“BEYOND ONLINE, THERE IS ALSO A BLIND DATE: I CONSIDER THE IDEA, SUCCESS RATE, TIPS, STORIES, ETC.*”
Vol. 3, No. 4, Monday, April 30th 2012
TITLE: “BEYOND ONLINE, THERE IS ALSO A BLIND DATE: I consider the idea, success rate,tips, stories, etc.*”
INTRODUCTION
This week, I will continue on with my romance theme … looking at the ‘fix-up’. The usual reaction to this phrase is to turn your nose up in the air as if you are smelling rotten eggs and to utter the exclamation, “Uggghh”. However, this is what everyone really wants, but no one will admit it. I say: “Let’s take the blind date out of the shadows!” My book of the week is “The Blind Date Guide to Dating” [Paperback] by Frank Thompson (Author). (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on dating, relationships and marriage.)
PREVIEW: Next week, I will continue on with my romance theme, then further looking at the ‘blind date’ -the stories: …the good, the bad and …..the ugly. (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on dating, relationships and marriage.)
MY LIFE & TIMES*
I have personally experienced the ‘blind date’.
I was a” blind dater” during my single days. I was always very appreciative. My friends set me up on blind dates several times. Knowing both people, they thought there was a possibility of a connection and perhaps even a relationship set-to-happen. On the other hand, if the date doesn’t work out, so be it … there was no obligation to continue.
I have also been a “fixer-upper” – I have played matchmaker. A number of years ago, I arranged for a young lady in my office and a young man, who worked for the same institution, to meet. I was asked to accompany them for lunch. I noticed sparks between them. She confessed to me that she was interested, but he never followed up. She eventually found another job and left. I ran into him one day and I asked him why he didn’t call the young lady. His answer was that he was interested, but he didn’t know why he didn’t call her. He explained that it was the story of his life. How sad! He had missed a change of possibly being with someone, with whom, he might have had a relationship. His insecurities got in the way.
I also recall that my mother arranged a blind date for a friend. The couple married and the marriage was successful.
Do I approve of arranging or accepting an offer for a blind date? I definitely do. I encourage my daughter to accept when the opportunity arises. You never know.
THE AUTHOR: Frank Thompson
Frank Thompson is an author – 30 books to his credit; he is also a filmmaker and a film historian. He lives in North Hollywood, California. More to the point, Thompson has been a writer for the real-life TV show called “Blind Date”.
SERIES/COLLECTION
Books/Articles:
Some of his books are:
Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Film-The Art-The Vision
- King Arthur
- Thompson Chain-Reference Study Bible, Large Print (10 Point) Edition
- Lost: Signs of Life (Lost, #3)
- The Alamo
- I Was That Masked Man
- Lost Films: Important Movies That Disappeared
- Cowboy Princess: Life with My Parents-Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
- The Star Film Ranch: Texas’ First Picture Show
- Selected Poems
- Sunbelievable: Connecting Children with Science and Nature
- Alamo Movie Book
- The Blind Date Guide to Dating
- The Alamo: The Illustrated Story of the Epic Film (Newmarket Pictorial Moviebook)
- The End of Liberal Ulster: Land Agitation and Land Reform 1868-1886
- American Movie Classics’ Great Christmas Movies: Celebrating the Best Christmas Films of All Time
- Abraham Lincoln: 20th Century Popular Portrayals
- William A. Wellman
THE BOOK: The Blind Date Guide toDating [Paperback] by Frank Thompson
This LITTLE book is a byproduct of the program. It is part HOW-TO and part joke book. It could help daters lighten up and possibly provide ideas for a clever witticism to roll out on the date-to-come. Read it – you might learn something and have a laugh or two.
CONCLUSION
Opinions are divided when it comes to blind dates. Many say that they want it. Others emphatically say, NO! But everyone has thought about it. If single, so should you.
Personal Comments
I say:
- This is the part of matchmaking … the oldest set up way – today it is called the blind date.
- The goal of the matchmaker, most times female, is to help two eligible singles to meet and ultimately make a perfect couple.
- Often times, the person arranging the blind date knows the two people and thinks that there could be a match. But there is a risk of being blamed if the date goes wrong.
- If the two people have nothing in common, chances are it won’t work. But then again, it’s a question of chemistry.
- For the daters, a blind date is an adventure. It’s a no brainer. There is an element of surprise to it. First, getting to know a stranger could be exciting. In addition, keep in mind, that on this date, there is a possibility of meeting new people, one leading to the person of your dreams.
- Yes, it’s taking a chance.
o There is a risk that it could be a long, boring evening, but, on the other side of the coin, it could be a very pleasant evening.
o Remember, if the blind date doesn’t work, there is no commitment to continue.
o The opportunity far outweighs the inconvenience of a disaster night. A blind date could be a dud; but on the other hand, it could be the start of something very good.
o A blind date could be a life changer.
- No longer single, I wholeheartedly encourage you
The Point
If single, consider a blind date.
ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*
A single should:
1. Say to family, friends and acquaintances: “Find me a match!” (Add: “I won’t be mad if it doesn’t work out.” This is important as most people need a push, not wanting any flack, prefering not to get involved.
2. Get as much information as you can about your blind date.
3. Go in with no expectations
4. Dress appropriately – first impressions are important
5. Go with a positive attitude
6. Be yourself
7. Be honest
8. Be careful; to this end,
a. Drive yourself
b. Meet at a public place
c. Drink as little alcohol as possible
d. Keep your wits about you
e. Go with your instincts – if your date doesn’t look or act right, make an excuse and get out of there without delay.
9. Start the conversation off with what you know about the person and go from there.
10. Try to get to know the person.
11. Listen to the person
12. Take it really SLOW if it gets romantic.
Tell me about the date of your lifetime that ended with marriage … or, tell me about the unsuccessful date that became one of your funny stories of lifetime experiences. Either way, I want to hear about it.
