Who's going to start dating thread No57?

[akaWisey]

Or am I going to be 'one'

[Ikeameatballs]

I split up with ex-p of over 10 years and 2dc in Feb and I am starting to think about dating again but feel really strange about it all. Is OD the best way to start given I never seem to meet single straight men irl?

[nkf]

Thanks, guys. I feel very welcome and also like a complete fraud. My closest to dating has been occasionally looking on Guardian soulmates and a half completed profile on Parship.

[TortillasAndChocolate]

Place marking. Going to grab a glass of wine and catch up.

Met up with ex friend of ex last night. Will explain and update properly once I've found out what's going on elsewhere.

So far I gather basically all shall be well. So I'm reassured.

[KinNora]

Woohooo I've found some booze I'd forgotten about

Broken how long ago was all this ? (And apologies if you've said before and I've missed it )

[Flipper924]

Ooh, Nora, what have you found? Please tell me you're not raiding the cooking sherry...

[OhWesternWind]

Ooh nkf I think Parship might be a little bit odd as you can't see photos or anything til you pay ... Might be better options out there but it all depends on what you're looking for and whereabouts in the country you are. Looking and lurking is a good plan though to get you in the mood.

Ikea why not give od a try and see how you get on with it? The thought of it is probably more daunting than the reality!

Broken lovely you really don't seem in the right place for dating at the moment. Maybe leave it for a little while? But please feel free to keep posting on here whether you're dating or not.

[nkf]

I'm a bit nervous about the idea of photos, so that doesn't worry me. I would hate to put a photo up. Soulmates I read for a laugh really. They all sound so soulful and earnest. I live in London and so the lists that come up usually feature photographers and poets and free spirits. Nothing wrong with any of those things, but it all sounds a bit odd on a profile.

[nkf]

I bet it's not cooking sherry. It's some Croatian liqueur brought back from holiday.

[KinNora]

You still sound terribly sad, petal. I'd love to be able to dispense wise words that will make it easier but I haven't managed to discover any that work, the trick is to be gentle with yourself and incrementally you will start to feel better - there will still be bad days but it will happen.
Everyone on here understands, you know.

[KinNora]

Pssshaww Flipper, way more classy than that - a small bottle of M&S Cava, tucked away in my suitcase.

(I am drinking it from the bottle though. In bed )

[KinNora]

nfk Soulmates is Land of The Knobber.

[nkf]

Thanks for the heads up!

[KinNora]

Honest, Soulmates has just been dire, I thought it'd be right up my street, no one likes a pinko liberal, sensitive man than me (I have form) but it's been a parade of earnest, flaky twonks.

[nkf]

I had a gin and tonic in bed last night. Really, I have no hope. My domestic habits have become so sluttish that no man would ever want to know. Thing is the idea of becoming a slightly dotty old lady who drinks a little too much sherry of an evening is very appealing.

[KinNora]

Irn Bru is magic.

In desperation I once squeezed out Capri Sun pouches into vodka.

[nkf]

Oh dear. Guitar players? 50 and not sure if they can commit? Permanently on courses?

[KinNora]

Oh aye, I had a rash of artists too.

( Earlier I found myself checking the nudes that Software has put online in the last month, desperately hoping none of them looked like me)

[stopusingmynicknames]

well, wind, I am still fairly new to dating sites. Came out of a relationship 3 months ago and rashly got on a site last month. chap tomorrow is the first one. it all looks good regarding matching our profiles, but I'm worried that it'll all go wrong on the date!
gotta remember to just be me but then if I'm rejected it is ME he's rejecting! Argh! What's wrong with lounging on the sofa on my own for the rest of my life????

[OhWesternWind]

Sounds good Nickname. The way to look at it is, is he good enough for you, rather than the other way round. First first date is the worst one, it does get easier. I think if you go expecting a pleasant evening out and nothing more then it's a lovely surprise bonus if there is that old elusive spark, and not too much of a disappointment if there isn't. Will you do a loo update?

[stopusingmynicknames]

ha ha! would love to, but can only access internet from my laptop! I know I will be on here before I go out though - panicking! I toy with the idea of just cancelling it, as I can't bear the thought of being rejected long term. it's just not like me - I'm pretty confident usually!
and I should NEVER have watched that first date rubbish on channel 4 this week!