More Than Just a Profile

The other evening I found myself checking out the members of the Single Parent's Connection on face book. Did I know anyone? Was there anyone in the DC area to check out? We are all single parents so, if nothing else, we have that in common... but maybe there is more to it than that? Maybe we have more commonality than differences?

I didn't get very far as there are many members, I don't have a lot of time, and well, from a face book snapshot, you can't tell much. Stymied, I felt stymied. Why doesn't everyone write a blog!

Ironically, a friend mentioned a similar thought when we spoke a few evenings later. He confessed to having tried his hand at Match.com only to find that a profile is just a profile. There wasn't much information on the person. He, like me, found himself wishing that there was a blog to read. Jobs require a writing sample, why can't we?

Just like a profile, a person can build themselves into a completely different character on their blog. A blog can be a wonderful work of fiction. It can be the person we want to be and yet the person that we are afraid to show to the world. A blog can be completely anonymous allowing us to share our deepest feelings and emotions (or we can do it without being anonymous as well) whatever the case, after a period of time and many posts, the reader believes that they have a sense of the person behind the words.

One does not have this sense after reading a Match or E-Harmony profile.

Or a Face book profile for that matter.

I considered my Face book profile and found that someone will understand quickly that I love word games (whether I rock at them or not is a matter of opinion, game, and night of the week). They will also find that I am bound and determined to unlock every locked plant, sea creature, Karma, drink, coffee, or whatever out there!! It is one of my Face book missions! Other than these things, they aren't going to learn much. I don't think that The Exception is yet associated with my profile, which is something I suppose I should do.

Even reading the exception, I am not sure if I am suitable date potential!! No pictures (as I am continually reminded thanks to Aaron and Scotty), and I am not sure how well one has to know me before I talk about the things that I write about in general. But then again, I talk about so many things that I don’t write about. (Don’t we all?) I would have to ask those who have met me how accurately this site and my writing illustrate the person that they met…

But still, the idea is that the blog gives a person something to read. The writings, the chosen words, the topics of discussion, the responses to comments... all of these give someone something to sink their teeth into - and probably help to facilitate commonality and topics of conversation.

I realize that Match or another dating site really can't use a blog format or connect to the blog that each potential candidate might write due to privacy issues. The online dating process is far more private than a blog which is often open for the world to read at will.

But still... wouldn't it be nice to have more? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to sit down with a cup of tea or coffee or chai and read about these people that are looking for the same things we seek? My friend could find out more quickly if there is potential compatibility if he could have that "blog" glimpse into the mind of each potential date while I could have an idea as to the different parenting perspectives and tribulations of the members of the Single parents Connection.

It is that idea of being able to read a person's mind - to have that little peak into their lives that is intriguing. That glance through the window that adds a bit more flesh to the body; a bit more reality to the process. This person behind the profile is real. This person outlined by checks in boxes is genuine with issues and challenges and joys and passions just, like, mine.