Maybe Not, but Maybe Yes

My beloved, Maybe Nots and Maybe Yeses, hi once again! 

It's your favourite international dating correspondent, back with an update that's less "happily ever after" and more "lost at sea with a leaky boat." It's been almost a month since my trip, and let's just say, the dating pool has officially transformed into a swamp filled with... well, let's just say the dating prospects aren't exactly charming princes.

Operation: MIA Men First up, Military Man: officially declared deceased (romantically speaking, that is). He's still a ghost on social media, diligently stalking my stories but offering zero interaction. No surprise visits, no messages, nothing. 

Mr. Miscommunication: Still a Master of Silence Mr. Miscommunication continues his reign of non-communication. He graces a few stories with his views, and bless his heart, replies to a message or two… if I initiate it, of course. And then there are the photos – those gorgeous, retina-burning photos that make me miss his eyes and lips a little too much. (Yes, yes, I know I should move on, but denial is a powerful drug!)

The New Guy (Needs a New Name, Stat!) Remember New Guy? The one who (briefly) offered a glimmer of hope? Things haven't been the same since his mysterious night out. Honestly, neither have I. My conflicted feelings are practically written on my forehead. This internal struggle is making my decision about the second trip a total nightmare. Travel is my jam, but is it worth the risk?

Car Troubles & Second Thoughts Adding to the chaos, I'm neck-deep in car troubles (thanks, universe!). Looks like a new (well, new-to-me) car is on the horizon, which throws the travel budget into question. So, love warriors, what would you do? Take a chance on the trip, or play it safe because of the new wheels?

Dating App Apocalypse Now, let's talk about the dating app situation. Did the Bermuda Triangle swallow all the decent men? Every swipe feels like a gamble, and the few "rights" I've managed haven't resulted in a single match. Are my standards too high? Is my profile repellent? Should I invest in a professional profile makeover? (Desperate times, right?) The struggle is real, people!

The Great Social Butterfly Hunt And on the note of meeting people – yeah, about that. I'm not exactly a social butterfly. Bars and clubs aren't my scene anymore, so that option is out. Hence, love warriors, enlighten me! How do normal, non-club-hopping folks meet potential partners these days? Are there secret societies for introverted singles? Is there a "Find Your Perfect Match While Sitting on Your Couch" app in development? A girl can dream!

The Not-So-Grand Finale This week's update is a bit light on juicy details and heavy on existential dating woes. But hey, sometimes you gotta be real, right? Hopefully next week, I'll have more than just questions and confusion to share. Until then, send virtual hugs, dating app recommendations, and maybe a map to get me out of this swamp!

Greetings, Maybe Nots and Maybe Yeses! I’m Back with a (Slightly Bewildered) Update!

First and foremost, mea culpa for missing another week. This time, no exotic adventures or charming strangers to blame. Life threw some curveballs, and I needed to take a step back, recharge, and mentally ground myself. Dating? Let's just say it was on hold while I hit the pause button (or not).

Meanwhile, in the Land of Mixed Signals: Speaking of hitting pause, that seems to be the theme with my potential suitors! Military Man reappeared at work for a whirlwind 30-minute visit. His words? "Just dropping by for a kiss." And kiss me he did (smooth operator, I'll give him that). No complaints there, but seriously, love warriors, a quick smooch and a dash isn't exactly setting the world on fire. Especially after what happened with Mr. Miscommunication.

After the kiss-and-dash act, Military Man's messages went radio silent again. He's a social media stalker extraordinaire, watching every story I post but offering zilch in conversation. I tried initiating a chat, seeking some answers, but all I got were question marks or monosyllables that left me more confused than ever. Did something happen? Crickets.

New Guy: The Plot Thickens... Across the border, things were (somewhat) different with New Guy. He was the chatty one, the one who kept the conversation flowing even during his own personal mishaps. Lately, though, the tide seems to be turning. He sent a photo yesterday, all dressed up and clearly ready for a night out. When I asked where he was headed, the answer was as mysterious as his behaviour today. His overall tone shifted – he seemed happier, but also distant. Did he meet someone special on his island? Or is there something else brewing he's not ready to share, and using the kids as an excuse for the sudden change? This whole situation has left me with some serious cold feet about my possible upcoming trip. New Guy does seem interested in me visiting, but his recent behaviour has thrown me off balance.

Dating Pool Blues So, love warriors, here I am, head spinning from the inconsistency of both Mr. Miscommunication and Military Man. The "whys" and "why nots" of their behaviour are enough to drive a girl crazy. Some days, I just want to throw in the towel on the entire dating scene. Some others, I think I should add up to the mess as these potential options feel more like backups than real possibilities. And some other days, the hopeless romantic in me fantasises about Mr. Miscommunication waking up and declaring his undying love (insert major eye roll here).

