Being single is a trip. Friends try to step in to set me up on blind dates. I gently desist. No blind dates for me. I have to see what I’m getting into. No way am I going into anything blind.

Yeah, I like to be in control. Most of us do too. This is who I am. I make no apology for that. I am who I am because of all that I’ve been through.

See, I’m the odd girl out when I hang out with my girlfriends. They are all in long term relationships. That’s ok, because I’ve been there done that.

It’s not that I don’t want to be in a relationship again. I do. I’m just not in a hurry to do it.

This time around I’m mature, seasoned, like fine wine. I know what I want. The man coming my way has to know how to talk to me for starters. Not the silly little platitudes either. Ladies, we know them. “Hey babe, you’re so beautiful you make my heart tremble”. Hey, that’s nice, say…..when I was sixteen. Now, that ain’t cutting it. Or, how about, “I’ve been watching you and I like what I see”. Hey, me too but b-o-r-i-n-g. You have to do better than that.

Right about now, the guys reading this are saying that I’m male bashing or that I’m uptight. Na uh. No way. I love men. I’m just telling you like it is.

If women take the time to learn about men, then they need to do the same. My attitude just weeds out the lot. The ones that worry about their cute self will not come over. The one night stand will fritter away ‘cause I’m toooo much work. The “real deal”, the one who has something of interest and not self interest but wants to truly get to know me will come my way. And that’s what I’m looking for.

I’m not saying that I’m averse to approaching a man and I have done it many times too. Men enjoy being the hunter because that’s what they are, or so I've been told. Some of them dislike the woman who goes after a man. It’s a person by person thing.

I’m looking for someone who wants to give and receive and many other qualities that I'll talk about in another hub. Not just a taker. This relationship is a two way street.

I feel lonely sometimes. It’s true. I miss having a significant other. God, the Universe, whatever you call it, gave us a help mate but this time I’m paying attention to whom I choose to have in my life. That person would have chosen me as well with eyes wide open. Ain’t being single grand.