great, now what?

I woke up this morning to find that the Meetic/Meetic Affinity boys were busy bees last night and I had tons of visits, flashes and mails. Nothing to get excited about, but tis always nice.

Someone added me to their favorites on Meetic Affinity. Since I didn't pay for the service, I can only see their vitals though I have figured out that lots of people use the same pseudo on both services (not me, btw). I went and check the guy's pseudo on Meetic and it is a colleague!

And, he now knows that I visited his page but doesn't know that I'm the girl he flashed on Meetic Affinity. That said, he might have a doubt... how many separated Americans living in my little town can there be?
I'm not sure if this was the right thing to do but I sent him a little e-mail explaining the situation and told him that I was counting on his discretion.

No news from CL boy, but I'm being patient.

Random Meetic Post

Most of the guys on Meetic don't even fill in the part where they are supposed to describe what they are looking for, which just confirms my feeling that it is a meat market.

dating .... day 10

I really don't have much to say about Meetic. I have only been to check the flashes I get over the last few days, and there have not been that many of those. I guess novelty works well there and mine has worn off, oh well.

Meetic Affinity, which is the high-brow version, seems to be a better option but it is really expensive (120 euros for three months) and my anglo-saxon comment still applies, so I'm not investing in that.

In any case, I'm even more excited about CL guy. Can anybody help me come up with a better moniker for him, by the way?
We went out last night; we arranged to meet up at 7:45 p.m. and I was responsible for the evening's plans. I'm such a novice at this dating thing, which is normal since I have never really done it before. I forget that you have to consider every little detail to make sure that it is not misinterpreted. When planning it, I wanted to go to a chic bar in the Grand Palais, followed by a walk to a little-known garden. But upon reflection, and the good advice of my faithful readers, I chose something a little more low-key and a lot more me; not that I don't like a good cocktail, but those chic places still scare me and it was a bit too romantic.
As he thinks I'm a bit of a stalker as it is, I went the pub / walk route and we met at a little pub that I love and which is filled with the friendliest people in Paris and yes, they are Parisians and not just Anglos. We both gave ourselves 'outs', i.e. "It has been a long week and I'm tired", but we ended up get along very well and enjoyed two pints each and a bit of a meander.

So, we will see where it goes and don't worry, I'll keep you posted! And yes, I'm learning how to let them languish.

Meetic... week 1

I'm not very excited about Meetic. Firstly, it really is a bit of a meat market out there and I'm not interested in getting my end away. Secondly, I'm more attracted to anglo-saxons, or people very familiar with the language and culture and Meetic is not a great place for that. And then there is the 'judging a book by its cover' aspect - it is all very superficial.

Have not had any interesting contacts since the weekend. So, I can safely say that I'm not going to renew my subscription.

I am, however, very excited about the guy I met on CL. A little bit too excited methinks, so am going to calm down about it and will let you know how Friday goes.

If it doesn't work out, I think I will post an ad of my own and will seek out other anglo dating sites here. I would also like to try speed dating (yes, am feeling très adventurous).

In any case, the last week has been extremely enlightening and joyous and has shown me that a positive attitude attracts positive reactions and I'm going to continue in that vein.

Oh, and I cast off my old demons today and I feel so much better for it.

Meetic... day 3

I still don't know what to think about Meetic. I think you could safely compare it to sifting your recycling and your garbage!

I got a flash from a nice guy and took it offline, since the on line chat is really slow and have found myself with a brunch date for Saturday!

I also confirmed my drinks date on Saturday evening via phone. Not so excited about that one all of a sudden. I have to admit that I have a strange aversion to talking to people on the phone, especially when I don't know them. We'll see, but I'm betting that there won't be a second date there.

The most exciting date news of the day is not from Meetic, but from good old Craig's List. I responded to a very, very, very nice ad I saw there though I did not quite fit the person's criteria and have had the best e-mail exchange ever with the person concerned. I have suggested we meet up and am keeping my fingers crossed.

The high point so far of this experience is that I'm beginning to know what I really want and am finding out that getting it is possible. I'm finding this very liberating and am going to do my all (yes, that means burning some bridges) to make what I want happen.

Thanks to my cousin, for that insight - you will be getting a copy of the "What I want list" soon!

Thanks for your patience.

meetic... day whatever

I've lost my edge on being a newbie on meetic; I only have one new contact, with whom I'm supposed to chat tonight - we'll see how that goes.

The kids are coming home this weekend, which puts a bit of a spanner in the works, but I'm sure I'll find a way to be free every once in a while, if need be.

I also am corresponding with a guy who posted on CL and he seems charming. I haven't mentioned that I have kids yet though, but will before I go get all excited about it.

More tonight.

Meetic... day 2

I'm not feeling very inspired to spend time online as my new OPI nailpolishes are calling me (Tickle My France-y and You Don't Know Jacques. They were, of course, out of Parlez Vous OPI, which is the one I really wanted).

Anyway, had a few more visits to my profile, guess I should find someone to take a good picture of me as I was much more successful before it was published. I flashed someone else and sent an e-mail for good measure, but think I will call it a night.

Yawn.

Does etiquette have a place in the world of on-line dating?

Of the 14 people who have 'flashed' me as of this morning:

• 4 of them are way too young for me
• 4 of them live too far away
• 4 of them have not said what they are looking for, which makes me think that they don't care and just want to get their end away
• 2 of them I plan to contact

So, what am I supposed to do about the 12 I don't want to interact with? Should I write a nice little e-mail à la Emily Post (who, by the way, does have etiquette guidelines, but for teen-agers)? Is it ok if I don't respond to each and every flash?

Side note: this meetic thing is excessively time consuming and I've decided not to spend anymore than one hour a day on it!

Meetic... day 1

I can't believe that I'm actually going through with this, but I am! I have had a few e-mails and have been chatting with one of the persons I flashed yesterday. Believe it or not, he is still chatting with me even after having seen my photo and we may even meet.

Maybe I just wasn't ready before? Certainly feels like I am now.

Wow.

P.S. Have a date for Saturday!

Stats (as of 12:30 a.m. CET on Wednesday):
Profile visits: 42
Flashes: 13

Look out Meetic, here I com

I'm sick of being single. I'm fine with being alone, I relish lying alone in my bed at night, wearing the most inglorious, but most comfortable attire... the sweatpants! I like talking to my cat as if she were a person. I like making instant noodles and eating them in bed whilst adding books to Goodreads. However, there is a but - there is always a 'but', I have learned...
And the but in this case is that everything would be that much sweeter if I had someone special to share it all with....so, I'm going the Meetic route.

Yes, that route that I have avoided for oh so long. I even paid for it... and am going to be very diligent (for once) about it. I have one month, until the 18th of September, and I'm going to journal it all out.

So far I instant messengered (ah, new verb!) 3 persons to no avail and then flashed same 3 persons (that sounds naughty, I know, but I believe that it is totally acceptable behavior in this circumstance.... so far, no luck.

But I will perservere!