Internet dating is kind of like that. I mean, you just put your whole mind and soul out there for everyone to see, just leaving yourself open to total rejection. And just like life, it's hard to know who to approach and, even reading all of their personal information, what it all means.

I've just been having to learn how to crack their secret codes:

Like, when a woman says she's interested in "celebrating traditional gender roles," it could mean that she's comfortable allowing her man to make the important decisions and that she has a trusting nature in such situations. Most likely, though, it just means that she doesn't want to work. She wants to be a stay-at-home mom, home-schooling the kids and doing the dishes while you, the man, go out and earn a living. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but she can't say all of that online because it would put a lot of pressure on a guy. So she uses her secret code of "traditional gender roles" to make it known. It's not a very good code, as far as secret codes go, because there's not much else that that could mean, unless, of course, you come from a culture where gender roles are defined much more rigidly and women are, for example, purchased by trading livestock. It would be hard to imagine a woman wanting to celebrate such traditions, though I'm sure there are some and that they have some pretty freaky Myspace accounts.

Coincidentally, these harsh traditions are most likely what men mean when they say they want to celebrate traditional gender roles.

When a woman says that one of her goals is to "become financially independent," she may mean that she simply wants to provide for her children and their future, but most likely she means that she's looking for a guy with a lot of money.

"Financial independence" is one of the buzzwords that all those pyramid-scam companies like Amway use to get people to invest all their time and money into filling out their ranks and pumping more money into their coffers. They say you can "build your own business" and become an "independent consultant," which is more code that means unemployed. I don't fault anyone for wanting financial independence, but I don't think that that's how you go about getting it. In fact, it seems to me that, in my years of observing human behavior, the more money you have, the more dependent on it you are.

One of my online matches told me that financial independence means having enough money so that, if you lost your job today, you would be able to continue living your current lifestyle for a year. This seemed a very specific definition of the term, and I wondered which of those pyramid-scam companies included it in their literature. Probably all of them.

I pointed out to her that, by her own definition, homeless people were financially independent. We don't talk anymore. I don't know why.

 

 

 

 

I'm most pasionate about Learning about others’ experiences. The different ways people understand and react to the same situations in life, good or bad, fascinates me. I listen, reflect, wonder what I would do in their place, assimilate and save it all for later. I know I can always use it to help a friend or myself through a similar situation. And I'll always be grateful for their willingness to share a special story. A part of them will always be with me.

 

Three of Dana's best life-skills are:
    * Finding pleasure and contentment in simple things
    * Remaining calm yet resilient during a crisis
    * Being a good friend and companion

 

The most important thing I'm looking for in a person is, more important than anything, be honest with yourself. And I hate to be shallow, but I take a good time of my day to keep a lot-better-than-your-average figure, so I would expect the same from my partner. I do it as an example for my son, as a treat for my guy, and because it makes me feel alive, strong, and beatiful. Please don't waste your time with me if you're not active and fit. I'm sorry if I insulted you in any way with my comments, but people have different needs and values. That's what makes us so interesting. Interesting, right! Unless you're a fatty, then you can suck it! In her pictures, Dana does have a great body - but look at the personality it comes attached to...

 

 

 

One thing that only my best friends know is that, even though I'm as vain as can be about my body, I really don't care about what people think of me. It's looking in the mirror and liking what I see that matters.

 

 

I sincerely have to say I am a beautiful person--inside and out. I know you've heard that before--but I really am! I'm sure you've heard the song "Hello Mary Lou, Goodbye Heart"! That's truly me! I always give 110% of myself, and hope to get the same in return. I've become a pretty strong person over the years, but I would love not to have to be so strong all of the time. I've adapted the motto, "that which does not break us only makes us stronger." I want to share my life with a man I can call my best friend and my lover.

 

 

I am not trying to be mean, but I am not attracted to overweight(more than 30lbs) or short men due to my height; my prefrence is 6' or taller. I really do not want to seek anyone over the age of 48. I am just being honest and I truely do not want to offend anyone but we are all here for a reason. Good luck to everyone.

 

 

I have 3 cats that I love very much. In a relationship I am very loyal. Will not stand being cheated on. Will be there in good times and bad. Will not judge you. An open person. I am a direct person. Make a great friend. Looking for someone to be friends with. And if it turns into more that's great. Have had the same two best friends since elementry school. Have lived in GA for 35 years.

 

Know what I want. Speak in sentence fragments. ADD. Suck it.