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I can't speak for others, but had no luck seeking a mate (passively or not) online, at any site. Joel Send a noteboard - 23/03/2011 12:32:57 AM
I used to joke and still believe that wotmania had a better success rate at matchmaking than did EHarmony and the like, because nearly everyone who found a date/partner/mate/spouse/whatever at wotmania didn't COME to wotmania for that purpose. Instead, people came to a site catering to their other interests, met a lot of people with whom they had at least one (and usually several) strong interests and interacted with them naturally. Over time they discovered more common interests with some people and/or developed friendships, in some cases that grew into strong attraction and in more than a few that, in turn, blossomed into a strong romantic relationship. Certainly the fact that regular large scale Gatherings were more common helped; it's one thing to talk all the time online, but until you spend time together in person it's usually impossible to know whether you'll have the same (or more) chemistry or if it'll become awkward in an instant and only get worse. I was only there for the last half of wotmanias existence, but that's what I observed, though it was several years before I began to appreciate all the dynamics involved. From that I drew two conclusions:

1) Just like any other environment where there's a reasonable probability of finding a "significant other", it's best if it happens naturally, and almost impossible if you try to force it.

2) Few if any long term couples who met through wotmania were seeking a partner at wotmania, either actively and consciously or passively and subconsciously, when they found each other.

I feel confident in those conclusions simply because, while I didn't come for that purpose, during most of my stay at wotmania I was passively looking, usually without realizing it. I gained some good friends in the process, but every episode with legitimately romantic dimensions ended quickly and with bruised feelings (though none as bad as another such episode at another site). A large part of that was undeniably me; I wanted a relationship but was not "relationship ready", but it took meeting an nice attractive woman who was equally eager and unready to show me that: There was never any chance, not because of the environment, but because of us; neither of us was capable of a healthy relationship, and the combination was a disaster. So I finally did a lot of belated growing up, accepted that until I could be happy with just me and God no one I added to that situation would magically make me happy, and quit even passively seeking a partner, online or elsewhere.

Within a few weeks I met the woman I married last Saturday; we were happy apart, but together we make each other much happiER.

That's my two cents, lest you draw the same wrong conclusions I once did about how much love is in the air at wotmania or RAFO. If you're sure you're ready, don't miss an opportunity when presented with mutual attraction, but don't try, um, forcing a square peg into a round hole, if you'll excuse the metaphor. It tends to be very hard on the hole, and often on the peg as well. If you just ended a relationship, it might be a good idea to take some quality time with yourself, both to examine why it ended, with an eye to avoiding making the same mistakes (or choosing the same bad matches) and to simply enjoy a little solitude and appreciate how fulfilling your life is in itself, without needing to share it with someone else. The other thing I learned the hard way despite people trying to tell me for years is that while it's OK to WANT a partner it's very bad to NEED one.

There are certainly plenty of fine women here, a number of whom are single (and that's by no means limited to those who've already responded, but I'm not nominating anyone). Just let it happen naturally; instead of asking who's single and finding out if you're attracted to each other, spend time talking with people for the sake of doing it, and if/when you find a woman with whom there's a mutual liking find out if she's single. Good luck and God bless with all future prospects, romantic and otherwise. Sorry if I maundered on a bit, but having done foolish things for the wrong reasons I'd hate to inadvertently encourage anyone to do the same thing; doing it right is a lot more fun and a lot less painful both for ourselves and those around us.

Honorbound and honored to be Bonded to Mahtaliel Sedai
Last First in wotmania Chat
Slightly better than chocolate.

Love still can't be coerced.
Please Don't Eat the Newbies!

