Cattle Auction

So I really am almost off for my vacation. But I am trying to finish all my last minute work and packing and, despite all I have to do, cannot help but turn to the Internet for a little procrastination.

I'm writing to introduce big news: Tonight I joined Match.com. This may not really be big news because I'm guessing nothing will come of it. My problem with on-line dating is that it just feels too darn much like a cattle auction. Preferred body type? check a box. Hair color? check a box. Eye color? check a box. Religion? check a box. On and on and on and on.

One problem I have with the notion of "choosing the characteristics of your ideal date" is that it takes all the fun away from dating. That guy who struck up the most interesting conversation with you, the guy with whom you later fell in love, just might not meet all your theoretical "ideal traits in a mate." If you had looked for him on an Internet dating site, you never would have found him. Half the fun of falling in love is the surprise of it. And there's nothing more boring than perfection.

The bigger problem I have with on-line dating is that all the men in San Francisco seem to have such unattainable standards (for me). They all seem to be looking for girls with "athletic and toned" or "slender" body types. The "just average" box never seems to be checked, let alone the "few extra pounds," "curvy" or"full figured" boxes (by the way, can someone please tell me what the difference is between "curvy" and "big and beautiful" and "full figured"? I could barely even figure out how to honestly fill out my own profile .... geez!) Unless you work out more than 5 times a week, have a brilliant fashion sense, make six figures but still have the time to create gourmet meals and excel at numerous hobbies, it seems there are not many guys on match.com who are looking for you.

What's a girl to do?!