The Verdict? Still undecided. Stay tuned for the next chapter of this international dating adventure! In the meantime, send virtual hugs and maybe a shot (or bottle) of tequila (because, honestly, this needs all the help it can get!).

Hey Maybe Nots and Maybe Yeses! So sorry for the radio silence last week. I was off on a whirlwind travel adventure, collecting stories, getting lost in charming streets, and (of course) navigating the ever-interesting world of international dating. Buckle up, because this week's post is a juicy tale of missed connections, mixed signals, and a whole lot of me yelling at my phone screen.

The Long-Distance Lure: It all began last June, a classic Tinder swipe right that turned into a virtual pen pal situation. He was a foreigner visiting my country, but alas, fate (and my work schedule) had other plans. He was only here for a short visit, and our schedules never quite aligned. Despite the limited time, we kept chatting – a slow burn of sweet nothings that escalated in November. Here's where the red flags started popping up like confetti at a wedding:

Destination Dreams: He tried to convince me to change my vacation plans to his city (thankfully in the same country I was already planning to visit). Blinded by the potential of a meet-cute, I actually changed my itinerary accordingly!

Double Trouble: Fast forward to January, and things were getting serious (or so I thought). We're talking sweet nothings, and I've even booked a double room for our rendezvous. Yes, you read that right. Self-inflicted facepalm moment right there.

The Ghosting Games Begin: By the end of January, radio silence. He completely ghosted me for a month and a half! Excuses poured in later about work and trouble with his ex (due to having a child living in another country, no less). Despite wanting to scream into the void, I offered a listening ear if he needed to vent. Maybe I was falling for the potential, or maybe I was just lonely – either way, I was hooked, and it was bad.

The Back-and-Forth Tango: After establishing a boundary about communication (hello, 3-second voice note!), things went silent again. But wait, there's more! My weak spot (aka Instagram) led me to reply to one of his stories. By then I doubted he knew who I was – the girl with the upcoming trip and the paid-for hotel room! But no. Briefly, things rekindled, only to fizzle out once again.

The (Almost) Grand Finale: Fast forward to last week – my trip to his city. Complete silence from him since March 31st. Did he show up? Did he make an excuse (again)? He texted me while I was on the train, asking for the hotel info and promising to meet for drinks after work. Talk about mixed signals!

Two Nights of Passion (and Questions): He showed up, looking even better than his pictures. The conversation flowed, and after drinks, we ended up back at the hotel. We stopped in front of the elevator waiting for it. The air crackled with anticipation. Suddenly, his eyes met mine. Before I knew it, his lips were on mine, his hand holding my waist and back. The kiss was intense, passionate, hungry.

The elevator's ring broke the spell. We turned to each other, half smiles and rosy cheeks. We entered the elevator. With my back to him, I felt his arms wrap around my waist. His kisses trailed up my neck, searching for my lips. No need to say what happened as soon as I opened the door to my room.

He didn’t stay the night, but the following day, there he was and it was basically a copy-paste of the previous night minus the elevator scene (as we had company).

The Aftermath and the New Maybe: We texted for a while after my trip, but the messages dwindled. Now, here I am, confused and conflicted. Am I being irrational for wanting more from a long-distance connection?

Meanwhile, in Another Corner of the Dating Pool: To add another layer of complexity, I've been chatting with someone else from the same country as the previous guy (seems I have a type!). He's a sweetheart, but also comes with his own baggage.

So, what's a girl to do? Here's the thing, love warriors: This is where you come in! Should I wait for the maybe-something with Mr. Miscommunication? Do I give the new guy a chance, even though my heart might not be fully invested? Or is there a Mr. Right lurking around the corner who hasn't swiped right yet?

Spill the tea in the comments! Let's hear your thoughts on this long-distance drama and any advice you might have for a Miss Maybe Not who's feeling a little lost. 

Hey Maybe Nots and Maybe Yeses! Welcome back to the wild world of online dating, where the journey to finding "the one" is often a hilarious, frustrating, and sometimes disconcerting adventure. 

Today, we're taking a break from date mishaps and diving headfirst into the messy jungle of online profiles before the actual dates even happen.

Let's be honest, dating apps are like catalogues – a never-ending parade of faces and bios with a healthy dose of "buyer beware." 

