Can’t think of anything FUN to do? Here are a couple of ideas to do with some friends, or that special “friend” you won’t admit you are actually more then just “friends” with:
-go X-Bowling (a.k.a. disco bowling)
-pack a basket full of yummy treats and go to a pretty park and have a picnic
-go to Starbucks and grab a latte
-rent canoes and paddle around in the nearest lake/river
-play tennis
-get a pick-up game of basketball going w/ the boys (or girls, or both)
-go to a place where you can paint your own dishes or cups, and create a masterpiece with some of your friends to cherish for years to come
-go on a ferry ride without your car and just walk around when you get to the other side
-go in someone’s hot tub
-dress up all fancy and go to a play, opera, symphony, or just a nice place for dinner
-play Twister or other fun board games from back in the day
-go for a walk
-have a dance party @ someone’s house
-take the bus to random places, get off, then study or read
-watch the sunset……………….then/or watch the sunrise
-go to the zoo
-go to old diners anytime after midnight
-go camping
-bake together (deserts are really fun!)
-go to the laser show, or the IMAX
-go to the top of a really tall building downtown
-go to a baseball or hockey game
-go to the golf course (it is just using your 9 irons and putters, really easy and fun!)
-Go to the circus
-Go sightseeing in your own city, pretending to be tourists
-Have fun at an amusement park
-Visit an agricultural or environmental tourist attraction in your city. IE: biodome, aquarium, planetarium, arboritarium, botanical gardens, etc.
-Minigolf
-Take your date to a haunted house
-Before Halloween, why not pick out a pumpkin together and carve it
-Take your date to a comedy club
-White water rafting is an EXCELLENT idea!
-Take a hay ride together
-Go clam digging or muscle/perwinkle picking together
-Take a ride in a hot air balloon
-Go horseback riding
-Take a one-time class together
-Go ice skating on a deserted pond
-Go for a hike
-Take a short pottery making class together
-Try shooting pool
-Go on a tour of a local industry
-Visit a museum
-In-line skating
-Go to a drive-in movie
-Go to a dance
-Go for a drive in the country
-Go out on a double date
-Buy a canvas and paint a picture together

Play to your strengths.
Everyone has a special skill, whether it is humor, musical ability, drawing skills, or athletic prowess. Think about your number one strength and incorporate it into your dating arsenal. If you can play the piano like Billy Joel, it won’t matter if you don’t look like Brad Pitt.

Model your successful friends.
Think about the three to five male friends you know who are successful in dating and relationships. Write down their names and two to three things each does to be successful. See if you can implement any of their ideas in your own dating approach.

Get a Makeover.
We’re not talking about radical, reconstructive plastic surgery here. But if you have one or two features (i.e., your hair style) that could be modernized, go for it. You’ll feel more confident and it will show on the dating scene.

Hire a dating coach.
Fitness centers are not the only place you’ll find a trainer. You can hire a personal dating coach to show you the way. You’ll have an objective voice to guide you on your dating adventures.

Here’s How:

1.   The spark is missing.
Tell the person you enjoy spending time together, but for whatever reason, you just don’t feel the spark.

2.   You don’t want to mislead the person.
Explain that you care too deeply about the person to ever lead them on, or make them feel the relationship has a chance to progress.

3.   Be encouraging.
Let them know they’re a great catch, will recover, and will meet someone new.

4.   Give positive feedback only.
Honestly answer any questions about the breakup. Don’t be nasty. Remember, they’re a nice guy or girl.

5.   Don’t blame the person.
Don’t in any way make them feel like the breakup is their fault. Let them leave the relationship believing it was a poor fit between the two of you.

6.   Tell him or her it’s not about them.
Make it clear that he or she doesn’t have any major physical or intellectual faults. Nice people have a tendency to analyze the breakup for months. If they think it has something to do with a hook nose or lack of knowledge about Renaissance painters, they’ll beat themselves up for years.

7.   Don’t continue getting physical.
Making a nice person believe there’s a chance to continue the relationship, when you have no intention of really dating them again, is just plain wrong.

