24 Dates in 19 Days

So I ventured into online dating. I decided to put myself through a crazy three-week crash course (24 Dates in 19 Days) in Internet dating for a story I wanted to write: Every Guy Has a Tell. I kept an entertaining little journal summarzing the highs and lows of that many dates in such a short amount of time. Ultimately, I'd wanted to turn the experience into a series of columns, writing about each date and each guy ---- I was determined to prove that, like in poker, every guy has a "tell" on that crucial first date. And they do. We all do. Once you figure out that tell, it'll be obvious how the relationship will go and how it will also end. And it will all revolve around that simple little, often undetected, tell. If I was asked out on a second date, I'd fess up to what I was doing. Some of the guys had negative responses, but more were intrigued and would ask if they were going to be included in the story. And boy, did I get some good stories out of the experience. I'll admit, it was tough to keep up with who was who ... and my secret little trick was to put helper words in when I saved their names in my mobile. Example: if Dave was from Chicago, then it was "Chicago Dave," or, if Chris like to wakeboard, then it was "Wakeboard Chris." It was helpful, but I still managed to get plenty of stories mixed up after too much wine. Somehow I'd play it off well enough. My little dating diary recorded unimportant things such as: what he drove, did for a living, age, if I was looking forward to the date, the funny thing that happened on the first date, if I kissed him, and of course, if there was going to be a second date. I met some great guys and definitely became a propenent of online dating. I don't see myself trying it again ---- I seem to meet some pretty great guys on my own ... but I'll definitely recommend it to friends. Nonetheless, I had a good time, got some great stories out of the adventure, kept my friends well entertained through frequent "date update" emails and even made a couple friends. Oh, there were plenty of second dates, but most all of the guys were not someone I'd want to date long-term. That is, except one. Yes, there's always the exception to the rule. And wow, was he ever an exception.