ADMIN- Big Sister of Big Brother, Horse Apple inspector and Administrational Booter of the Baddies, welcome. Mi horse apple-casa es su horse apple-casa... Yes troops, its true. Ive been issued a boot wand. Actually, its the plunger from her Queens royal bathroom but hey, its a beginning. Incidentally, she told me the plunger has magic capabilities because it makes crap disappear. Ive given the criteria as to what we are all looking for to make the Horse Apples blog a success, for everyone. Page 2. (Laying Down The Monte Law). The rules are simple, fair and above all, cyber-righteous and as we all can agree, bless-ed be all that is cyber-righteous. Amen. If your post disappears you can believe it went to cyber-heaven if it makes you feel better but the cyber-truth is- Most likely it got the boot wand waved over it as in...woooosh!

Breez -You mention- "It's very hard not to get caught up in the great voice, the late night conversations, the text messages..." And there it is...The cyber-cart is now before the real world horse. In essence, operating on fantasized chemistry because you have yet to actually meet the "profile". While it is possible thru A FEW late nite conversations to somewhat authenticate a profile description or get a 'feel" for things, blowing premature kisses thru the phone before actually meeting is probably getting ahead of yourself. Texts and phone conversation could be the beginning of chemistry but just as easily not. It depends on what degree of expectations have been put into play before meeting for the first time. SMART- "Lets meet and see what happens..." NOT SO SMART- Oh baby, I'm so sure youre my soul mate, Ive already rented a Uhaul... Yes, in the real world there is no profile, no expectations and therefore chemistry happens at it's own pace or not at all. In the cyber-world, where chemistry is often rushed or prefabricated because of DISTANCE, it seems easy to blame cyber dating itself if failure occurs. Maybe it would be wise to limit the late nite phone calls before actually meeting...? >m<

Are you all making sport of me about telling breezy how she hits the nail on the top of the head with her post on cyber dating?

Monte you are too funny! I especially enjoyed your commentary on Breezy hitting the nail on the head. Re missing posts. It's not always Admin. I am not the only one who can boot your post into Cyber heaven... Monte now has the ability to do this as well for this topic. Please read Monte's post on page 2 of this topic. He refers to it as: "Layin Down the Monte Law"

Monte, while I realize that these conundrums face us no matter where we meet people, it seems more likely in the cyber-world to get caught up in non-reality. When you're meeting face to face, you have some idea about the other person from the very moment you set eyes on them. It's not about the money they have or whether or not they're a good person, it's about their mannerisms. It's about the way they carry themselves, the way they speak o(or not). It's a very deep, sort of pheromonal affinity. They can be the best person in the whole world and do everything for you or with you, but somehow, something just doesn't click. In the real world, it's so much easier to tell. It's not a negative statement in the least, it's just about knowing what you are attracted to and whether or not you can see that for yourself. Pictures don't give us that, neither does a voice on the phone, we have to find it in personal contact. It's very hard not to get caught up in the great voice, the late night conversations, the text messages, but then, when the rubber meets the road, we have to meet and sometimes the chemistry just isn't there. As for carpentry, I can hit a nail, but I rarely get it where I wanted it to go. I admire people of artistic talent simply because I have so little of it. Did I mention sheep? I'd never own sheep. Llamas are much more productive.

Breez- With all the nails youre hitting, one wonders if, in a different life, you may have been a carpenter...You didnt write the song - "If I Had a Hammer", did you...? First, I refrain from giving out the extent of my around-the-ranch skills. (See the Top 10 List) I like all barnyard animals but I dont own sheep - its a reputational thing... Your words of cyber-dating guidance ring worthy. However, I can make the case that your same points can be applied to the real world-every day. A woman I chance to meet at my local laundromat could also learn a few things about me if she joined me for lunch. First, she would learn: OK, he's got enough money to pay for lunch, that's a good start... Or - "Oh my, he has a credit card, that's even better...!" >m<

Breezy you hit it again right on top of the nail. Awesome post!!!!!!!

As I said at the beginning, ol Monte just isnt the most reliable source for answers of any kind. But, in my humble and easily dismissed opinion, I think crossroads, whenever possible, should be avoided all together. I hear tell, only shady characters trying to make shady deals hang out there. Robert Johnson could tell you that. So would Eric Clapton although in those days, I don't think Eric really knew where he was, at any given time. Hell, he might of thought Grand Central Station was the crossroads but I digress... Personally, I prefer road travel over paths. Usually, you can find me travelin the high road or the low road. Of the two, I prefer the high road because there's more traffic if I happen to break down. It just seems a lot of folks take the high road... Path travel can be tricky. There are more paths than roads and more paths than roads lead nowhere. I would never choose a path that glittered unless a pot of gold was doin the glitterin. I'm not sure about a path of uncertain promise either. I would need more certainty. Paths with unknown risks? I'd review my insurance policies before beginning the trek ...>m<

I think the best advice one can give to new members is to live in reality. Cyber dating can be a great and glorious thing or it can be a total trainwreck depending on how things work out. The best way to handle it is to not get caught up in the idea that you know someone before you've met. You really don't know a person until you sit across a table from them and have lunch. That personal experience can make or break a deal. Bottom line is, have fun, make friends, don't expect too much and get to know someone up close and in person before you go totally off the deep end. It's so tempting to just fall right into a "relationship" before you invest the time or energy to go meet. If you go into it slowly and really get to know someone, you have a much better chance of finding what you're looking for. Great things DO happen! See? I'm not THAT jaded. Monte, do you know how to use an impact wrench? How about a welder? How do you feel about goats? Llamas? How about ostrich?

Like with the tin man of OZ, a little grease can do a wonder of good! LOL By the way, I find your analogy of The Enchanted Forest regarding dating sites a good illustration of everyday living. We encounter all kinds of critters and creatures walking or riding down the path of life. Meeting folks from the 'cyber' world can be a very rewarding experience. Whether folks we meet are acquaintances, life long friends, or more, the internet can be a great tool. What an interesting adventure!! Question for Mr. Monte...if one should find themselves at a crossroads in the great forest, with a glimpse of uncertain promise on a few, glittery expectations on others, and several other paths with unknown risks, which of these paths would be the best option?