I went on vacation with my brother last week and we had a lovely time. We'll call it sibling rivalry which led us to see how many people each of us could land before we flew home. Alright, it wasn't really a contest so much as keeping tabs - I say this only so I won't have to admit I "lost." He can get three chicks in a matter of 12 hours or less... which makes him an uber-stud. If I did the same thing, I'd immediately be labeled an uber-flooze. My title this week is only slightly lesser due to the fact that I landed merely two throughout the duration of said vacation.

 

The first boy with whom I shared company is named Filipe. We had a lovely time with each other and exchanged numbers. Within the next couple of days, I called and left a message which was never returned. *sigh* Not that I was planning on visiting his state again any time soon, but it's really just the principle... a "thanks, I had a great time too," would have been the polite thing to do. I'll chalk that one up to His loss.

 

The next boy I met was in a band we saw at a bar - after MANY beers. Not only can I not tell you the name of the band, I can't even tell you HIS name because I was way past sober once the introduction took place. I know someone in the band had business cards, but it was the drummer. The boy in question is the guitar player. I suppose I could call the drummer and ask who the guitar player was, but something tells me the drummer wouldn't have given me his card if he thought I was leaving with the guitar player. If I call one to get the other ones name, well, that's just bad manners.

 

I now have no way of contacting either one of these guys. Maybe if I did some stalker type research but I just don't have that kind of energy. I don't know if either of them has a web page, and I can only assume they both have email addresses but I lack that information as well. Damn my lack of internet access while on vacation! I believe I just talked myself into investing in a lap-top. Lap-top or not, I'm still never going to remember guitar boy's name because I never saw it on a computer screen. That one might actually be chucked up as MY loss.

 

So what's the moral to this particular story? No, it's not that I'm a tramp. It is that meeting people online is beneficial in multiple ways.

 

First, you almost always get their name. Right now I can't think of a scenario in which you wouldn't. If you like to drink while typing (as one can assume I do) there's no big loss because it will be there the next morning. You don't have to pretend to cover your brain damage with a call the next day to a scribbled number on a liquor soaked napkin and saying, "Hi, this is Shea... who is this?" That rarely ever works, by the way. Don't even try it.

 

Next, you can get a lot more information from a computer screen than you can in a conversation that might only last a few beers. I prefer spec sheets and fill-in-the-blank quizzes myself. Because I have a tendency to forget things, I also appreciate the ability to save conversations which doesn't work too well in the bar setting. Sure, sometimes I might try to take notes, but I can rarely read them the next day. Typing never gets slanty.

 

Well, I believe that's my two cents worth for the day. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go prepare for my upcoming date with the rugby player this weekend. (Yes, it takes me more than a day to prepare.) We met online and I therefore remember his name is Mat. He has also read and completed all necessary online questionnaires I have required of him - at least I know what to expect with this one. Now all I have to do is hope he isn't a douche in person...

 

Keep your fingers crossed for me and I'll let you know next week.