Dating sucks

“"I'm sure glad we stopped by for a cold one," he said in dead Earnest.”

“tarbubble - We went to Disneyland tonight but didn't see your message beforehand! Bummer! We were there from 4:30 to 10:00. During the school year we go mostly on Fridays.”

“Phil - what are you doing on the "Dating Sucks" thread?

Right now, dating is great because I just started seeing a new guy, but give it some time and I'll be back to the "Dating Sucks" mode.”

“Ya know, everyone just needs to ignore Artex when he asks for advice. sheeeeeeeeeeesh... he always sucks everyone in and then won't fulfill HIS part of the bargain >> letting us know how our advice paid off.

BAN ARTEX!!”

“I think he's hiding because I got the correct picture.

:)”

“I'm fairly new to TT, but if you're going out on a date maybe you could report on "Ms. Hottie's" backpacking preferences:

-Canister or liquid fuel stove?
-MSR, Primus,Optimus, Coleman or ???
-Full tent of just a tarp shelter?
-Synthetic or down filled sleeping bag?
-internal or external frame pack?

Hey, its a backpacking message board; I'm just trying to keep things focused for all the 'inquiring minds' out in cyberspace!”

“OK, gals, do you think Artex is like this in "real life?"

"Hey, sweetie, I've got something really cool I could buy, but I can't tell ya till it's more of sure thing..."

"Honey, we could go on vacation here... or here... or here. I can't let you know till later."

"Guess what, dear? I got a bonus to spend on us. How much? Oh, don't you worry. You'll find out when I've spent it on US!!"

LOL! What do you think? Is Artex like this in real life? And -- wouldn't that get old???? LOL!

Sorry, Artie, just detecting a trend here........ lol!! I PRAY you're not like that in real life, but you've got a reputation for it here. *rolling eyes* LOL!”

“wingding - I like to keep up with social issues! BTW. Having been married for 30 years, I couldn't imagine being in the dating scene again.”

“PACE, Florida (AP) -- Two Florida National Guard soldiers who married Iraqi women against their commander's wishes are being investigated for allegedly defying an order, their families said.

The men, both Christians who converted to Islam so they could be married under Iraqi law, had expected to return to Florida this month, but a new Army policy that requires troops to remain in Iraq for 12 continuous months may keep them there until April.

In the meantime, Sgt. Sean Blackwell, 27, of Pace, and Cpl. Brett Dagen, 37, of Walnut Hill, want to send their wives to the United States because of threats from anti-American Iraqis.

Vickie McKee, Blackwell's mother, said Friday her daughter-in-law has asked that the women not be identified for that reason. Both women are physicians.

"She's being threatened over there on almost a daily basis," McKee said. "He just wants to know that she's safe."

McKee, who said the Army is trying to prevent the women from coming to the United States, has delivered letters from her son and his wife to the district office of U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller. Dan McFaul, a spokesman for Miller, said the congressman can do nothing until the women request visas.

Blackwell's wife, now working as an interpreter for an American firm in Baghdad, wrote that the Army has prevented him from contacting her since the double wedding on August 17.

"Is this freedom in U.S.?" she wrote. "Where is the human right? Where is justice?"

McKee said the soldiers have been barred from using e-mail. For a time they also were prohibited from calling home, she said.

"It's an embarrassment to the Army," said Dagen's mother, Laverne Warren. Warren said her son also was not permitted to contact his Iraqi wife.”

“LOL @ lizs! I'll give in a little, but if you want full details, I'll only give them out in person. The date went very well. We saw a movie ("Once Upon a Time in Mexico"), then ate dinner (California Pizza Kitchen), then went back to her place. Had some wine, we talked, we....... I'm going to be a gentleman and stop here.

I will date her again, but as Sassafras said, she's a frou frou girl, and I'm a bit crunchy granola... we don't have a heck of a lot in common, and I refuse to get serious with anyone who's not into the outdoors. But, nothing wrong with having a litte fun, and I sense that's all she wants to. :-)”

“So....Artex.....basically.....what you are saying.....is that you are her boy toy!!!”