You craft your profile – a carefully curated selection of your best angles (the ones with your best features and that make you look flawless even though we all know that we're hiding that wrinkle or piece of fat that insists on popping up on our clothes no matter what) and hobbies. Some apps will also have fancy personality tests (a definite plus in my book!), and bam! You're ready to unleash yourself on the dating pool... or should I say, the dating swamp?

Because let me tell you, you'll find everything and anything in this virtual melange. Exes from your high school days resurfacing with questionable selfies? Check. Married people testing the waters? Definitely check. Then there are the profile ghosts – those elusive beings with zero photos or bios relying solely on the power of… faith? Look, I get it. Married folks might not want their significant others to stumble upon their profiles (maybe avoid being there all together and set things straight at home). But seriously, how do all the others expect to attract matches based solely on blind trust in the online dating gods?

Alright, let's move on to the profile pic enthusiasts (the ones who actually include pictures of themselves, bless their hearts!). Girls, we're notorious for mastering the art of the flattering filters (not that I used them, because I actually avoid filters!). But guys? It's a different story. Sometimes, it feels like they take selfies with a potato in dim lighting. Pro tip, fellas: take some time, experiment with angles, and trust me, the natural look is always a win. Nobody's perfect, but let's aim for "approachable" rather than "make-me-run-screaming."

So, you've swiped right (or left, depending on your fancy), and the magical match appears. Now comes the real gamble: who breaks the ice first? More often than not, the pressure lands on you, lovely ladies. And guess what? If you don't take the initiative, Mr. Match might ghost you faster than a free donut at a police station. Some other times the conversations fizzle out faster than a damp firework, leaving you wondering if you even sparked anything at all. But fear not, love warriors! Every now and then, a diamond in the rough emerges. Someone who can banter, hold a conversation that goes beyond basic small talk, and actually makes you laugh. Then comes the date-planning hurdle – aligning schedules, finding the perfect spot… it's like trying to herd a bunch of cats (have you tried doing that? Yeah.). When the stars finally align and you get to meet, a lot can happen (I mean, have you read my past blog entries?). 

Speaking of possibilities and complications, a potential new connection is simmering on the back burner, with an added twist – a different country is involved! Will this lead to a hilarious first date mishap or a blossoming romance across borders? Stay tuned in a week or two to find out!

So, onto those burning questions: would you swipe right for a profile with no picture or generic scenery shots? And if your date doesn't quite live up to their profile's expectations (photos or personality), would you give them a chance or call it quits on the spot? 

Let's hear it in the comments, friends! Spill the tea on your dating app adventures, mishaps, and maybe-nots-turned-maybe-yeses! Until next time, keep swiping, keep hoping, and may the odds be ever in your favour!

Hey Maybe Nots and Maybe Yeses! Buckle up for another installment in the thrilling (and sometimes confusing) world of dating app roulette. 

Today's episode involves a military guy, a late-night rendezvous, and a disappearing act worthy of a ninja master (again, because apparently vanishing acts are a recurring theme in my dating life).

We all know the drill: swipe left, swipe right, pray for a match that isn't a catfish or a profile with all the personality of a wet sock. It's a roller-coaster, let me tell you. The gorgeous specimens with bios shorter than a haiku (do you think they’re too good to be true? They usually are). The verified hotties who vanish faster than snow in the summer sun (because they never reply to messages). The pretty decent profiles with interesting details that fizzle out in a flurry of awkward messages (because apparently, conversation skills are a rare commodity these days). And of course, the ones you just skip because, well, self-respect is a thing.

But then, there are the rare diamonds in the rough. Like this military fella – decent looking (by my discerning standards, of course), who actually replied to my message, and kept the conversation flowing like a well-oiled machine. The only snag (that wasn't his camouflage pants)? His schedule was about as predictable as a toddler on a sugar rush. Mine, with its late-night delights, wasn't exactly a walk in the park either.

So, picture this: a fine night (Dun dun DUNNNN!) at 2 AM (of course!), and there he is, gracing my workplace with his presence. We talked for a whole hour – no fireworks this time, let's just say public smooching at 2 AM isn't exactly the office dress code – but the conversation was surprisingly engaging. 

Afterwards, the messages kept flowing. My hopes for a second date were definitely piqued. But then, our text exchange, once lively, began to fade like a dying campfire, like a forgotten bag of chips at the back of the pantry. Poof! Silence. Crickets. Tumbleweeds. The usual.

Finally, I gathered my courage and (gasp!) initiated a conversation - the last one, or so I said. Shocking, I know. Apparently, he was surprised it was the "last message." Busy at work, he claimed, with no time for his phone (interestingly, the same app where he religiously viewed my stories suddenly offered zero connection for basic messaging. Maybe they have a special "stalk-but-don't-talk" feature?). So, I did what any self-respecting Maybe Not would do – I stopped wasting my energy and time.

