I'm a single mother, divorced for 5 years. I have a small business providing workshops for children on various topics, including sex ed. I'm very comfortable in my sexuality and enjoy discussing the subject openly. Perhaps more relevant, I'm on an internet dating site and being of a daring and adventurous nature, have had some experiences that most people think are a work of fiction! I write with humour and insight. I'm a good researcher and work well with deadlines - am quick and reliable.
A short excerpt of my work follows: THE PERILS AND PLUSSES OF INTERNET DATING
Ah the 'joys' of internet dating! What I've realised is that dating sites are a microcosm of our society. They simply reflect what's out there in the big wide world - the good, the bad and the ugly!It's a fascinating experience if you are intrigued with human nature, as I am. Aside from my post about people not taking the time and putting effort into their dating profile, what totally amazes me are people who misrepresent themselves - well that's putting it nicely - people who blatantly lie about who they are! In my first foray into the murky world of internet dating shortly after my divorce, I discovered that fairly quickly. I enjoy writing and quite enjoy getting to know someone a bit through messages before exchanging phone numbers and possibly meeting. We live and learn from our experiences, and boy did I have a few - both entertaining and scary!
When I was newly divorced and in need of affirmation, I had a number of younger men chasing after me - I guess the fantasy of the older women teacher and nurturer still holds weight! It was flattering and intoxicating and I went out and met a few (to my peril)! I also met men my own age and older men for coffees, lunches and sometimes dinners. I soon learnt a few lessons - never meet anyone for the first time over drinks in the evening (if you're a woman), make sure you tell someone where you are, have an exit somewhere nearby in case you need to make a quick getaway and rather don't let him walk you to your car! This after one young man insisted on walking me to my car after two cocktails, then pushed me against the car door and shoved his tongue down my throat (ugh), then as I clicked the remote to open my car door, ran around and leapt in the passenger seat, telling me to take him to his car - which was parked on a higher level of the parking lot. I should've been assertive and told him NO, but to be honest, I was a bit scared and intimidated by a rather mad gleam in his eye! I won't tell you what he did in the car, but suffice to say it wasn't a pleasant experience, he couldn't believe I wasn't interested in him, and I was extremely lucky it wasn't worse.
Another time I made the same mistake, except this time I'd met the guy a couple of times and we'd had a lovely dinner when he walked me to my car in a rather deserted parking lot of a shopping centre. Unfortunately, he morphed into an octopus before my eyes after a chaste good night kiss. Fortunately, there was a security guard patrolling and when he started walking towards us, I catapulted into my car and sped away, wheelying my car out of the parking lot, leaving the dishevelled Frenchman behind gaping at me! I've since learnt some self-defense!
I have waited in coffee shops for men who looked really appealing in their dating profile photos, but who in real life were probably at least ten years older and many kilograms heavier! I can't believe people who do that! Why lie about your age and appearance? You're going to get caught out eventually, and misrepresenting yourself is a huge put off. Seriously, how can starting off a new relationship with a lie end in anything short of catastrophy? I actually find that sad. I guess the hope is that one's personality will win the person over and they won't notice that you're as big as a house or as wrinkled as a sharpei?