“Artex, I'm glad for you that all went well. Be careful though, you could find yourselves enjoying each other's company so much that... that... well....

I'm thinking I once got together with a girl thinking she could keep me warm for the winter, and I had nothing in common with her.......... for some 21 years. Did I really do something so bad I deserved that???

Good luck and have all the fun you can!!!”

“Glad you had a good time. Good to keep it in perspective. And since I will probably see you in Ocala, I will ask no questions at this time!”

“Artex - If you want to count her on your "Who Have I Met" page you have to get her to post here at least once. You did tell her about us, didn't you?”

“you guys are going about it all wrong with the pictures!

You don't understand the mind of Artex the Manwhore......

He doesn't judge a woman being hot on their looks....he judges their beauty on two global objects....

BTW did you wear your manpower-totem on your date?”

“Weekend of October 4-5

TT Studs - 1
Helpless Bunnies - 0”

“LOL @ Phil! Her lack of being into the outdoors makes her unworthy of posting on TT, IMO. :-) She did sound mildly interested in going backpacking sometime, but I immediately thought "big hat, no cattle".”

“Atta-boy 2x4tex! Siegfreid won't be calling you looking for a new partner!

Give that "no interest in the outdoors" some serious consideration. Sometimes it's good not to have too much in common...

nudge nudge wink wink, know what I mean !”

“Silent Dating at the Velvet Dog

Thursday, October 16, 2003
5:30 - 8 pm


West 6th Street - Warehouse District
The Velvet Dog
1280 West 6th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113



Did you ever write notes during school to that special someone? New York's hottest party trend comes to Cleveland. But shhhh, it's a Silent Dating Party!
Age Range: 25 - 45.



Join MatchLive at The Velvet Dog for the first MatchLive Silent Dating Party in Cleveland! Start your weekend early at the hip and stylish Velvet Dog located on Cleveland's hottest street in the Warehouse District!

After check in, each guest will be given a name tag with their first name and a number. If someone special catches your eye, grab an index card and write them a note! You will have the first hour to scope out the crowd and let that someone special know that he/she has caught your attention.

As the second hour begins and your number is placed on the bulletin board, you'll know it's time to go collect your messages for the MatchLive host.

Now, all you'll need to do is wait for your replies. And even if you don't want to play, it's still going to be a fun party! But why wouldn't anyone want to do some harmless flirting?

While you mingle, enjoy the best martinis in town and some great drink specials. Where else can you go on a Thursday night for $2 Miller Lites, $3 Heinekens, and $7 Martinis? Only the Velvet Dog!

Voted Cleveland's Best Nightclub by the Scene Reader's Poll in 2002, The Velvet Dog offers you a swank ambiance centered in the heart of Cleveland's Warehouse District. The Velvet Dog has 3 levels including the popular rooftop Tiki Patio, delivering a stunning view of Cleveland's skyline. This is definitely the place to be in Cleveland.





Casual but stylish. Dress to impress! You never know who you'll meet. You want to be ready to make a great first impression!”

“manwhore”

“I have a date tonight. with a co-worker. I'll let you know how it went tomorrow.

















hahaha! NOT.
I AM going to Margaritaville with a guy I work with, but he's 66 years old and married. His wife is out of town and all he does is whine about how much he misses and loves her and how bored he is when she's gone - so we're going out to kill time until she gets back. We invited the office to join us, but budget analysts are afraid to have fun - they might use up all their allotment in one night. (stupid budget analyst joke, LOL)
=D”

“Orenthal Bear, that sounds pretty cool! Please do post a trip report!

twigeater - that's very nice of you. Any alterior motives on your or his part? Hmmmmmmmmmm? :-)”

“Yeah Bear, trip report! Have you had any "luck" doing that kinda dating?

LOL - oh yeah, 66 year old married men are just my type...if I wanted one of those, I'd take the one who already thinks he loves me and has money to boot...
>ack!< what am I saying?!

