7 Mistakes I No Longer Make When Online Dating

by Julie Robinson

  While it’s entirely true that I’m still learning how to date successfully, and I do make some doozy mistakes all of the time, I also realize that I am making headway on the dating front.  I am going on a third date with a guy I met online tonight.  There’s another cutie I’m talking to just about every day.  And, I’ve morphed into a solid fun friend with another guy I met recently. 

This is a huge improvement from when I started Match.com over ten years ago.  Remember when my date just wanted me to hang out on his couch with him while he beat off?  Yeah, that doesn’t happen anymore.  Below are some more subtle examples of what I’m managing to avoid doing (for the most part) when dating online.

1.      Use Oldish Photographs

Every six months or so a group of us get together and spend the day taking pictures of each other.  There are wardrobe changes, attention to lighting, and the occasional up-do.  This helps avoid awkward moments like the one where I met a guy who said, “Yeah, I recognized your picture from when we met eight years ago.” 

Is It Fate or What? Not!

by Julie Robinson 

  It’s written in the stars.  It’s fate.  It’s utter bullshit—but this whole idea of a soul mate has a hold on a whole slew of people (yes, even you—Darrell) and this little tale I’m about to tell is either going to make you . . . . .

A.     Gag

B.     Swoon

C.     Come to Jesus

D.     Call your mother

E.      All of the above

Natalie knows what she wants.  This is clear from the bold way she dresses to her long, graying hair that’s almost to the tipping point of making her look wicked.  She’s gorgeous when she opens her mouth to speak, but you may not notice her until you get a taste of that brain power. 

Make My Day

by Julie Robinson

  Over the years I’ve become quite skilled at doing exactly what I want, when I want, simply because I want.  This approach to life—making every day count—is a choice that has left me happy/completely broke/sexually charged/selfish--and for the most part I’m okay with that.  Here’s my recipe for preparing for a day of self-indulgence:


1 C of waking up without an alarm at a time that completely suits me—sometimes early, sometimes late
1 TBSP of cuddling with Bennett (my dog) or the lucky guy who happens to be in my bed after the night before
1 TSP of lingering over a latte
½ dash of mapping out exactly what I want to do for the day

Sift the dry ingredients together until well blended and add wine/beer/margaritas until the mixture forms a stiff pastelike substance.  Bake at a warm, balmy 70 degrees and sunny.  Cut into bitesized pieces and share with friends and family.

Most days it’s me at the helm steering my world in the direction I want it to go.  I see it as my responsibility to make my life as blissful as I can.  That’s my job.  On other occasions complete strangers have stepped up to the plate and completely made my day. . . . .