30 DATES 30 BLOGS (A Change of Plans)

So, In Conclusion...

I have learned a lot from this little experiment.  Most of the lessons learned were about me.  Men are men, and although interesting creatures, I can't say I drew some amazing conclusion on the hairier sex.

Here is a breakdown of lessons learned, from my perspective:

1.  Internet dating sucks.

2.  Apparently dating ex boyfriends is better than dating new guys from the Internet.  (Who knew?)

3.  Stay away from plentyoffish.com.  Far, far away.

4.  Coffee dates are counterproductive.

5.  On a first date, if you're not into him/her, don't stay longer than an hour.

6.  Keep it to 2 alcoholic beverages, and that is IT.

7.  Married guys are on these sites looking for girlfriends.  Marriage seems to suck.  Don't worry gays, you'll find out soon enough.

8.  There are still good men out there. 

9.  Flirting is fun.  Reality is disappointing.

10.  The French are very intuitive.

The truth is, before ending the blog with UFB, I was very cynical about men.  This blog had become a project, and dating was a chore.  I wanted to enjoy it, and at first I did, but then I detested it.  I just wanted to finish this project, prop my feet up on the coffee table, read a fashion magazine, and never date again.

But getting to spend time with UFB reminded me that there are men out there that I enjoy talking to and laughing with, that I also I want to do grown-up things with.  I needed that reminder, and the timing was perfect.

The flip side of the coin is I'm protective of UFB and, therefore, a bit more cryptic with posts that include him. Again, a reminder that there are just some things that should remain sacred.

I also learned that my reserved nature, while appealing at first, will do nobody any good at the end of the day. It's time for me to practice opening up to others.

I leave this blog with high hopes of finding a man that makes me laugh, challenges me, and supports my dreams and endeavors.  He has to be out there somewhere.  If you think you're him, I'd appreciate it if you'd give me a little bit of downtime to recompose myself.  But after a few weeks pass, maybe you should contact me.  I've learned so much about myself and need to put these lessons to the test.

Since this thing is over, I feel I should out myself.  Many of my Regulars know me, but for you in Malaysia, and those people in Russia, and shout out to Israel...  This is me.

ABOUT: 30 DATES 30 BLOGS

SHELBY is the author of 30 Dates 30 Blogs - a site documenting her real-life search for Mr Right. Read her latest entries right her on SugarBang.com, or catch up on past posts at:30DATES30BLOGS.BLOGSPOT.COM

30 DATES 30 BLOGS (Dates 29 & 30 (I cannot believe it.)

Dates 29 & 30 (I cannot believe it.)

First I'd like to address something that has been brought to my attention.  Kibbutz and Ash said that they thought it was unfair to use UFB as dates.  Do you know what I say to that?  (This is when I wish I could flatulate on cue like my college boyfriend used to do when he didn't agree with me on something.)  Yeah, maybe it's not as exciting and titillating than meeting a stranger on the Internet, but this is going down and that's the way it goes.  This is MY blog and only I make the rules here.  UFB counts.  And personally, I could not have asked for a better way to end this blog.  This will be discussed in my conclusion blog.  (So Regulars, at least one more blog we get to share together!)

Date 29

It's Friday night and I'm ready to trip the night FANTASTIC!  I put on my slinky black dress, head to UFB's, and pop open a bottle of white wine.  Let's DO this.

Then the damn conversation about where we're going to eat.  Why is this conversation so difficult?  People are starving, For Christ Sake, on the streets of our very own country.  We go back and forth about it anyway. 

He wants a burger but if we (I) want to feel fabulous for the evening's revelries, it's going to have to be a bit lighter than that.  Compromise made.  Moving on.

The rest of the night was like a dance.  We sat at the bar (my favorite) and had a great meal.  A friend of UFB stopped to say hello.  He was ridiculously good-looking.  I wondered what it must feel like to have both men and women think that you're ridiculously good-looking.  We met 2 girls from Los Feliz that are in the toy industry (random).  I exchanged phone numbers with one, and we have decided to be friends.  We changed locations and met another friend.  We went home.

Who can ask for anything more?

Date 30

It's the next day, and I swear to God I could have chewed my arm off, I was so hungry.  I know what to do. Today is a day date to get that BURGER.  I pitch the idea to UFB, and he agrees.  It's 10am and surly the place will open at 11am.  Try again.  Not until noon.  NOON.  I'm dying.  My stomach is growling, I feel faint, I need to consume calories.

