I think the feature that allows 100hookup users to see who has been looking at your profile should be discontinued.  I understand the reason for its existence.  People feel good when they see that other people look at them and even better when that person is of the opposite sex and not related to you.  It’s a nice little rush of date-drenaline when you see all (one) of the girls or boys that have been checking you out.  Here’s what the problem is:

I have developed an online relationship with a girl that lives across the country.  I understand that that is inherently a bad idea and goes against the morals of online dating.  Why start an online relationship with someone that you’re likely to never meet in person? Well, because she was pretty and she talked to me and that doesn’t happen every day.  It made me happy so, fine, maybe I wasn’t supposed to do it but I did and it makes me feel good.  Seeing that she’s online at the same time that I am is a tiny joy in life that my twenty seven years on earth has entitled me to.

The problem comes when she sees that I search for her profile every day.  She’s all like, “What’s up with that?”  And I’m all like, “Damn baby it’s the only way I can see if you’re online when I am because I can’t search for girls in my region because you’re not in my region.”  And then she’s like, “Well that is completely rational and I am flattered that you like me.”  Then I’m like, “I would fly to California to see you like a normal person would do but I can’t afford a two-way ticket.”  And she’s like, “Just buy a one-way ticket.”  And I’m like, “Cause if we don’t end up marrying in like one week, which we probably won’t, then I’ll be stuck in California.”  And then she’s all like, “That is completely reasonable.”

So I am currently continuing my online relationship.  I don’t know if it will eventually go anywhere, but it’s a nice thing to have at the end of the day.  Who knows, maybe she will one day lose her sanity and move to the never-ending unbounded hell that is Houston, Texas.

As a blogger for 100hookup I certainly have no problems expressing my opinions on the virtues of online dating. During the time that I’ve been on the site I have benefitted greatly from how it provides a forum to meet people and get to know each other, as well as making dating easier for people who are very busy or don’t thrive in the bar scene. In addition to those reasons, and others I’ve talked about in past blogs, I can honestly say that I’ve had a very good experience with online dating. Even though I was already sold on the online dating experience, recently I discovered yet another reason why it is such a great option for me.

Last week our team embarked on a week and a half long road trip (for those of you who don’t know, I’m a college basketball coach) to play games in Utah, California and Texas. In past seasons I would have completely disregarded my social life and been forced to focus solely on my job since it’s difficult to meet women on the road. However, since I can meet women online no matter where I am, on this current road trip I have continued to be active online emailing and chatting with women I am interested in.

Furthermore I have continued to try to make plans for when we get back from our trip so, in actuality, because of online dating, I have continued to be able to try to meet women in spite on my being across the country for work. Just like when I talk to women while sitting on my couch at home in Chicago there’s no guarantee that I’ll go out with anyone I talk with while I’m on the road, but at least I am continuing to be social and trying to date. As someone who is constantly trying to achieve a balance between their personal and professional life, I am grateful for online dating since it has once again provided with me the opportunity to continue that pursuit where in the past I would have conceded all my focus and energy toward my job.

I just spent several days in Texas … first timer… like Dorothy, it just didn’t seem like I was in Manhattan anymore (Toto). Admittedly, I never watched Dallas in the 80’s and “Who shot JR?” didn’t compare to the World Cup… But during my weekend visit, it was quite obvious things were very different in Texas. Of course, as I plopped myself down at a dive bbq bar in Austin the first man I met was from no other than Manhattan (Chelsea). Go figure…crushing the Southern fantasy. Luckily, the southern drawl bartender who wants to be an actor kept the evening entertaining.

Throughout the weekend I instantly recognized the southern charm and gentlemanly manners every which way I turned. Chairs were pulled out for me at every turn, and that was just the beginning! Being gentlemanly and treating females like ladies is obviously mandatory in this state. It’s big, something I think I can easily get used to…and who am I kidding?!?! The accents were cute too!