believing that it's not true.  Even though the number of people meeting their significant others online has increased geometrically, that doesn't mean it's all normal people who're doing it.

Or maybe I'm only meeting the damaged ones.