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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 1693 Views
I say look in your area! - 21/03/2011 03:28:29 PM 1048 Views
You seem to be speaking from experience - 21/03/2011 03:39:36 PM 842 Views
Both. - 21/03/2011 03:55:36 PM 982 Views
What have I ever done to you? *NM* - 21/03/2011 04:03:36 PM 454 Views
- 21/03/2011 09:23:12 PM 901 Views
And here I was trying to be nice... *NM* - 21/03/2011 06:38:24 PM 442 Views
But everyone is hooking up here! - 21/03/2011 03:47:03 PM 962 Views
Most guys who are balding look better with a close crop. - 21/03/2011 03:56:22 PM 931 Views
Re: Most guys who are balding look better with a close crop. - 21/03/2011 03:58:25 PM 838 Views
I thought that that was impotence? - 21/03/2011 09:22:48 PM 917 Views
Whoa whoa whoa - 21/03/2011 09:34:15 PM 877 Views
Me!! *raises hand* - 21/03/2011 04:41:49 PM 922 Views
Oh reeeeeaaaalllllyyyy.... - 21/03/2011 05:11:45 PM 873 Views
Maybe you're right... - 21/03/2011 05:45:12 PM 776 Views
Home of the Gophers - 21/03/2011 05:50:08 PM 884 Views
Is living in the US a criteria? - 21/03/2011 08:19:15 PM 995 Views
Not necessarily - 21/03/2011 08:29:50 PM 820 Views
I'm still in the game then! - 21/03/2011 08:34:19 PM 828 Views
One of the advantages to our over priced system is it pays well - 21/03/2011 08:38:37 PM 823 Views
Re: I'm still in the game then! - 21/03/2011 08:44:43 PM 825 Views
I was about to say that my soul isn't for sale.. - 22/03/2011 08:41:21 AM 972 Views
Nobody can resist a foot massage - 22/03/2011 11:58:15 AM 965 Views
er, sorta? *NM* - 21/03/2011 06:41:31 PM 514 Views
Sorta single? *NM* - 21/03/2011 06:44:32 PM 491 Views
yes - 21/03/2011 06:51:12 PM 930 Views
Ahh British - 21/03/2011 06:59:23 PM 864 Views
london, me old china - 21/03/2011 07:03:31 PM 816 Views
Hmm intriguing - 21/03/2011 07:10:36 PM 904 Views
yeah - 21/03/2011 07:19:18 PM 903 Views
Re: yeah - 21/03/2011 07:28:55 PM 784 Views
This is possibly my favourite post ever. *NM* - 21/03/2011 07:18:49 PM 475 Views
Hehe - 21/03/2011 07:30:04 PM 957 Views
The original post, although the replies are funny too. *NM* - 21/03/2011 08:42:58 PM 497 Views
I am to please - 21/03/2011 08:48:11 PM 917 Views
Heh. - 21/03/2011 08:49:53 PM 997 Views
Re: Heh. - 21/03/2011 08:53:02 PM 812 Views
Don't you use the screen name Joel sometimes? - 21/03/2011 08:55:37 PM 886 Views
Ha! - 21/03/2011 08:57:45 PM 868 Views
How dare you, sir?! I haven't flirted at Bekah in years. - 23/03/2011 12:38:34 AM 756 Views
don't worry no one will believe it is you - 23/03/2011 12:55:37 AM 855 Views
Meh; most of my "tangents" aren't that tangential. - 27/03/2011 03:19:54 AM 1088 Views
It might help if you say what your culture is. *NM* - 21/03/2011 07:19:46 PM 513 Views
Oops sorry - 21/03/2011 07:31:36 PM 915 Views
Well he did say he was from Texas so - 21/03/2011 08:29:38 PM 793 Views
No not true - 21/03/2011 08:31:47 PM 845 Views
I said a plus - 21/03/2011 08:40:32 PM 989 Views
You should hook up with Darth Katie... - 21/03/2011 09:50:18 PM 858 Views
Lol *NM* - 21/03/2011 09:56:29 PM 502 Views
Hahahaha *NM* - 21/03/2011 11:10:06 PM 487 Views
*NM* - 22/03/2011 02:39:49 PM 509 Views
Hahaha that's like Nephtis and mapthis all over again. - 22/03/2011 10:35:07 PM 777 Views
