I'm tired of being alone.

[Sannum]

Recently, I have come to the realization that I am all alone in my life, except for work and friends who already have signafigant others. I don't want to be. I try to meet people, but I am usually so exhausted by the end of the day that I just want to go home and have quiet. Most guys I meet are meatheads to be honest - no interest in politics or current events, and that is not who I want to spend time with. The last guy I dated was a Libertarian, and that didn't work out...

I feel like the last single gal out in the world. Where oh where are the intelligent, funny single guys out there? I am young, pretty good looking, smart...has it always been this difficult? I live in a wonderful city, but since I don't hang out at Cubs games or at bars, I feel like I am an alien. I prefer books over beer. I prefer a quiet dinner and a conversation about the Election and the 50 state strategy over a noisy nightclub. I am complicated and I want someone to embrace me for that too, just as I embrace it.

This is a pathetic late-night rant that I will probably end up deleting. Sigh.

[Aristus]

1. Have you tried hanging out at the library or bookstores?

Or how about recognized liberal hang-outs in your area? Coffee shops, "Drinking Liberally"-approved bars and clubs.

Is there a university near you? You could hang out at nearby lunch joints and cafes and run into as many young, liberal, smart guys as you can handle.

[reyd reid reed]

2. Those are some excellent ideas.

It's been so long, I couldn't think of anyplace.

[Aristus]

6. I remember seeing a report on a youth-oriented channel a number of years ago

that talked about bookstores being great places to flirt and meet people.

[RetroLounge]

9. "bookstores being great places to flirt "

Uhm...

:9

RL

[Aristus]

11. Oh HEY! That's right!

So tell me, Retro. Is your store a real meat-market? B-)

[RetroLounge]

15. Totally!

:D

RL

[Sannum]

3. Not that young, lol.

I am in my mid 20's, so I am afraid hanging around a university would qualify me to be in some class of Cougar-dom.

I have tried "Drinking Liberally". Everyone seems to have their own little groups and couplings. Hence my frustration at being the last single girl in this city! I am also not a big drinker - though during this election, it has been awfully tempting :)

[Aristus]

4. I just turned 40, and am attending the University of Washington. There are people of various

ages all around campus. People a little older than "college age" who are getting a second start on their education...

Give it a try...

[emilyg]

7. Don't set up roadblocks

Mid 20's is very young - I'm sure Universities have students in their 20's.

[achtung_circus]

8. Sannum,

mid-20's does not qualify you to be a cougar. From my perspective you are jailbait. :rofl:

[SidneyCarton]

19. Mid 20's? That's nowhere near cougardom.

I speak as a 26 year old.

[achtung_circus]

5. Although I am no longer young,

this sounds like where I was only 3 months ago. After my difficult divorce 5 years ago and after meeting some very odd women I had even stopped actively participating on the online dating sites.

Then I got a message and we agreed to meet for coffee. When I met her I felt like I had just been hit by a truck. We talk, we laugh, we smile and we have 1-1/2 hour late night phone conversations that make me feel 17 years old rather than the 52 that I am.

She is also the source of my current sig line.

So, you never know, every time you turn a corner a new world opens. Do NOT sell yourself short or settle. '

[Danger Mouse]

10. There are worse things than being single, as I found out the hard way

:banghead:

[harmonicon]

12. Are you in Chicago then?

Man, that's a great city - I miss it. It is huge on bars, but it also has one of the greatest coffee shop cultures I've ever encountered. Have you tried various "cultural" events/things? I mean, the symphony, jazz clubs, art museums and galleries (small is better). If you got to some art openings, you are assured to meet loads of single liberal, albeit poor, guys in their mid 20's. That's a guarantee.

You could also try placing a personal ad basically saying exactly what you've said here - I know you'd get takers. That's probably what all of those guys who feel the same way that you do are reading and not finding the woman who seems to be like them.

[Tom Kitten]

13. I can relate

Even though I'm 52 and still "young-looking" I've managed to be single my whole life. I hate it because I have such potential still but I do not know where I can apply my talents...It's hard even getting a "tryout" nowadays...

[amitten]

14. Welcome to my world.

But I'm about 10 years older. :cry:

[redqueen]

22. Mine too... but I'm 20 years older!

There are worse things... :pals:

[MissMillie]

16. Grab an oar, dear

only I need to add that I'm not all that young anymore. (Mind you, I'm not ancient, but there are few available men my age, and those that are available are mostly divorced men who never want to get married again.)

I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that I'll never find anyone remotely acceptable. It turns out that my standards are pretty impossible. You see, I actually want someone to care for me. Not to take care of me, mind you, but to care for me.

I grew up in a house w/ parents who never said no to each other.

I could spend the rest of my life saying "yes" to someone, as long as I knew they would do the same for me.

But they're just not out there.

[Crazy Dave]

17. Alone but not lonely is a good thing in my opinion

Sure a great relationship is nice but there were times when I was single and I'd talk to people that were in bad and abusive relationships and I'd think to myself, "glad I don't have to put up with that"

Hang in there and wait for the right one instead of anyone. Trust me, it may take a while, it may not but it will be worth it :)

[Callalily]

18. Have you thought of joining the

Young Professionals group? There are groups throughout the country.

http://www.ypchicago.org/Features/Public/Home.aspx?navid=102

[KG]

20. www.plentyoffish.com

you can hope somebody cool walks by you life, or you can be proactive.

best singles site on the net. and it's free.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

21. I can relate

27, alone, never been in a relationship, no hope of being in a relationship in th near future.

I undestand perfectly

[applegrove]

23. Join a book club. Volunteer at the Library. Pursue your interests.