8.   Deliver the message clearly.
If you think the person will have a hard time leaving you alone, be as clear and business-like as possible in communicating your message that the relationship is over.

Follow these simple first date etiquette tips and you’ll greatly improve your chances of securing the all-important second date:

1.    Make a Backup Plan
The weather can change quickly, restaurants can close for renovations, and your tickets can turn out to be counterfeit. Have a backup plan in mind in case your date takes an unexpected turn.

2.    Plan a Short Date
No need to map out the rest of your lives together. Start with a simple, 1-2 hour date. If things go well, you can always extend the date. However, there’s nothing worse than being on an all-day tour when you realized five minutes into the date that you have no future together.

3.    Be Punctual
There’s no greater sign of disrespect than being late for your first date. Get directions to your location, arrive early, and show your date that you care about him or her and the plans you made.

4.    Agree on the Dress Code
When planning the date, talk about the dress code for the particular event. It can be embarrassing if one person shows up in a suit while the other wears jeans and a sweatshirt.

5.    Compliment, But Don’t Over Do It
A few nice words makes everyone feel special, but persistent comments about the other person’s looks, personality, body, etc., gets old and can seem desperate.

6.    Drink Responsibly
A few drinks may take the pressure off the date, but don’t pretend you’re at a fraternity party. Drinking too much will likely bring out some bad sides to your personality and that can’t help your chances.

7.    Balance Talking and Listening
Pay attention to the amount of time you spend talking versus listening. If the scale is weighing in either direction, look to balance it out.

1. Consider How Your Friends Found a Boyfriend or Girlfriend.
Make a list of your ten closest friends and family who are currently in satisfying relationships. Next to each name, write down exactly how they met their current boyfriend or girlfriend. Choose the three ways that seem most likely to land you a partner and commit to implement those ideas in your own love life.

2. Join Two or Three Online Dating Services.
The days of negative steroetypes for online dating services are gone. Millions of people are finding that special someone in cyberspace. Research the sites out there and commit to joining the right online site for you. You’ll be dating before you know it and may very well find someone worthy of boyfriend or girlfriend status.

3. Sign-up for a Ski House or Beach House.
Depending on the climate where you live, sign-up for a singles-oriented ski house or beach house. Ask one of your single friends to join too. Most houses offer quarter, half, or full shares meaning you could be hitting the slopes or catching rays anywhere from four to 16 weeks this season. Plus, you’re bound to find one or two people in the house with relationship potential.

4. Join Niche Dating Sites or Services.
Dating services and online dating sites are becoming more and more sophisticated and specialized. You can now find sites devoted to politics, religion, race, age, etc. Narrow your search to the site that fits your situation. You’ll vastly improve your odds of finding someone who meets your dating criteria.

5. Become a Blind Dating Machine.
You may wonder why having a drink with a total stranger is a good way to spend an evening? Because he or she could be the one! Thanks to TiVo, you won’t miss your favorite episode of Desperate Housewives or Survivor. So get off the couch and start meeting new people. It only takes one!

Looking for a date, but sick of the bar scene and tired of logging on to your favorite dating site? Wish you’d never tried that night of speed dating? Here are 10 original suggestions on where to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right, straight from the front lines – people in the dating world who have been there, done that.

1. “Go to reunions – high school, college, whatever. I know so many people who have ended up marrying or at least seriously dating somebody they re-met at a reunion. And let me tell you, it’s never the person they dated in high school or even liked in high school. It’s always somebody they never would have thought twice about.”
Susan – Chicago, Illinois
2. “I once saw some cute guys coming out of a building after work and walking down the street. I literally ran around the block so that I could ‘accidentally’ bump into them head-on. Sure enough, they invited me to get some drinks with them, and I ended up going on a couple of dates with one of them. The ‘accidental’ bump is a good one, if you can pull it off naturally.”
Anne B – San Francisco, California
3. “We met at the dog run. He had a golden retriever, I had a shepherd mix. All four of us clicked immediately.”
J. – San Juan, Puerto Rico
4. “Keep your eyes, and mind, open. You may find a great boyfriend in the most unlikely place. I had to drive a co-worker to work for awhile after he broke his leg. We got to talk a lot and to know each other pretty well, and we ended up dating. He’s now my husband.”
M.B. – San Francisco, California
5. “There is no ‘best place’ to meet Mister Right. There’s only Mister Right! I met the man I married when I was on vacation in Israel. At the end of the vacation, he asked for my phone number, then introduced me to his friend as his future wife. Ten months later we moved in together.”
Beatrice – Miami, Florida
6. “The best way to meet people is not to go to bars or clubs: volunteer at a shelter or a park cleanup instead. There you get to see people in a different light (and also in daylight!). Under these circumstances you can see if a person is a hard worker or lazy, and also how he works and plays with others.”
Jenny – Denton, Texas
7. “I met my wife shoeing horses on the Bicentennial wagon train when it came through my town in the Shenandoah Valley.”
Paul Long – New Hope, Virginia
8. “Best place to meet women? It’s coincidentally also the best place to meet men – conventions! These are great places to meet people with similar interests and to spend time mingling. And there won’t be any loud music, so you can talk.”
Doug Lofton – Waikoloa, Hawaii
9. “I met a girl once in the DMV line. It was awesome. We had two hours to get to know each other before I asked her out on a date. I guess traffic school could be a good place to meet someone, too – at least you know you have something in common.”
Bill – Sacramento, California
10. “Don’t focus on dating. Focus on doing things that make you happy. Find things you’re passionate about and do those things and you have a better chance of meeting someone there, when you’re not looking. Don’t do activities to meet a guy. Focus on making yourself happy.”
Peggy – St. Petersburg, Florida

What is Speed Dating?
Speed Dating originated in the late 1990′s and utilizes a round-robin format to help daters meet several people one-on-one at the same event. Each date typically lasts ten minutes or less before you move onto the next potential mate.

Is Ten Minutes Enough Time?
You may not know in ten minutes or less if you want to marry the person, but you can often tell if you at least want to see them again. Plus, if you know right away it’s a mismatch at least you’re not stuck sitting through a boring dinner waiting for the check.

Is Contact Information Exchanged?
Typically no contact information is exchanged at the end of each speed date. Rather, at the end of the evening, each dater submits a list of people they would like to see again. The event organizers look for matches and provide contact information to both parties for each match made.

So now you know the basics, but what should you wear and talk about at a Speed Dating event, and how should you act to improve your chances of finding that special someone?

What Do You Wear for Speed Dating?
The key in choosing your outfit is to dress attractively without dressing to attract. In other words, your goal is to meet a potential mate, not just attract attention, particularly from the wrong kind of person. A good rule of thumb is to look at yourself in the mirror before leaving and determine if any particular article of clothing or exposed body part could be distracting. If you pass this test, you’ll know the people you meet will be able to focus on you, not your clothes or a body part.

What Do You Talk About?
Speed Dating is not all about flirting, rather it’s about getting to know a set of new people quickly and efficiently. In general, focus on topics appropriate for a first date. In other words, this is not the time to vent about relationships gone wrong or brag about your sexual conquests.

How Do You Act?
It can be tempting to be something you’re not. After all, you are trying to impress others at Speed Dating events. However, keep in mind that putting up a false front will not ultimately help you reach your goal of a committed relationship. In the end, if you act like yourself you’ll know that others are meeting the real you and expressing interest in the person they’ll date if the relationship progresses.

Where Do You Find Speed Dating Opportunities?
Google “speed dating” and you’re sure to come across opportunities. Also, try Speed Dating online at Lavalife.

2.   Use a realistic photograph.
Submit a quality, current photograph of yourself, but nothing that wildly misrepresents your actual appearance.

3.   Describe yourself accurately.
Answer questions honestly about your height, weight, race, religion, etc. Be accurate, not deceptive. Accurate: “I’m six feet, 180 pounds, with short brown hair and glasses.” Deceptive: “I’m an intellectual Adonis.”

