Needle in a haystack ...

So, I've been blogging about all the frightening experiences I've had with online dating so far. Today, I want to highlight a great experience. I just went on my first face-to-face date with a gentleman last week. After weeks of researching and chatting with creeps, I had a lovely date (just drinks at a local pub) with a very interesting, handsome, educated and polite man (I will refer to him as "DD" for dream date, not necessarily Dr. McDreamy but pretty darned close!) who has a job. a paying one. This great guy paid for the drinks (wouldn't even think of letting me pay), got a babysitter for his child just so he can take me out and opened the doors for me. He was witty, charming, intelligent, easy on the eyes and oozing manners. While he shall remain nameless (although if anyone would ever ask me in person if I recommended him, it would be a resounding YES -- just not for me), I want to comment that even his name was mannerly (in that, he didn't go by some shortened version of his name or some ludicrous nickname like Joey Jimmy, Richie, Bubba, etc. -- the reason I abhor shortened names is another post for another time -- he used his full, mom-given name). All that and it only took me about two months to find him! I have a theory here, I think these online dating services throw all these crazy people at you so that when a really nice one comes along, you are so overwhelmed by normalcy that you let your guard down for the next one. I really did think my next date would be just like DD and then, BAM!!!  I get the crappy ones again. It just goes to show you, you have to sift through the trash to get to the treasures. This lovely gentleman and I will likely not go out again (unfortunately there wasn't much chemistry there) but I appreciate his effort and genuineness! I hope I find a few more treasures like DD in this venture.