But guess what, ladies and gentlemen.  I toughed it out.  Took it like a man.  Cowboyed up.  Oh, we had that burger.  We ate it like savaged beasts.  There was little talk involved, as well.  We'd just occasionally look up at each other and nod.

And that's 30 freaking dates.  Concluding statements, future predictions, and closing thoughts to follow.

ABOUT: 30 DATES 30 BLOGS

SHELBY is the author of 30 Dates 30 Blogs - a site documenting her real-life search for Mr Right. Read her latest entries right her on SugarBang.com, or catch up on past posts at:30DATES30BLOGS.BLOGSPOT.COM

30 DATES 30 BLOGS (Dates 27 & 28)

Dates 27 & 28

DATE 27

UFB and I have hectic and busy schedules, so some time had passed with little communication.  We finally figured it all out on Friday night. 

After my show and his business dinner, UFB picked me up and we went to a local watering hole.  A gaggle of my friends were present, and UFB invited one of his buddies also.  What a festive time.  Libations, laughter, witty banter...  All of the things that make up an enchanting evening.

UFB and I had not seen each other in a while, so it's only natural that we'd be a bit more touchy feely than normal.  Perhaps we went a bit too far, as my friend, Ash, approached towards the end of the night and interrupted by saying, "Gross.  We're leaving."

She left.  Shortly after, UFB retreated as well to take the PDA into a more private setting.

DATE 28

I meet UFB at his place and we go out to eat.  We both overeat.  What is wrong with us?  Now we're sloth-like but still manage to make it out for an after dinner drink.  UFB's friend calls and asks us to come by, so we do. We finish the evening there and head back to his place. 

We're tired, but not ready to go to sleep, so we order part 2 of the Woody Allen documentary and fall asleep within 10 minutes.  It was the complete antithesis of the night before, but perfect.

ABOUT: 30 DATES 30 BLOGS

SHELBY is the author of 30 Dates 30 Blogs - a site documenting her real-life search for Mr Right. Read her latest entries right her on SugarBang.com, or catch up on past posts at:30DATES30BLOGS.BLOGSPOT.COM

30 DATES 30 BLOGS (Cold Busted)

Cold Busted

Well, well, well.  Seems I got a little too big for my britches.  Just as I was sliding into home, not a care in the world, over this blog, onto the next, in fact, I get busted by a suitor.

Frenchman found the blog and found it quickly.  I don't think his date was up for more than 24 hours before he found it.  Weird, huh?  Here is a breakdown of what went down:

My Israeli male friend (whom we'll call Kibbutz as he's private) came over while I made egg salad.

My phone made the sound it makes when indicating that I have a text.

Frenchman said he was reading the blog, and don't ask how he found it, but he's very "intuitive."

I have a minor freak-out as Kibbutz laughed his ass off.

Frenchman seemed upset, but then proceeded to read the entire blog and enjoyed it.  (He didn't say he loved it, but he also doesn't seem angry.)

As the night continued, I occasionally received texts from Frenchman commenting on certain entries.  Also, as a former psychoanalytic student, he may be worried about my mental health.

Here are the theories:

Frenchman always knew about the blog, and I've been bamboozled.

He's not even French, and I've REALLY been taken for a ride.

Someone has a lot of time to peruse search engines as my full name isn't on this thing.  (Thankfully, for him, it was before the SOPA/PIPA fiasco.)

I have accidentally befriended him on a social network.

I'm not as smart as I think I am.  (This one is a given.)

The part that confuses me is the intuitive comment.  During my 2 Proseccos and witty banter, how did I subconsciously deliver, "I have a blog called www.30dates30blogs.blogspot.com and you're in it?"  How does intuition play a factor in this at all?  Thank God there isn't an intuitive event in the Olympics, because the French would kick our asses ladies and gentlemen.

As you have probably surmised, Frenchman is also reading this entry.  I told him, and I will tell you all too, I think Frenchman is a lovely person.  It is not my intention to hurt anyone's feelings.  As a matter of fact, it is the last thing I want to do.  Well, the last thing I want to do is kill someone.  Or accidentally get pregnant at my age, as I'd have to keep it.  But hurting feelings is definitely in the top 5 things I don't want to do.  Ever.  But alas, I am a journalist and must journal.  Peace be with you all, and let's get this blog over with now that my cover has been blown.  

ABOUT: 30 DATES 30 BLOGS

SHELBY is the author of 30 Dates 30 Blogs - a site documenting her real-life search for Mr Right. Read her latest entries right her on SugarBang.com, or catch up on past posts at:30DATES30BLOGS.BLOGSPOT.COM