LoL. Be well, RAFOlk.
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Any single ladies here? - 21/03/2011 03:12:36 PM 1645 Views
I say look in your area! - 21/03/2011 03:28:29 PM 995 Views
You seem to be speaking from experience - 21/03/2011 03:39:36 PM 796 Views
Both. - 21/03/2011 03:55:36 PM 939 Views
What have I ever done to you? *NM* - 21/03/2011 04:03:36 PM 435 Views
- 21/03/2011 09:23:12 PM 850 Views
And here I was trying to be nice... *NM* - 21/03/2011 06:38:24 PM 425 Views
But everyone is hooking up here! - 21/03/2011 03:47:03 PM 923 Views
Most guys who are balding look better with a close crop. - 21/03/2011 03:56:22 PM 877 Views
Re: Most guys who are balding look better with a close crop. - 21/03/2011 03:58:25 PM 795 Views
I thought that that was impotence? - 21/03/2011 09:22:48 PM 868 Views
Whoa whoa whoa - 21/03/2011 09:34:15 PM 833 Views
Me!! *raises hand* - 21/03/2011 04:41:49 PM 877 Views
Oh reeeeeaaaalllllyyyy.... - 21/03/2011 05:11:45 PM 832 Views
Maybe you're right... - 21/03/2011 05:45:12 PM 733 Views
Home of the Gophers - 21/03/2011 05:50:08 PM 839 Views
Is living in the US a criteria? - 21/03/2011 08:19:15 PM 947 Views
Not necessarily - 21/03/2011 08:29:50 PM 775 Views
I'm still in the game then! - 21/03/2011 08:34:19 PM 783 Views
One of the advantages to our over priced system is it pays well - 21/03/2011 08:38:37 PM 778 Views
Re: I'm still in the game then! - 21/03/2011 08:44:43 PM 779 Views
I was about to say that my soul isn't for sale.. - 22/03/2011 08:41:21 AM 927 Views
Nobody can resist a foot massage - 22/03/2011 11:58:15 AM 918 Views
er, sorta? *NM* - 21/03/2011 06:41:31 PM 495 Views
Sorta single? *NM* - 21/03/2011 06:44:32 PM 472 Views
yes - 21/03/2011 06:51:12 PM 885 Views
Ahh British - 21/03/2011 06:59:23 PM 820 Views
london, me old china - 21/03/2011 07:03:31 PM 770 Views
Hmm intriguing - 21/03/2011 07:10:36 PM 850 Views
yeah - 21/03/2011 07:19:18 PM 853 Views
Re: yeah - 21/03/2011 07:28:55 PM 735 Views
This is possibly my favourite post ever. *NM* - 21/03/2011 07:18:49 PM 455 Views
Hehe - 21/03/2011 07:30:04 PM 911 Views
The original post, although the replies are funny too. *NM* - 21/03/2011 08:42:58 PM 478 Views
I am to please - 21/03/2011 08:48:11 PM 870 Views
Heh. - 21/03/2011 08:49:53 PM 942 Views
Re: Heh. - 21/03/2011 08:53:02 PM 746 Views
Don't you use the screen name Joel sometimes? - 21/03/2011 08:55:37 PM 821 Views
Ha! - 21/03/2011 08:57:45 PM 828 Views
How dare you, sir?! I haven't flirted at Bekah in years. - 23/03/2011 12:38:34 AM 702 Views
don't worry no one will believe it is you - 23/03/2011 12:55:37 AM 813 Views
Meh; most of my "tangents" aren't that tangential. - 27/03/2011 03:19:54 AM 1039 Views
It might help if you say what your culture is. *NM* - 21/03/2011 07:19:46 PM 495 Views
Oops sorry - 21/03/2011 07:31:36 PM 865 Views
Well he did say he was from Texas so - 21/03/2011 08:29:38 PM 748 Views
No not true - 21/03/2011 08:31:47 PM 801 Views
I said a plus - 21/03/2011 08:40:32 PM 945 Views
You should hook up with Darth Katie... - 21/03/2011 09:50:18 PM 811 Views
Lol *NM* - 21/03/2011 09:56:29 PM 483 Views
Hahahaha *NM* - 21/03/2011 11:10:06 PM 461 Views
*NM* - 22/03/2011 02:39:49 PM 493 Views
Hahaha that's like Nephtis and mapthis all over again. - 22/03/2011 10:35:07 PM 724 Views