One more soldier down in the battle of dating. But hey, chin up, love warriors! There are plenty more swipes in the sea, land and skies, and who knows, maybe next time I'll find a guy who understands the concept of both communication and basic human connection. Until then, let's keep the faith (and the sarcasm flowing)!

Greetings, Maybe Nots and Maybe Yeses! Buckle up for a tale that starts with a smoking hot flight attendant and ends with a case of the disappearing acts that would make Houdini blush.

So, you know the drill – online dating, the thrill of the swipe right, the messages that set your phone on fire (literally or figuratively, 😜). This guy seemed like a dream come true: tall, dark, and handsome (those pictures looked like they were sculpted by the gods themselves. Seriously, the man was a walking masterpiece), divorced with a daughter, and living nearby. The catch? My crazy work schedule.

My "day off" coincided with his vacation, but alas, it was four whole days away. Now, I confess, the messaging banter was hotter than a habanero pepper, and patience isn't exactly my strong suit. So, in a moment of supreme (and possibly slightly sleep-deprived) brilliance, I suggested we meet... at the train station... before I went to work. At 3 PM.

Predictably, my date couldn't swing that time (shocker, I know). But hey, he could meet me at the station... after I finished my shift. Which, for those keeping track at home, ended at the ungodly hour of 3 AM.

Yeah, you read that right. Because clearly, that screams "normal first date" like glitter screams "subtlety."

Now, picture this: me, pulling into a deserted parking lot at 3:33 AM, looking more like a character from a zombie apocalypse movie than a potential love interest. But guess what? He showed up! And wouldn't you know it, we actually ended up talking for an hour and a half. Turns out, we had a surprising amount in common (honestly, the universe has a weird sense of humour).

The conversation flowed like cheap wine (which, ironically, wasn't an option at that ridiculous hour). We clicked, we laughed, and then... the kiss. Let me tell you, this guy could have given Casanova a run for his money. It was the kind of kiss that would make fireworks jealous.

Of course, things got a little heated (pun intended!), but a girl's gotta have some standards, right? Besides, a second (or third) date seemed way more appropriate for that kind of action.

We said goodbye, sparks still flying, and the date for later that week was still on. Monday couldn't come fast enough! Except... it did. And guess what didn't? My date. No call, no text, no carrier pigeon delivering a cryptic love note. Crickets. Absolute radio silence.

Finally, at 9:45 PM, a text. A lame excuse that wouldn't fool a five-year-old. Look, I get it, life happens. But a little communication goes a long way, people! After a less-than-stellar attempt at conversation (read: him pushing the "sex on the second date" agenda), I politely deleted his texts and his number.

So, the burning question remains: is this all that men want these days? No romance, no commitment, just a quick hookup? Maybe someday we'll have an answer. But one thing's for sure – this little Miss Maybe Not is still looking for a Maybe Yes who understands the power of a good conversation, the value of respect, and the fact that first dates shouldn't involve deserted parking lots at 3:30 AM.

Stay tuned for more dating adventures (hopefully less creepy and more chivalrous!), and feel free to share your own "Maybe Not" moments in the comments!

Hey there, fellow adventurers in the sometimes-bumpy, often-hilarious, and eternally hopeful world of dating after 40!

This little corner of the internet is for all the "Maybe Nots" out there who've ever swiped left on Mr./Ms. Right (because their profile pic was a landscape... seriously?), or whose idea of a perfect Friday night involves Netflix, takeout, and the judgmental side-eye of their cat (because who needs bad dates when you have the purrfect company?).

We'll be diving headfirst into the world of dating fails (because let's face it, they're practically an art form at this point), narrating the occasional misfortune that seems to follow us like a lovesick puppy (seriously, Universe, give it a rest!), and exploring the mystical forces (or maybe it's just bad luck? Jury's still out) that seem determined to keep us single.

But hey, amidst the dating disasters and cosmic curveballs, there'll be adventures (because who says being single means being boring?), hope (because a girl can dream, right?), and maybe even a splash of our favourite beverage (because sometimes, a cocktail is the best date you can have).

So, grab a seat, pull up your comfiest sweats (or your most fabulous outfit, no judgement here!), and join me on this weekly journey through the wild world of "Maybe Not, But Maybe Yes." It's bound to be a laugh (or a cry, whatever we want / need, because we’re free!), and who knows, maybe, just maybe, we'll all find our happily ever after along the way.

See you next week!

P.S. Feel free to share your own dating disasters, love mishaps, or hopeful stories in the comments!