I've done it, probably wouldn't again. People try to take advantage of that sort of thing.

Same here. It was the worst experience of my life.

I'm smarter and better-looking in person.

I'd like to be with someone, and I'm willing to be with someone -- there just isn't anybody out there who matches up well with me.

What if you're willing to be with someone, but no one is willing to be with you....?

When pressed on the issue, I will tell people that I'm still single because I haven't found anyone worth being with. That may sound a little harsh, but I really do think it's entirely accurate.

It took me a long time to break away from the "I'm supposed to be with somebody" mindset. The thing that finally did it was when I sat down and made an honest assessment of the positives and negatives of all my prior relationships. It was not a pretty sight.

The other thing that helped (eventually) was simply being able to see past the societal expectation, the inertia, the stay-inside-the-traditional-box mentality that people have been foisting off on me all my life. Once I was able to admit that I did NOT want what my parents had, etc., it was a little easier to accept that my own preferences carried more value than other people attribute to them.

Some people operate with the "I know what's best for everyone" mentality. Even though they never really do, because there IS no "what's best" for EVERYONE.

It's nice to see someone we have some history with, ya know?

And if you're looking for distractions, this place is full of them!

Yeah, she can just keep that there ol' big sledgehammer away from my feet....

Yes, and the problem I seem to have with this is that most people are completely stuck on the idea that we're all supposed to live the same sort of life the same sort of way.

I am constantly being told "I can't believe you're still single!" -- when, in order for me not to be single, I'd have to run across someone who was totally different from anyone I've ever been involved with up till now.

I don't think it's the "being alone" that creates the problem so much as people's perceptions, attitudes, and opinions on it. There was a point when I finally realized that these people are not me, they're not living my life, they're not seeing what I see, making my decisions, etc. -- so there was no point in my giving their views on my singlehood any credence whatsoever.

They're taking a very narrow, cookie-cutter mindset and trying to pigeonhole everybody else into it. And that just doesn't always work.

So now, when someone says "I can't believe you're still single!" I just say "Have you seen what's OUT there?" That usually shuts them up.

And this is why I continue to have some reservations about the whole "celebrity" thing....!

"Last seen over a month ago."

I don't know if he reads sci-fi, though!

And if Kevin Bacon was on here, HE would get some attention!

It can be dark and depressing.

Reality is sometimes dark and depressing.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't have the opportunity to discuss it.

Don't feel bad, they ignore me, too. And I'm only seven levels away from being a low-grade celebrity.

Yeah, still writing -- eighth book should be out in April or May -- nothing else going on whatsoever! So, are you gonna be on here a little more now? (I hope!)

Ah, one of my old favorites resurfaces....!

Once you put the "no kids" thing out there, you might as well just pack it in....

I've accepted the idea that there is simply nobody out there. I'm not ecstatically happy about it, but I recognize the reality.

And I've heard all of the hackneyed cliches about "It shows up when you stop looking" and "There's somebody for everybody," and I'm here to tell you that none of that is true. Not for me, anyway.

I don't think I'm cursed, but I will concede that people are too far away and/or too blind to see me.

I'm trying to become a better writer, and I'm trying to learn more about a lot of different subjects.