Likewise, I miss Gavroche, but I don't miss the confusion. *NM* - 22/03/2011 10:38:16 PM 463 Views
Wait, you are NOT Gavroche?? *NM* - 22/03/2011 10:49:33 PM 408 Views
As surely as you are iron lad - 22/03/2011 11:41:26 PM 909 Views
'ow do you do? Moi name's Gavroche. - 23/03/2011 01:39:42 AM 798 Views
That's why I changed it!! - 22/03/2011 10:48:34 PM 768 Views
Cool! What was it before? *NM* - 22/03/2011 11:28:22 PM 394 Views
Jedi_Elf_Aes Sedai *NM* - 22/03/2011 11:41:32 PM 442 Views
I don't know that anyone was surprised by that being a girl's name, *NM* - 23/03/2011 12:00:16 AM 416 Views
Or confuse it with Dark Knight, for that matter. *NM* - 23/03/2011 12:17:42 AM 471 Views
I thought it was pretty clear too. - 23/03/2011 02:34:34 AM 872 Views
Maybe you shouldn't have played male characters there *NM* - 23/03/2011 08:20:37 PM 395 Views
Nah - 21/03/2011 10:56:58 PM 736 Views
Belals Girl, Yunalesca, and Maria are all single - 21/03/2011 11:04:41 PM 1121 Views
Everybody has nice eyes. - 22/03/2011 10:22:41 PM 734 Views
And it's usually commented on when the person is butt-ugly and you can't say anything. - 22/03/2011 10:31:42 PM 793 Views
Well I didn't go that far. - 22/03/2011 10:45:16 PM 802 Views
Re: Well I didn't go that far. - 22/03/2011 11:47:52 PM 787 Views
Re: Well I didn't go that far. - 23/03/2011 12:28:39 AM 938 Views
Dammit. - 23/03/2011 01:42:20 AM 972 Views
Doesn't mean they're not true! - 23/03/2011 02:06:22 AM 735 Views
ok, and now I notice you word choice: "striking" - 22/03/2011 10:48:45 PM 747 Views
Some people just do have really striking eyes though - 22/03/2011 10:56:31 PM 799 Views
That's true. - 22/03/2011 11:20:04 PM 779 Views
I didn't want to engage in an outright lie. - 23/03/2011 12:44:04 AM 854 Views
Re: I didn't want to engage in an outright lie. - 23/03/2011 02:08:36 AM 719 Views
Not true - 22/03/2011 10:50:29 PM 925 Views
Re: Not true - 22/03/2011 11:01:47 PM 790 Views
Re: Not true - 22/03/2011 11:08:25 PM 793 Views
Of course it's a personal preference. - 22/03/2011 11:37:35 PM 964 Views
lol, It's not "a guy" - 23/03/2011 01:15:04 AM 1103 Views
Here's a really blond guy singing it. - 23/03/2011 01:23:55 AM 817 Views
Aaaah, it's mere nationalism. - 24/03/2011 11:34:44 AM 1393 Views
Counterpoint to me! - 22/03/2011 11:42:23 PM 790 Views
I think I can carry on an entire debate with myself - 22/03/2011 11:51:29 PM 755 Views
But I don't want to... - 23/03/2011 12:19:32 AM 867 Views
I'm so vain/superficial! - 23/03/2011 12:32:19 AM 768 Views
You prob'ly think this sub-thread is about you. - 23/03/2011 12:35:24 AM 902 Views
Re: Not true - 22/03/2011 11:48:46 PM 909 Views
Hey! - 23/03/2011 03:47:28 AM 1150 Views
Yours are fine - 23/03/2011 08:14:03 AM 966 Views
You have smiley eyes. - 23/03/2011 01:38:30 PM 723 Views
Not everyone, or at least not always - 22/03/2011 11:17:03 PM 768 Views
hahaha, that doesn't count! - 22/03/2011 11:27:50 PM 780 Views
I can't speak for others, but had no luck seeking a mate (passively or not) online, at any site. - 23/03/2011 12:32:57 AM 1014 Views
Goodness, you always respond so seriously... - 23/03/2011 03:57:47 PM 871 Views
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHheUVcdqTQ - 24/03/2011 11:40:43 AM 892 Views
Another popular song with the same idea. - 23/03/2011 01:52:31 AM 1025 Views

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