Student #1: I don't understand how to do this question! I need help!After years of teaching, you find the ability to fire back answers to each one, all within about fifteen seconds—because, with teenagers, that is usually all the time you have before either (1) they become irritated that you didn't answer them or (2) their attention spans run out and they completely forget the question they asked in the first place.
Student #2: Where is the handout for the homework?
Student #3: Can I turn my homework in late because my dog ate it last night?
Student #4: I need a new book to read—this one is boring.
Student #5: Why did I get an "F" on this project?!? I worked SO hard on it!
Student #6: Ms. DD, I need to go to the bathroom—I'm going, okay?
Ms. DD: You—read the directions to the question; bet it will make more sense. You—under your book, where you put it after I gave it to you TEN minutes ago. You—no; the dog ate your homework LAST week, remember? Try a new excuse. You—you're boring if you think that book is. But if you really need a new one, go to the library. You—how long did you spend on that 2-week long project? Two hours? That's what I thought—try again. And you—you set a foot outside this classroom, and I WILL beat you with this clipboard that I'm holding. It's a good thing you're not in kindergarten, so you can hold your pee.But lately, I find that my Jedi-like wisdom is a bit slow on the uptake—so many things are being thrown at me that my mind is too busy to lay out all the puzzle pieces and attempt to see how it all fits together. I'm so overwhelmed with trees that I have no idea I'm even in a forest. I am drowning a miserable death in ungraded papers, lesson plans, and test scores. I have filled my social calendar to the max with girlfriends and dates (yes, I said dates—wowzer, maybe dating drought is over?), and I am also taking classes at night to keep my job certification. And yet, despite my schedule being packed, I am still finding time to be lonely.
Lonely.
What an awful word.
It seems so stupid to say. I feel as though I am throwing a big pity-party or complaining just to utter those two syllables. I remember I used to think that "lonely" was one of the worst feelings in the world, right up there with feeling left out or guilty, but I still feel absolutely pathetic just thinking it. Therefore, lonely has been encouraging me to jump into this online dating thing with fierce resolve to stay open-minded.
But honestly, how can one stay open-minded with some of the stuff that I have encountered?!? I'm serious. Don't get me wrong—I have been on a few dates where the only thing wrong with the guy was that he was just a bit uninteresting to me but overall seemed like a nice human being. Others? Holy dorkarama!
My online-dating conclusion—and prepare for me to completely offend some of you—is that it does NOT work when you live in a big city like I do.
I'm serious. I hate to derail your Match.com hopes and dreams, but online dating is for meeting people when your city does not lend itself to social spots and locales that allow you to meet others. In my big city, if you can't meet people, you are either (1) a social recluse who lives in your mother's basement and never emerges or (2) a socially-challenged individual who lacks all ability to interact with another human being, much less one of the opposite sex.
In my experiences with online dating, I have been matched with BOTH of these lovely options. And the others, you open up their profiles and think, really?! That's the best picture that you have of yourself?! Omg.... (Disclaimer: Yes, I have contemplated that I may be going to hell for being so judgmental, but I like to think that God would react the same way if he saw some of these photos....)
First, let's begin with some of the profiles I have encountered as my "perfect," ahem, match:
"I'm passionate about decovering the truth in general and designing things is what I love to do. I also love computers and PC games! Cats, rabbits, and horses are cool too! I have cat pictures..."
Okay, creepy cat guy...not sure I want to see those pictures!
"I am not looking for my son a mom but it is a two for one deal so I understand other single parents. I have never really been into just hooking up and I am not looking for that hear. I love sex as much as anyone but I want it to be with her and not just them....Just because I'm a guy does mot mean that the only thing I want to talk about is sex or other vulgar stuff."
WHAAAAAATT?!? That's enough of that.
"I love the fall. Crisp, sunny days with a chill in the air and the smell of fall. It is also the perfect season to make my chicken chili, which I named 'Marry Me Chili' because I have yet to cook it once without receiving a marriage proposal."
Okay, so how many times have you made this chili? Once? Twice? More?!?
"If she smokes, has kids, is out of shape/overweight, or is 100% against alcohol then it probably isn't going to work. Just being honest, no need to waste our time."
Okay, buddy, have you looked the mirror? You are looking for a supermodel, and let's be honest...it ain't happening.
"I am most passionate about taking care of my vehicles,playing video games with my nephews, going out with friends,going Hunting&Fishing when I get the chance to and most of all my music I love listing to my music I don't know what it is about music but just jumping in my pickup truck & rolling down the windows a cranking the music up and going for a nice country drive just takes me to my "Happy Place"!!!"
My happy place includes using punctuation. Just sayin.
"I am always on the computer or the iPad or iPhone. I live alone and work from my home. So it's either work or play. I do have the TV on as well."
Are you sure you don't live with your mom? I mean, no one is gonna come out and just admit it, right? That statement right there was sure to be as close as I'm gonna get....
"Even my ex's look me up so i must do something right or i am choosing really crazy women."
I'm gonna go with the latter...you said it, not me.
And, oh, just wait! I haven't even gotten to the ones I have been on dates with.... Until next time, I remain—
Forever fearless,
Dumbfounded Divorcée