Likewise, I miss Gavroche, but I don't miss the confusion. *NM* - 22/03/2011 10:38:16 PM 481 Views
Wait, you are NOT Gavroche?? *NM* - 22/03/2011 10:49:33 PM 426 Views
As surely as you are iron lad - 22/03/2011 11:41:26 PM 974 Views
'ow do you do? Moi name's Gavroche. - 23/03/2011 01:39:42 AM 838 Views
That's why I changed it!! - 22/03/2011 10:48:34 PM 814 Views
Cool! What was it before? *NM* - 22/03/2011 11:28:22 PM 415 Views
Jedi_Elf_Aes Sedai *NM* - 22/03/2011 11:41:32 PM 462 Views
I don't know that anyone was surprised by that being a girl's name, *NM* - 23/03/2011 12:00:16 AM 434 Views
Or confuse it with Dark Knight, for that matter. *NM* - 23/03/2011 12:17:42 AM 491 Views
I thought it was pretty clear too. - 23/03/2011 02:34:34 AM 918 Views
Maybe you shouldn't have played male characters there *NM* - 23/03/2011 08:20:37 PM 413 Views
Nah - 21/03/2011 10:56:58 PM 780 Views
Belals Girl, Yunalesca, and Maria are all single - 21/03/2011 11:04:41 PM 1204 Views
Everybody has nice eyes. - 22/03/2011 10:22:41 PM 781 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 840 Views
Well I didn't go that far. - 22/03/2011 10:45:16 PM 848 Views
Re: Well I didn't go that far. - 22/03/2011 11:47:52 PM 828 Views
Re: Well I didn't go that far. - 23/03/2011 12:28:39 AM 987 Views
Dammit. - 23/03/2011 01:42:20 AM 1018 Views
Doesn't mean they're not true! - 23/03/2011 02:06:22 AM 799 Views
ok, and now I notice you word choice: "striking" - 22/03/2011 10:48:45 PM 789 Views
Some people just do have really striking eyes though - 22/03/2011 10:56:31 PM 846 Views
That's true. - 22/03/2011 11:20:04 PM 824 Views
I didn't want to engage in an outright lie. - 23/03/2011 12:44:04 AM 896 Views
Re: I didn't want to engage in an outright lie. - 23/03/2011 02:08:36 AM 758 Views
Not true - 22/03/2011 10:50:29 PM 965 Views
Re: Not true - 22/03/2011 11:01:47 PM 833 Views
Re: Not true - 22/03/2011 11:08:25 PM 849 Views
Of course it's a personal preference. - 22/03/2011 11:37:35 PM 1008 Views
lol, It's not "a guy" - 23/03/2011 01:15:04 AM 1151 Views
Here's a really blond guy singing it. - 23/03/2011 01:23:55 AM 871 Views
Aaaah, it's mere nationalism. - 24/03/2011 11:34:44 AM 1441 Views
Counterpoint to me! - 22/03/2011 11:42:23 PM 837 Views
I think I can carry on an entire debate with myself - 22/03/2011 11:51:29 PM 815 Views
But I don't want to... - 23/03/2011 12:19:32 AM 913 Views
I'm so vain/superficial! - 23/03/2011 12:32:19 AM 814 Views
You prob'ly think this sub-thread is about you. - 23/03/2011 12:35:24 AM 948 Views
Re: Not true - 22/03/2011 11:48:46 PM 978 Views
Hey! - 23/03/2011 03:47:28 AM 1194 Views
Yours are fine - 23/03/2011 08:14:03 AM 1010 Views
You have smiley eyes. - 23/03/2011 01:38:30 PM 769 Views
Not everyone, or at least not always - 22/03/2011 11:17:03 PM 811 Views
hahaha, that doesn't count! - 22/03/2011 11:27:50 PM 831 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 1077 Views
Goodness, you always respond so seriously... - 23/03/2011 03:57:47 PM 914 Views
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHheUVcdqTQ - 24/03/2011 11:40:43 AM 953 Views
Another popular song with the same idea. - 23/03/2011 01:52:31 AM 1086 Views

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