Like most here, I think you should walk away. I have a close friend in a similar situation and I tell her every day that she needs to move on. She of course knows this, but he's just a constant factor. Doesn't help that she works with the guy. He's ALWAYS around! If only that he's obviously not feeling you as much as you are feeling for him. Or he'd be with you. Simple as that. You owe it to yourself to expect more from someone-- and show him that you KNOW you deserve more. Good luck!

Graffiti. I live in L.A. It must be in the water.

Oh! That's hilarious! Well, in all fairness, sex shops give some good vibes, but not delivered by a 'someone'... rather a set of batteries, lol!

Concur on the "woe is me" victim mentality. Not at all attractive on any man. As a veteran, I can certainly appreciate the non-patriotism being a turn-off. Gender roles/equality is a fuzzy line. I think that men are typically better suited at certain activities than their female counterparts, but in the cases where they aren't, then that should be appreciated/respected and utilized. Case in point, when I was married, I was by far more competent in general car maintenance, so my ex would really frustrate me when he got all machismo and wanted to take over, knowing full well that I had WAY more experience than he did. I don't particularly mind the 'life is a party' mentality. Personally, I agree that life is wonderful and should be enjoyed, and this means different things to different people. Do I think that our responsibilities should suffer as a result? Absolutely not. I also don't think that if our "party" lifestyle comes into conflict with other people (causing any sort of distress) then it also needs to be re-evaluated, to varying degrees.

Thanks everyone for the waves, and the hellos...

@Magic, I'm 29 and in California...

(Eileena's comment didn't make sense until JUST now.) I'll catch on soon.

OH MY GOD! There's a scroll bar on those emoticons! This is all too much. I need to lie down.

Maybe I'm going about this all wrong. But I have deal-breakers. Hell, I've been married, I've dated, I know what I just can't be okay with. I'm a little curious if other people agree/disagree or just want to offer their perspective.

So, without further adieu, my list of deal breakers (in no particular order)

- The "Little Man Complex." Don't misinterpret this to mean that I have a height requirement. I don't. At all (how horrible of a person that would make me, at only 5'1", ha!). What I have a problem with, is men who have to prove something because THEY are uncomfortable with their height. Take my ex: at 5'7", he would offer to 'beat someone up' who was no threat at all to him or I, but just as proof (apparently to me) that he was capable. However, when push came to shove and it was time to step up and grow a real backbone, he was unable. This is a guy who drove a lifted, modified, big, black SUV with "USMC" stickers all over the place. Best part? I met him in the military... the Air Force. OMG. I married the idiot (bad on me). On the other side of that coin is a friend that I have now (who I care for deeply, but who has told me that he has no interest in a relationship-- don't ask, long story). This one is 5'6" but couldn't be more secure. He's older, more than 10 years older than I am, but I do adore him. I've seen him get between two men, each twice his size, to deter a fight. I knew it wasn't to impress me, back in his rugby days he's taken far bigger injuries, this would have been minor.

- Video Games. I don't feel the need to elaborate on this one.

- "Me Man, You Woman" attitude. Yeah, I'm a girl, but if I'd rather have a beer at a pub with friends, than meet up with the other moms on the block, that should be quite alright. I find that I have little in common with the suburban mom's in my area. I don't bake, have little patience/talent for crafting, and well, I'm totally ok with that.

- Picky eaters. Man up. Grow up. Eat. If you whine because there are pieces of tomato in your marinara that aren't unrecognizable to your sensitive palate, then you're a nuisance and I seriously will not go out with you again. Sounds harsh, I know. Personal pet-peeve. What can I say, I'm jaded in weird ways.

- Invertebrates. Please grow one. Stand up to me. I can be a bit aggressive at times, but I usually mean it with good intentions and just come off in ways that I don't see, unless you tell me. And if you're compensating, your attitude will probably mirror that of the first pet-peeve (see above).

- Grammar/Spelling. Yeah, I know, it really shouldn't matter. But it does. I edit for a living. You may as well go on a date with your High School English Teacher. I send text messages in full sentences, and WITH punctuation (shocking, I know). Do I screw up periodically? Of course. I'm forgiving, I just appreciate effort.

Curious what people think. Bad list? What are your deal breakers?

Here I go again. I've spent some time on dating sites, met people, but never felt a good vibe from anyone. It was always so regimented, so uncomfortable (seems usually from them... I wonder if I'm just too relaxed. Is that possible?)... and, I'm not one to 'play the game' so to speak, so as a close friend would say, the problem lies largely with me. Whatever. I'm back though. New site, and a more complete person. Finished my degree since the last online endeavor and I now find myself spending way too much time with a dead-end (but he's oh-so-sweet), but still dead-end "friend" (ahem). I very much need to get out there and meet new people.

So. Um. Hi.

<-- you all have smileys? How fun. I'm going to completely abuse the unwritten laws of the smiley. heheh.