Dating is...

-Filling up a glass over and over with water, yet still being thirsty

-Having a drawer-full of sexy underwear that has yet to see the light of day

-Telling myself (and my fears), in an authoritative librarian tone to 'SSshh!' overandoverandoveragain.

-Blowing $50, yet having nothing to show for it

-The optimists' version of insanity, only nicer

-Forcing me to like, or if not like, at least suffer, humble pie on a regular basis

-Not making me feel any better

-Opening a door I thought I had sealed shut

-Making me think I have lost my f*cking mind

-Learning to play a game with no clearly defined rules, no set number of players and oftentimes, no pretense of sportsmanship

-Becoming close, personal friends with the words, "What" and "If"

-A blow-out of a fight with my closet when it fails to produce, yet again, 'something to wear'

-Learning that it's oK to say, 'No,thanks' when presented with a chance to hear about someone's yeast problems

-Re-learning that it's still never safe to eat garlic or oniona on a first-date, the hard way

-Knowing the date and time for all CSI re-runs, even if that means Friday and Saturday night

-And finally...hopefully...romantically, Dating is possiblity. The possibility that someone else will also be so sick of this ridiculous list, they will want to jump out of the dating pool with me. Right here, and right now.