And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com – saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
===============================================================
ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:
S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Wendy Liebman – Blind Dates
“Wendy Liebman was often set up by her friends on blind dates, with mixed results. “I’ve been on so many blind dates,” she once exclaimed, “I should get a free dog!”
(Source: Anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=2046)
S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: Rebecca Romijn-Stamos: Hello!!
“Lucky lads who dated Rebecca Romijn-Stamos in high-school were often bemused by her father’s efforts to put them at ease. “When they used to pick me up,” she once recalled, “Dad would open the front door… completely naked.” (Source: Anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=238)
S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: Going Deaf
“One day in April 2003, Jay Leno learned that Bill Clinton was said to be going deaf. “I thought he was going blind,” Leno remarked. “Have you seen the women he was dating!?” (Source: Anecdotage.com) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=11928)
S & R* QUOTE #1: Washington Irving
“Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/love/index10.html)
S & R* QUOTE #2: Jimi Hendrix
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/love/index12.html)
S & R* QUOTE #3: Mary Parrish
“Love vanquishes time. To lovers, a moment can be eternity, eternity can be the tick of a clock.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/love/index12.html)
ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “blind dates”; “dating”; “”
Blind date
“A “blind date” is a date between two people who have not previously met.”
(Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_date)
Dating is a form of courtship consisting of social activities done by two persons with the aim of each assessing the other’s suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse.” (Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dating)
SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS:
“Friends remain an excellent way for people to meet people, according to sociologist Edward Laumann of the University of Chicago, who wrote that “A real person––whatever his relationship to you, be it friend or kinsman or co-worker––is still far and away the most reliable kind of way to meet someone.”[142] However, the Internet promises to overtake friends in the future, if present trends continue, according to an article in USA Today.[47][142] A friend can introduce two people who don’t know each other, and the friend may play matchmaker and send them on a blind date. In The Guardian, British writer Hannah Pool was cynical about being set up on a blind date; she was told “basically he’s you but in a male form” by the mutual friend.[143] She googled her blind date’s name along with the words “wife” and “girlfriend” and “partner” and “boyfriend” to see whether her prospective date was in any kind of relationship or gay; he wasn’t any of these things.[143] She met him for coffee in London and she now lives with him, sharing a home and business.[143] When friends introduce two people who don’t know each other, it’s often called a blind date.
People can meet other people on their own or the get-together can be arranged by someone else. Matchmaking is an art based entirely on hunches, since it is impossible to predict with certainty whether two people will like each other or not. One matchmaker advised it was good to match “brains as well as beauty” and try to find people with similar religious and political viewpoints and thinks that like-minded people result in more matches, although acknowledging that opposites sometimes attract.[141] “ (Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dating)
SCHEDULE III
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: How to grow together after the wedding By Melissa Wallace
“Planning a wedding was tough enough with differing opinions, an endless to-do list, and playing peacemaker with various family members. Now that the big day is over and you and your sweetie can finally catch your breath, you may be wondering how to make the most of the months ahead to get your marriage off to a great start.
Date night. Romanticism can get thrown out the window when you’re suddenly dealing with double the load of laundry and dirty dishes. Go on a date with your spouse at least once a week to regroup and keep that fire going.
Share a hobby. You and your spouse may already have a sport or activity you both enjoy, but if you don’t, consider looking into your community centre listings and try something new. You may discover a new love for dance, ultimate Frisbee, or wine tasting.
Appreciate each other. Say thank you often and avoid brewing resentment. Just make sure you mean it. Your spouse knows when you’re being genuine and when you’re being fake. Note: apply the same to the words, I’m sorry.
Go out with friends. Don’t forget about all the people who kept you sane the weeks before your wedding and took on your stress to give you your perfect day. Your friends will be ecstatic to see a calmer version of their friend again.
Give of yourselves. Love is a wonderful thing and it should be shared with those who don’t often feel it. Consider donating your time to volunteer at a soup kitchen or share your talents at a seniors home. Or sponsor a child through an international development organization like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada. Through sponsorship, you and your spouse can write letters to a child living in poverty to show that you care.” www.newscanada.com
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: How to find your one and only By Maja Begovic
“We all want to find the person we are meant to be with. That special someone we are totally enamored by, connected to, and head-over-heels in love with. Just in time for a fresh start this Valentine’s Day, here are some pearls of wisdom that may eventually help bring you and your beloved together:
Believe in your soul mate and be patient
Fate doesn’t work on a schedule. Your soul mate might cross your path when you’re eight or 80 years old. If you can believe in love even when life doesn’t seem to be taking you in that direction you’re already halfway there.
Make yourself a better person
Next, begin the process of self-improvement. Be the type of person people fall in love with. If you think you need a better job or education, go back to school. If you want to improve your health, go to the gym and get in shape. If you want to expand your horizons, then begin to volunteer or get involved with a non-profit organization like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (www.ccfcanada.ca) and see how improving the lives of people living in poverty can help bring new perspective into your own life.
Don’t hate being single
Honour the state of not yet having a mate. Enjoy your life, go out with friends, and pursue paths of self-improvement. Spend time fine-tuning skills, nurturing interests, and having adventures. Study, take courses, and do things that help you grow personally, spiritually, and professionally. Live fully and stay open. Love may not be far behind.
How will I know when I do find my soul mate?
Your soul mate will be a person you will feel a very strong and passionate connection with, as well as an old connection. In other words, you will feel as if you have known the person for a long time, even though you may have just met him or her recently. Even in moments of doubt and fear, open your arms to love. Know that every step you take in the direction of love will bring your true love closer to you.” www.newscanada.com
*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved