We would make a great match- let me tell you why....

Today as I sipped my Darjeeling tea at my work desk and browsed through my daily news sources (Cnn & Washington Post are a must!) I was surprised to find an article in the WP on dating, amidst all the articles on our failing economy. Matchmakers, Matchmakers, Making a Mint was intriguing enough for me to ignore the politics page for a few moments as I delved into an article about online dating for singles in our nation.

While I am familiar with online dating sites, I was surprised to learn that there were people one could hire to edit or write their personal profile, coach them on dating techniques, and act as a wing man (yes, a wing man!). I started to become flustered as I read this article. I've used some form of online dating for the past year and I haven't had any help from so called professionals. In the article, an owner of one such company states that there are many great women and men [single] in DC who just don't know how to market themselves. Really? Do you honestly think that the reason why I am single is because I don't know how to...market myself? And do I really want to go on a date with someone who wasn't original enough to create their own profile and had profession help? I feel cheated enough when going on dates with people I've met online- I don't want to find out that someone coaxed them on what to say and how to act. I'm not going out with you to see the persona your dating guru mustered up for you- I want to go out on a date with you, the REAL you.

My online dating profile is unique and interesting and I get a lot of responses. Most men write to me because we have something in common, a large majority write to me to compliment my pictures (usually my smile or to remark on the comical pic of me inside of a trash can), and a smaller percentage don't even take the time to write out a well thought message but instead simply say "hi", "you're gorgeous" or some form of slang or pet name like "shorty, baby, hottie, etc". A tip for those on these sites: I do not take the time to respond to someone who doesn't take the time to write an actual message to me upon first contact. I don't care if you look like a Greek god- a simple "hey" is not going to catch my attention. Delete. For those of you who think it's cute to call a lady some sort of pet name or use slang like "damn shorty, you're fine" while giving out your phone number, I've got news for you- I'm not interested in being your princess or calling you at whatever number you provide. You obviously have no respect for me. Give your number to someone who cares.

I will respond to messages that are well thought, grammatically correct, and show that the sender took the time to read my profile and is responding directly to it. If they mention something we have in common or recommend a book I might like, I realize that they took the time to read my profile- I appreciate that and I will return the favor. Chances are I'll find their profile interesting as well. In a profile I look for commonalities, maturity, interesting qualities and academic interests. I don't necessarily want to date someone who has a lot of things in common with me but I have recently discovered that a love of reading and writing is a highly desirable quality that I want in someone I date. As you start to date more and more people you'll also realize what qualities are more desiring and which are unattractive.

We all differ in what we are looking for in a date and a potential life partner. I feel that dating sites have too many people that are looking for intimate encounters or random play, or are rebounding from a recent breakup. These people are what is wrong with free dating sites such as OkCupid and Plentyoffish. Perhaps they should create a more stringent screening process- or create another site simply for those who are interested in hanging out or hooking up. It amazes me that dating sites have various options of what type of relationship you want including friends, hang out, intimate encounters, and options for married and attached individuals. Seriously, take these people off of these sites. Create a site where only those interested in dating can join. It will weed out all of those who are not serious about a long term relationship. I realize there are sites like this now, such as Eharmony and match.com, but those sites are not free. Someone needs to create a free site dedicated to dating, and only dating- or else I'm going to beat them to the punch!

The best things about DC!

Diversity One of the reasons I fell in love with DC is its diversity. I grew up in a small community in the country where minorities were almost non existant. The only way I was exposed to any diversity was through books and movies. When I came to DC I was amazed at the diversity. I met people from all different races, backgrounds, and cultures of life. It was exhilarating to experience first hand how diverse our country really is. I became very attracted to the Arab culture after taking Arabic as my foregin language credit freshman year. In the end, I switched from my original major of criminal justice to something much more intereting and diverse- Islamic Studies. I love DC because I am exposed to people of different cultures on a daily basis. I've learned so much about this world, just by the amazing people that I have met while living in DC.

Halloween- Ok, so this may not seem serious but it is! One of my favorite holidays is Halloween,closely followed by St. Patricks Day! I never went trick or treating when I was younger- my parents were conservative in that aspect. After being exposed to Halloween in DC I realized that trick or treating was a thing of the past. If Halloween happens to fall on Thursday or Friday, the celebration continues all week long. People celebrate Halloween for about 3 weeks (I kid you not!). The weekend before Halloween one will find pre-celebratory get togethers. The weekend after one will find post-celebratory get togethers. The week/weekend of Halloween one will see masses of individuals in costumes roaming the streets obliterated. If you are ever in DC during Halloween it is a must that you take a stroll (in full Halloween costume!) through the streets of Georgetown and Adams Morgan. You'll regret it if you don't!

p.s.- It's the one day of the year when girls can dress like whores and not be judged! Even though Halloween in DC is usually very chilly or even freezing cold all the girls will be dressed in the least conservative way possible. Hell, I'm sure snow wouldn't even stop them. I know it wouldn't stop me!



March Madness- I was never really a big sports fan until I came to DC. Maybe it was the thrill of cheering on my univeristy team, but I was immediately allured to the fun that is March Madness. My first two years in college, GWU achieved relative local fame from their success during the season and NCAA. I loved cheering on my team during the championship games! Unfortunately for my remaining two years in school our team didn't do as well as the previous two years. I learned to appreciate the NCAA tournament regardless of whether my team was in it or not. One of my favorite things about March Madness is creating pools amongst friends and coworkers. (I actually did very well this year-I chose the final four correctly!) And of course another delight of March Madness that I welcome with open arms is the opportunity to drink countless beer for a few weeks. There is no feeling quite like that of rooting for a team during a March Madness game. You create a bond with the ones you are watching it with (I like watching the games in a bar- there are usually specials on drinks and you meet a lot of really awesome, hyped up people). Try watching a few games next March- go to a fun pub or sports bar!



Politics- Everyone who is anyone in national politics gets started or eventually ends up in the DC area. Many individuals flock to DC universities such as Georgetown and George Washington to study politics. It is a well known fact that if you ask a student in DC what his or her major is it will more than likely be political science or international affairs. Don't believe? Walk through campus and ask a random student. Told ya! That being said, with so many eager, doe eyed youngsters with the itch for politics it is common place to be involved in a political debate on a frequent basis. For some reason these people love to debate politics, of all places at the bar. Copious amounts of alcohol and a politically heated debate makes for quite an interesting night! If you're lucky enough to be in DC during election year you are in for a treat! I can still vividly remember day of November 4th, 2004. We crowded 20 or so students into one dorm room and watched as the election results were tallied. As the night wore on many of us began nursing our beers and mixed drinks and began bitching about the Republicans remaining in the White House. Washington DC is very liberal and almost everyone you meet is a Democrat (with the exception of most military people). Finding a Republican in DC is like Christmas. Democrats will eat 'em alive!

Military- One of my personal favorite things about living in DC is the number of military bases in the area. With the Marine barracks at 8th and I, Army at Ft. Myer, Air Force at Bolling, and Navy at Annapolis there is an endless supply of drunken soldiers roaming through the streets of DC. Over the years I've made some great friends in the military. They sure know how to party! If you want to party with some soldiers they are quite easy to find in Dc. Hawk n' Dove is a favorite of many, as is Bailey's in VA. Happy partying!

DC Rants

The metro- As much as I love public transportation, I hate it at the same time for various reasons. I always carry a tiny bottle of Purrell with me when traveling on the metro. I try my hardest not to touch the greasy, germ infected poles and seats but alas this cannot always be avoided as I most certainly need something to hold on to because most of the drivers come to abrupt stops without informing anyone.

Rush hour- Rush hour in DC is a complete zoo. Overworked people race to their nearest form of transportation so they can escape the work day and go home to be with their families, friends, pets, or alcohol. Drivers on the street disregard everything they learned about driving and cause mass panic by overzealously honking their horns and swerving around cars and pedestrians so as not to impact them. If you are unlucky enough to take the metro during rush hour you are most certainly sure to be crammed in a train with some 20 more individuals than the car can hold. One is most certainly in risk of being molested- a breast on your soldier, a businessman's briefcase riding on your butt, a sketchy guys hands perilously close to places you don't want them to be. During rush hour on the metro, you're never a stranger.

Pedestrians- People in the city act like idiots. The most irksome thing an individual can do in the city is walk slowly in front of me on the sidewalk with no intent of letting me pass by even though I'm walking like 4mph faster than they are. Another irritating thing that pedestrians love to do in this city is walk in groups, side by side, on the sidewalk. They take up the entire sidewalk and no one can get around them. Argh!

Weather- Let's face it, DC weather is atrocious! The summers are usually stifling hot and humid (although this summer was surprisingly cooler). It gets ridiculously cold in the winter (I'm from South Carolina- I hate cold winters!). After the first snowfall the city of DC removes it from the roads by pushing it out of the road and up on the sidewalks. Thus, without fail, in the winter I always slip and bust my ass on the slushy mess of snow and ice that has built up on the sidewalks. Spring in DC is marked with frequent rainfall that seems to never end. The rain in DC is never gentle- it likes to pour down from the skies, drenching anyone who has forgotten to bring an umbrella with them to work, which is unfortunately a habit of mine.

Canvassers- Not a day goes by that I am not accosted outside of the metro, my work, or even Starbucks by glassy eyed young people eager to spread their word on religion, politics, or the environment. When I am unlucky enough not to have my sunglasses on I swiftly move past them, shifting my eyes to the ground to avoid eye contact. Once you make eye contact, you're fucked. Never, never make eye contact. These individuals are essentially harmless but once you give them your attention they will try to educate you on their cause while trying to convince you to sign their petition or donate money.

Clubs- With the close of Lulu's Night Club in DC my sophomore year in college, I am convinced that there are no good clubs in the city anymore. I used to frequent clubs when I was younger, as one could enter a club at 18 but not a bar. After Lulu's closed I had to succumb to going to clubs such as Platinum and Fur. These clubs were always ridiculously overcrowded. The drinks were expensive and the men leering in the shadows were all sketch. Those that had the balls to approach you would start dancing, getting all up in your space while trying to touch you. A few years ago, a girl friend and I went to Platinum by ourselves (yes, stupid move I now realize). Four incredibly creepy guys surrounded us on all sides and began dancing around our bodies. We broke through the circle, tossed our drinks and got the hell out of there. After that experience I am leery of going to more clubs in DC. What's the point? I'll take my drinks at the bar, thank you.

My Top Ten Favorite Bars in DC

Last year my best friend and I started a weekly tradition after both turning 21. Each Friday we chose a new bar to attend for happy hour drinks. In doing so, we became more acquainted with the city and the people within it. This is a list of my favorite drinking spots in the city- enjoy!

Soussis- From the outside it looks like any other run down bar in Adams Morgan but the interior is hip and modern with dim lighting, illiminated only by candles. The outside patio is packed all year round, as is the upstairs lounge room. Downstairs hosts a bar and a few tables lined against a wall. The staff is young and fun and the drinks are tasty and well made (re: lots of alcohol!). The bar also offers hookah, a fruity flavored tobacco smoked out of a water pipe. If you’re going to Soussis on the weekend and you want a table, come before 10:30pm because after it gets so packed it is standing room only and the wait for a table can take a long time.

Toledo Lounge- This bar is an interesting find in the heart of Adams Morgan. It’s very eclectic, as are its bartenders and customers. There’s a jukebox in the corner but always hesitate playing any music as this is not your “top 40 hits” type of place. Even if you play the classics, you better choose the right song or you’ll be endlessly scoffed at. If you’re feeling adventurous, ask for their infamous stripper shot- I always do!


Peyeote- There is nothing I love better than singing while obnoxiously drunk. I guess you could say that’s why I’m enthusiastically drawn to this bar every time I am in Adams Morgan. The crowd is great-a bunch of inebriated college students and young professionals belting tunes on the karaoke machine or singing along from the crowd. The music chosen always energizes the crowds. Last weekend the crowd went crazy when a girl sang “All I want for Christmas”. It was the first weekend of September. We didn’t care.


Mediterra- This is a rare gem in DC. My friend and I stumbled upon it one Friday during our quest for happy hours. A sign outside advertising $5 martinis and sangria enticed us and before we knew it we found ourselves sitting at the bar of this shockingly posh restaurant. The drinks were $5 as promised and unexpectedly yummy. Between the two of us we managed to taste test more than half of their specialty martinis that night. Within two weekends we had tried them all. We were hooked. The bar is very small and unlike other places in the area is never packed. In fact, there is usually no one at the bar when we arrive (to give them credit there are only like 10 seats at the bar). This is the place to go when you want a cheap drink at a very nice, impressive place. I once drunkenly discussed politics with an older man in an expensive suit. I’m quite sure he was a Senator or Congressman. Too bad I was too drunk to remember.

Nathan’s- I absolutely adored going to this bar my senior year in college. It was located in Georgetown, a short walk from my dorm room. Nathan’s is always a mix of professionals ranging from the underage (but only if they have a fabulous fake) to the one’s so old you question whether their liver can take another sip of the bourbon in their sinewy hands. People are also very generous when doting out drinks. I’ve probably had more free drinks from guys at this bar than anywhere else in the city.


Tortilla Coast- Ok, so this is a restaurant but I still feel that it belongs on this list because of its amazing frozen margaritas. Seriously, hands down, BEST frozen margaritas in the city! The food is pretty amazing as well, but damn, yummy margs. It’s located in Capitol South so if you’re doing a night of drinking it’s more convenient to stop here first for dinner and drinks. You won’t regret it. Try the swirl margarita.


Fox and Hound- Where do I begin with this place? It’s a must to hit up for happy hour. $2 rail drink specials are their specialty but don’t expect a fancy mixed drink. Diet and rum? No problem. Gin and Tonic? You’ve got it! They serve your alcohol in a tall glass, a copious amount of alcohol might I add, and provide a small bottle of mixer. It’s up to you to add the mixer to your alcohol. The overflowing glasses of liquor have barely enough room for the addition of a splash of mixer. Fox and Hound knows how to do it right- one drink is more than enough to get you well on you way to becoming drunk!


Froggy Bottom Pub- Oh how I love thee! This is the bar I most frequented during my days as a student at GWU. It is located in the downstairs of a restaurant. Its food is always piping hot and sure to quench the massive hunger many students acquire from pregaming in the dorms. A pool table is stationed in the middle of the small room and various tables and booths surround it. It is always interesting to watch the never ending games. The drinks are cheap and often strongly made. Earlier in the evening the crowd is usually much older but as the night begins and students start to arrive the pub mainly becomes populated by college aged students.


51st State- This two story bar was another favorite of mine as an undergraduate at GW. Centrally located between campus and Georgetown, 51st State is a great bar to first stop at for the night. The downstairs area tended to bore me, as the seats are divided by booths and don’t allow for much interaction with other customers. However, the upstairs scene is much different. A jukebox as well as a pool table grace the upstairs area and draws a considerably larger crowd than downstairs. It’s a great place to grab a few beers and hang out with friends, as well as make new ones. During the week they have popular happy hour specials such as 10 cent tacos and wings.


Hamilton's Bar and Grille- I happened along this bar once when my friend dragged me to attend something his co-worker was invited to. Otherwise I would have never found this place, as it is tucked far away on Capitol Hill away from other bars and well, any other sign of night life. Despite the area and lack of people on the outside, the inside of this bar is like none other I have experienced. The downstairs bar is for older, boring people with no lives but the upstairs bar is basically an all night long frat party. A large, empty room is prepared for the setup of not one, but two beer pong tables. With PBR’s only a $1 this is an opportunity that everyone takes advantage of. If beer pong doesn’t appeal to you there are also two dart boards. If you lack these skills you can always stumble across the room to play Guitar Hero- yep, that’s right. Didn’t I tell you this place was awesome?