The Fake Finale

It has been 77 weeks since I started the fantastic goal of asking out one guy a week, and I've loved every bit of it!  Including 37 messages I sent on Ok Cupid in these 77 weeks I have asked out 89 guys in some form or other.  Here are some thoughts and tips from this experience.

There's the saying that you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince, and I will agree with that statement.  Granted I did not find a prince, but with most of these guys I knew right away that there was probably no long-term connection; I just wanted a story for my friends.  Connection or not, though, I had nothing to lose by talking to these men.  Most likely I boosted their ego, gave them a story for their friends, and I got a story and maybe even a date or a kiss.

I've always been a flirt, and that was usually the extent of my interaction with guys - flirt, make a new friend, and maybe get a random kiss.  For whatever reason I don't get asked out on a lot of dates, so with this project I've had to take my flirting to the next level and initiate dates.  One thing I have learned is that I'm still a procrastinator when it comes to this game.  Back in middle school anytime I wanted to ask someone to be my boyfriend, I would wait until the end of school on Friday (via a note or a friend, of course). My reasoning was because if they said no, I had the whole weekend to get over the rejection.  Now I find myself waiting until the end of the night, or in some cases the next day via email.  My rationale these days is that (a) I'm a chicken or (b) I'm having fun talking to the person and don't want to freak them out before it's absolutely necessary.  I've also discovered that I have no online dating game whatsoever, so after having only one date from Ok Cupid in a year I have deleted that account.

I've learned that going out by yourself is a strong way to attract men.  Apparently guys are more likely to approach you when you are alone because they are either (a) creepy or (b) perfectly nice and are just too intimidated to walk up to a group of girls.  Also, crutches and/or a cast are helpful - men really are drawn to that whole "damsel in distress" image.  Next, I'm a firm believer in the fun of speed dating; it's a hoot, and you should definitely give it a try at least once.  Finally, simply love yourself, relax, and have fun!  What have you got to lose?  If you ask out someone and they say no, you're not any more single than you were before you asked.

Enough of my deep thoughts.  I'm going to continue with this blog because I really am having fun with it. I might not keep up with asking out someone each week, but I promise I'll still flirt and make them feel uncomfortable.  Plus, I have just signed up for another speed dating event next month!  In the meantime, I've taken the liberty of reviewing the blog and creating superlatives for some of the guys.

Most amusing failed attempt - #3
Most confusing set-up  - #5
Favorite friend made - #6
Most bummed I didn't get a date - #9, #12, #35
Favorite line that I'll use again - #18
Best shocked reaction and longest chase - #21
Most ridiculous and memorable - Reverse (so ridiculous that I couldn't even number him)
Most drawn out courtship - #24
Most unexpected - #26
Most amount of promise turned to fizzle - #37, #43
MVP and worthy of a movie script - #49 (some of you will be glad to know that even though he moved to LA, against our better judgment 49 and I are still talking but have no idea what that means).