Really though, I got he and his current wife together - by accident - and they are very happy together.”

“You little matchmaker, you. Have fun! :-)”

“We will thanks! we'll drink and cuss and rip the office apart.
Although not for too long as I have a job interview in the morning - one that a co-worker that I dated for 15 years also interviewed for. (our first date was just supposed to be "a good time" haha)

As far as match making goes - I wasn't very proud of myself at the time - he used to come sit in my cube and whine (everyone does - I keep trying to requsition a couch, LOL) and without thought I told him he needed to do what was right for him. So he left the woman he was living with for this new woman.

As the world turns...

=D”

“Zat is very interesting, my dear twigeater. Perhaps zum blueberry wine will also ease ze pain, haw haw! shifts eyebrows rapidly up and down”

“Hmmmmm... Twigster's date sounds verrrry much like the infamous Baxter Hiker. Could it be?

Moohahahahaaa!!”

“Eees dat you, mon ami Artexina? A toast et de blueberrie!

Haha! you are soooo in for it Bruce Almighty (with no "!")
(we were even at the end of the last trip, now we're back to 1-0. I will get back at you for this one)
mooohaha to you!
~>:p”

“If I didnt know better Id suspect twig and bruce were already married.....”

“DOM...I called it first. ;-)”

“Well today is day one of another start. I just wasted 4 years of bustin my ass with a woman with 3 adorable kids. I did everything I to make it work, I loved, I trusted, I supported, I forgave, I was loyal. I still have not figured out if her intent from the begining was Re-bound, Meal ticket, instant daddy or safety net. She used, abused, and re-used me. Funny thing I truly loved her and the kids with my entire heart. She ripped my heart up piece by piece until there was none left.
Starting over sucks and getting over it sucks!
I will be strong and try to keep my mind off the past and forge thru the future.
Maybe my destiny is to a bachelor! Or maybe I need to start going hiking more, to cleanse my wounded soul!”

“Dating a woman with kids is rough.
You can't help but to love the kids. The kids will steal your heart every time.”

“Very True!

It was the hardest break up ever! Due to I had to break up with 4 people instead of just one!”

“My brother went through a similar breakup. Loved the kids, but the mom was nuts. He had a hard time letting go.”

“I'm soo sorry snafu29. The right one is out there for everyone. Hang tough. There's a lesson learned in every relationship so it only feels like wasted time. Take some time and try to figure out what you learned this time. I'm fully convinced that it should not feel like "bustin' your ass". And, you're right, hike MORE!!!”

“Thanks BP and DH1,

BP you hit the nail on the head!
The father moved to Florida to get the hell away from her. I always wondered why he would moved so far away. She had me convinced it was all him.
I have only had a few real serious relationships and she played me like a fiddle.
She had a wicked alcholism problem, plus she lied constantly about all kinds of stuff.
It blew me away.
She went to the hospital a 1/2 dozen times for de-tox (sp?) and I took care of the kids for weeks at a time. She has been in rehab for 18 months now and I have been loyal and dedicated for that time. Our relationship was in "limbo" while I thought she was getting better. Turns out she was on the net in dating sites looking for a new sucker.
She even admitted she was just stringing me along as a safety net. I kinda knew something was happening from my instincts, but did not want to believe it. Over the last few weeks she has been less vocal and I asked her straight out whats up?
She finally told she was dating a new guy for a month.
My heart hit the floor.
She had me believing for over a year she was geting better and that "everything would be ok"
I was hoping there would be that day where we all (kids too) could be happy together.
Unfortunatly it's not going to happen.
the kids are 8 11 and 12 now.
The oldest hates his mom! He should not have to deal with the crap she has done, that is the true sad part about it.”

“Does the kids' dad have any interest in taking them away from their mom?”

“Rule #1 Trust your instincts! If something does not feel right to you, it's not. Keep in mind, it is YOUR life to live and choose. You deserve it exactly as you want it.”

