I think it's confusing and too hard to communicate past a certain level without misunderstanding

nonetheless I love my online loves no less

tho it is a different quality of love - it is also more pure because what we love is what he/she says, thinks, laughs about

it is purely loving what is on the inside

not the car, the clothes, the status, or the toned abs

with the presence of mind to understand, of course, that we may or may not choose to add an IRL or in person dimension

the advantage of "in person" I think is that voice tones and body language aid in lessening misunderstandings

I look at on-line relationships the same way I look at long distance relationships. There are ways to make it work just as normal as being there in person but you have to have the right mindset. Those of us who toured (traveled) most of their lives have learned to develop a communication level that is unique I would say as compared to people who live down the street or even with you. We have to get past the simple argumentative things quicker and get to the root good of our time together faster. In many ways it's cooler cause it feels like a honeymoon in the continuum. Both of my wives and I had very few arguments and if there were issues they got resolved very quick and painless.

I did have one on-line relationship on here but when the arguments became daily I put an end to it fast. I personally don't see the value in arguing. Disagreeing is one thing but arguing spells mistrust to me and I have no room for that in person or on-line. Keep in mind I'm not saying this person was bad. I'm saying we had a different view of life.

I think that more and more the long distance thing is becoming much more of the norm and if you are truthful with your approach to the other person and the same back to you then it can be special indeed.

First impressions

In any relationship you must get past the first impression. Sooner or later you are going to see the other for what they truly are and the quicker you get to that the faster you will be to something that works (friends or partner). The line between friend and partner can get confused in the long distance thing so you must develop a method that works for you in the case of your dream of what you want things to be and the reality of what they are. I have seen people who live next to each other not have a clue of what the other person is like till they get together and others who just meet and know each other in days.

Get your head out of the clouds

When you are on tour you have to meld very quickly. There is no time for useless dreams. Plenty of time for dreaming, but no time for useless dreams. I think the long distance thing works very much the same way. If you are spending your time in a dream that is only in your mind your chances for reality are slim, but if you are real and the other person is as well, when you meet it is a continuation of the reality that you have developed. Ever go out with someone and it ended after 2 weeks? Well that's usually because you had a dream that this person was the way you wanted them to be and when you found out they weren't you get out of there, most of the time blaming them for a fault. This is not reality, this is you trying to make somebody instead of being with somebody. This happens in person and on-line but on-line we get to escape quickly if they don't add up. If you are this way you aren't ready for an honest relationship of any kind so of course the on-line thing to you will never work.

The risk

I don't see on-line relationships being any more risky than in person except there are more dreamers on-line than earnest seekers of fair and faithful love. On-line relationships will continue to get better and you will become wiser as a participant. One thing I would recommend though is not giving up on the lessons you learn through something not working out. (well OK 2 things) Be honest with yourself. Learn how to make yourself apparent without feeling weird. People may judge you but who cares, it's the internet and you are dating on it. You might even say that you (all of us are on one big date). The more we post the more that first impression thing becomes a distant past. I can look at guys right now on here and say "ladies, go for it" what are you waiting on. The same with some gals. I bet you there are a lot more matches on here than some of you are taking the time to notice because maybe "you are still in dream world" shaping instead of sharing.

as always, all my best on your quest