The Learning Curve

Dating is complicated. Well, not really, but I've come to realize that I have a lot to learn. So very much.

I had an epiphany last night, as my local WingGirl (not to be confused with Bat Girl!) and I sat at the bar, talking about my most recent experience with Southern Boy, and about dating in general. I realized that SB is just the 4th in a string of men/boys that fit a pattern that started nearly 13 years ago. The good thing is that I have now recognized the pattern and can now learn to take steps to avoid its repetition. Of course, WingGirl says she noticed the pattern long ago (as did she catch the two red flags with SB that I, the ostrich with my head in the sand, couldn't or didn't want to see), but naturally it was something I had to figure out for myself.

I'm now trying to stop feeling stupid. I know I'm not unlike most women, but that doesn't mean I don't feel like an idiot. How could I not have picked up on the signals? How did I not read the signs? I should have known better. But next time I will.

I'm just thankful that I'm finally learning from my mistakes. And I'm optimistic that I won't make them again. Of course, since there's such a big dating learning curve, I'm bound to make different ones. Let's just hope they're smaller.

Not So Southern After All

So it seems that Southern Boy was not the Southern Gentleman I'd hoped he was. Despite the great time and promise to call (which was accompanied by other things which seemed to suggest it was not the typically male empty promise), I have yet to hear from SB. It's been 2 weeks since our date. I dropped a quick line to him a couple of days ago, just to see how the holiday weekend was for him, but not suggesting another date or anything of the sort - a sort of prodding, as my friend (the man who suggested the e-mail in the first place) put it. But there has been no response. My only conclusion...Southern Boy was on the prowl, looking for action. And when I failed to provide, he failed to follow through. Jerk.

And people wonder why I don't feel particularly motivated to date. It sucks. Just when you think you might have found a gem, it turns out to be a piece of dried up dung instead.

Sigh.