“He would love to have them!
The 8 and the 11 year old are his biological kids, and he adopted the oldest, which was her college fling child.
After the last time in the hospital the social services caught wind of it. I know her parents have been protecting and hiding alot of the info so the Dad could not get custody, but now that Social services knows she is on her last straw, hence why she has been (as far as I know) dry for 18 months.
She has a pile of meds for all her self prescribed illness' her mom works for a doctor who perscribes all this crap. If you knew the whole story it would blow you away. I have enough stuff on her, If I wanted to let the dad know he could use it against her. I just dont know if I should get involved anymore at this point.
My family sez NO.
I think the kids would be better off with their father, he has remarried and has a newborn.

But the kids grandfather (who I kinda trust) sez the kids Dad is a wacko too. He might be bias though.”

“snafu, "Let your conscience be your guide," is the last advice I have for you on the kid issue.

On relationships, I would pretty much echo dhutch's advice. Don't compromise what you want just to be in a relationship. If you feel you're being used or abused, it's time to get out, regardless of other concerns.”

“On a lighter note: I caught the tail end of a show on TLC network a week or so ago. They took this guy who had all sorts of dating issues, remade him, gave him tips on confidence and image and sent him on a real blind date. Next week it's a chick. Date patrol. lol”

“Thanks :-)
Ya'll have been a wicked awesome TT support group. It is nice to be able to bounce something off someone other then family.

I truly wish she would pull herself together. 1/2 of her is evil the other 1/2 is really a good person. She has all the right Ideas about things she just has now concept of how to achieve them or sacrafice for them, she is very selfish.
I really wish the best for the kids. I told them I will always love them and someday down the road if they want to talk or visit (when they're older) I will be there for them. My best friend told me, as hard as it may be, they're not my children and I have to let whatever happen, happen.

Thanks again!
I owe ya a trail BEER!”

“LOL...
my family has already started the date networking for me....haha
Actually I don't really care if I meet someone at this point.
But, if "Mrs. right" walks thru the door, I will pop open a BREWSKI for her...haha”

“Not to bust you, snafu, but weren't you hot for some chick mrschili works with a couple of months ago?

You been lookin' around some too, it seems!”

“Absolutely.....
I was flitting! When My instincts where telling me I should be getting the hell out of the relationship... Unfortunately my heart would not let go, I knew was just flirting and never would truly go thru with anything especially with mrschilli's friend being from ARKANSAS and me from NY....i even flirtted with a few of the beer girls at the race track. To be honest I probably did it to try and make myself feel better for some pathetic reason. We all like to be needed...lol
i would of never went though with anything, and i was probably wrong for doing it. It has been trying times.”

“Sorry to hear this, Snafu. I can only imagine how tough your situation must be, and you have my condolences with everything.

On a brighter note, welcome back to bachelorhood! You're a free man and the world is your oyster. While dating can be a very frustrating process in itself, the advantages are is that the level of committment is lower, and therefore you have more control over situations. You get bored with a lady, you break up and move on. Of course, she can do the same with you. But it's all a game, and the trick is to remember it's just that, and just have fun with it.

I don't mean to sound like Dr. Phil or nothing here, but here's my two cents, and take it for what it's worth: Being on the rebound, dating will feel awkward and most people aren't in the proper mindset to begin a relationship. Just take your time and go at your own pace. I'd recommend getting comfortable with being single and enjoying being alone before I dived headfirst into dating. I've only been in one serious relationship, and I did the above after our breakup, and am glad I did.

Backpacking, BTW, is VERY therapeutic. Especially solo trips.

Good luck dude. If you need any dating tips, as a very happily single guy who truly enjoys bachelorhood, I'm at your disposal. I'm sure Buddha Bear will be more than happy to help out also. :-)”

“scaretex, are you going for date #2 with frou frou?”

“Don't you mean date #4? :-)”

“Oh no! The frou-frou girl has her claws in Scaretex!

Somebody call in the hogs!”

“I got the picture right, didn't I?ADMIT IT!”