“You are almost there”

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, which is good, because I only have 20.
Hope this’ll do:

[Merry Christmas! Looking forward to new Projects in the new year...]

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Wondrous Readers,
For Date #19 I have something a little different for you… I’ve surrendered the reins:
Read more…

Kind, Unique Readers,
See, this is yet another reason why I love Craigslist: it spawns more questions than it answers.
Case in point: today, I posted this ad in the Missed Connections section of Craigslist:
Read more…

Affectionate Readers,
Date #18 is coming. I promise. In fact, here it is:

DATE #18:
Plan to put up Edward Furlong mugs every furlong cancelled (rain); no
matter, we have united, instead, over PROJECT FURLONG.

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Just as the New York Times decided to withhold a story, I, too might hold off on reporting the rest of my dates for some more breaking news: THE FURLONG PROJECT is born. Here’s the narrative:
Read more…

Look:
I can’t distinguish between Craigslist and “real” dates anymore;
need calendar notes to remember who’s who;
previous dates calling back;
ex-boyfriend called;
and
the guy I think I’d actually like to date is too busy ballpoint-pen shopping.
I quit.

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—BEGIN NOTE—
Dearest Sweetest Readers,
I apologize. I was rash. [deep inhale]
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This one was really smart, polite, well-dressed…
Too bad I think he’s gay and just doesn’t know it yet.

Cancelled this one…
we spoke several times, and he’s really looking for someone. Didn’t want to waste my time?

… or his.

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Dear Readers,

Since it seems that I am on this funny dating and dating-related-topics kick lately, I’m including a link to this site, e-closure which allows people the “act of gaining emotional finality by sharing a story of a breakup with the world, via the internet.”

The wonderful part is this project: Nobody Loves Me on V-Day which attempts to collect break up letters exchanged between, well, people breaking up. Sad, dramatic, entertaining — all the things a break-up should be.

It’s even better than voyeuristic Craigslist reading.

Consider it a temporary solution for those of you requesting longer detailed narratives about my Craigslist Dates. (There seems to be a general feeling that 20 words isn’t long enough? Well, those are just the parameters in which I’ve chosen to write, people. )

Ok, Fine: I’ll try to get around to those detailed date narratives soon.

Thanks for checking in,
Shannon

date cancelled.
dinner with friend turned sour.
(this cafe is too loud.)
-tad bitter?

just me and wine tonight, folks…

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I’m hung over,

watching his mouth

; the only sounds
it makes

replicate the adults in Charlie Brown.
Whanh,
whanh,
whanh.

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Date, Interrupted
Enter: spontaneous date with old friend from Petaluma. (I feel like I’ve cheated on Craigslist…

…i’m so sorry.)

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Two writers meet.
One posted an ad.
One answered.
One’s jaded; one’s inspired.
20 minutes is too short for coffee.

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This is your “first time,” you’ve “never tried online dating,” you’re “not this desperate.” Get over it: eat your soup.

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To Mr. Breakfast Date: you keep telling me how ugly the girls you date are. But you’re pretty ugly, too.

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I’m thinking about recreating this wonderful ad which I posted earlier as being one of the most beautiful ads shot locally in San Francisco. Instead of using mini super-balls, however, we’d use those gigantic yoga balls–and more like 20 or 30, instead of 250,000.

You know, just for the hell of it.

I proposition anyone interested to contact me, most especially if you have a large ball to loan. We’d put you in the credits: promise.

This request is also posted on Craigslist here.

“Rescued me” from date #7. (If dating were a television show, he’d be the spin-off–but cancelled after one season.)

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Walking to work through Chinatown this morning felt like death–eras, or people, no matter. All of the shops with closed doors, gated, and the streets hollow; piles of organics devoid of flies; whispers of a country I’ve never been to; St. Mary’s Cathedral–in her quiet struggle for rebirth–evoked sentiment of a past I imagined I owned so I could pretend I owned something worth feeling sentimental over. Mostly, it was the beauty I was supposed to leave behind. Someone, walking in the opposite direction along Stockton Street, looked right at my eyes as we passed. He and I both did a double take and gave a weak smile in recognition; perhaps he sensed death, too.

(What? Can’t I post something other than Craigslist date summaries?)

Oh, God. Mr. McSweeney’s-worshipping, iPod-programming, nervous-energy-man: Like Raymond Carver said– Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?

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Over Phó? we do the math: Dental school + band member in high-school + ran track = you’re a geek. (That’s hot.)

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Dear Readers,
Perhaps this is as good a time as any to clarify a few things. I’ve had some concerns / questions / interest in further understanding the selection criteria and parameters of my 20/20/20 Project. I have every intention on elaborating on this here project I’m working on; I’m taking a lot of interesting notes on the sidelines, sketching out some brief narratives about each date, and looking to tie it all together—perhaps even wrap it up with a nice little bow in time for the holidays–but unfortunately I’m finding myself a little, well, busy.

Hey: you’d be busy too if you were going on all these dates.
Read more…