4.   Come across optimistic.
Write in an upbeat style. Similarly, don’t apologize for posting. Be positive and assertive.

5.   Be brief and clear.
Format your posting so it’s easy to read. In other words, make your sentences and paragraphs brief. Also, don’t stuff your postings with words; that’s a turn off. Make sure you leave plenty of white space.

6.   Avoid spelling mistakes.
Spell-check your posting.

7.   Be clear about why you’re posting.
If the person reading your requirements doesn’t fit them, they shouldn’t waste their time reading further.

8.   Explain what makes you who you are.
Use adjectives and add detail, i.e., “I’m a playful 32 year old architect who likes to relax by reading mystery novels.”

9.   Share what you like best in a partner.
Don’t be negative or cruel. Instead, say what you want, i.e., “A guy who knows the difference between Monet and Manet, yet can also clean-and-press a 150 pound barbell.”

10.   When you respond to others’ posts, show them that you actually read what they wrote, and aren’t just turned on by their picture or physical description.

I was going out with this guy Jack and we had been going out for about three months maybe a bit more and I really liked him. He is seriously in love with me. In fact, last time we had a fight he started punching brick fences and cried over me because he thought I would break up with him.

Then about a month later I thought he was cheating on me because nobody knew where he was. He just left my house because he got jealous when I was talking to his friend Matt and so Matt and I went looking for him and couldn’t find him.

We went to his house and he wasn’t there. We called him but he wasn’t answering. Anyway then I hear from someone that he went and saw his ex-girlfriend Sarah. I didn’t believe it at first because I thought why would he take the chance if he really loved me.

But then I found a text on his phone in the sent box saying “Can I come to your house now, I’m by myself.” I asked him about it but he just denied sending it and said he didn’t know how it got there.

Then a few nights after this I went to my friend Mel’s boyfriend’s party and I got convinced by Mel that Jack did cheat on me. So I got pretty drunk and I ended up hooking up with this hot guy Steve. The next day he wanted to see me again and I didn’t know what to do. I decided to go just to see what he was like and of course he was really nice and funny.

But before I went and saw Steve again I broke up with my boyfriend Jack over the whole cheating thing and he was really upset and kept trying to re-call me. I felt so guilty I cried all day and hardly slept at night. I didn’t eat much either.

I decided that I thought Jack was really genuine and that I missed him too much to just let him go, but now I’m faced with the problem of breaking it off with Steve because he asked me out. But I said if we could just take it slow because I told him I only broke up with my ex about two days before I met him and he was okay with it.

But now I have to break it off with Steve when I do like him and I wish he had come along at another time.

1.   Do You Mean It? Decide if you really want to say “I love you” or if you have an ulterior motive. Escalating a relationship to the love phase for sexual, financial, or other secondary reasons only causes problems down the road.

2.   Will it be Reciprocated? Calculate whether or not you believe your partner is at the same juncture. If you partner is using phrases like, “I’m falling for you”, “I’ve never felt this way”, or “I could spend forever with you”, there’s a good chance your “I love you” will be reciprocated.

3.   How Will the Message be Delivered? Decide the best way to communicate the message based on you and your partner’s style. If your partner loves text messages or emails, consider a cyber-expression. If your partner is the spontaneous type, then mix the “I love you” into a fun-filled evening together.

4.   Can you Back it Up? Saying “I love you” for the first time will be more meaningful and impactful if you back it up with a few reasons. Tell your partner what you love about them, whether it’s their gentle spirit, passionate kisses, or optimistic outlook on life.

5.   Will you Take the Pressure Off? Your partner may respond positively immediately or they may be caught off guard and need some time to let the moment sink in. If your partner doesn’t respond right away, give it a chance. There’s no reason to cause a fight. Just because you’ve been planning this moment, remember it’s new and possibly out of the blue for your partner.

6.   Are you Ready for the Next Step? Don’t get fooled into believing all the pressure is lifted once “I love you” is on the table from both parties. Escalating a relationship to the “I love you” phase opens the door to discussing long term commitment and possibly marriage. Be ready for the next steps if you say “I love you”.