OK, so first let me apologize for the unusually long header/title for this post, it just seemed to be the most appropriate. And secondly it really does not have anything to do with the Sex Text Scandal currently heating up the sound waves here in D-Town, but don't be surprised if it gets mentioned at some point. At this point I shall have to put a small disclaimer in right here,this post is not meant to hurt or harm anyone in particular in any which way or form, if you find that the text mentions people, places and events that might seem relevant to a situation or yourself, please don't let it consume you... It's not about you (or your crew), it's just my observations...

Over the years I have had some very interesting dating experiences, and from time to time as I work through "poppin some bubbles" in my life, you are going to hear about some of them, but for right now we will just concentrate on the present post at hand. 'To Text or Not to Text...', found its place in cyberspace thanks to a very clear reminder that I got yesterday when I received a text and my phone promptly alerted me that I had used up 87% of my allowed text storage. Well this particular text that I received came from someone who I am not so sure I even need/want to/deserves a response. I have not been out on a date in more than a year, so correct me if I am wrong, but don't people still call and ask each other out? Well I was still under that impression about a month ago, until a certain young man invited me out via text... Ding ding ding! That should have been the light bulb right there, going off in my head with the loud noise of an alarm. Anyway, I accept this invitation to go out and then the conversation started about what we were going to do and where we were going to go (all via text), so I was told whatever you decide is fine.

Being the cost effective sista that I am, I found something that I thought might be fun to do and not cost too much. A movie at the DIA, "Honeydripper" with Danny Glover, an excellent movie I might add, and refreshments in the cafe, and then later on to the Erotic Art show and possibly dinner at Berts. Now this was all decided upon two days before the date, at least the first part, which the person said was cool. So now the day of the date arrived and I had not spoken to my date, so I decided to call to confirm, there was no answer, so of course unlike most, I left a message, a very detailed one at that, with all the particulars for the evening. I even did one better, I attempted to use the preferred method of communication 'text' to see if I would get a response... Alas, no luck and it soon became apparent that I was being stood up. Needless to say, I still had a great time at the movie, art show and late night dinner, minus my date, thanks to a couple of married friends who decided they would be my dates...

But the tale does not end there, for we must get to the most recent text message... So, two weeks after being stood up, this person sends me the standard text line that every guy seems to have pre-saved, "What's up? What are you doing tonight?" I was immediately incensed, after standing me up, not returning my phone call, and basically ignoring me for two weeks, this person, decided that they would contact me, via text no less, to make plans for that very night. At the time I was doing some paperwork with a friend, she saw the incredulous look on my face and after explaining the situation to her, she asked "are you going to respond to that?" The answer is yes folks, I did respond...however, I did let that person know in an ever so nice way how I felt about them standing me up and the situation in general, via text of course... claims were made, "oh you never called, I didn't get any msgs. from you, etc, etc..." Surprise, surprise, we have not made it out on a date yet, but didn't I get a text last night, "What's up? What are you up to?" (A slight variation of the standard text line) Amazing, men are amazing, is this a blindspot that they are just not trying to acknowledge as they cruise along dating? Ok dudes, let me break it down for you, texting me shows me how little you think of me, so I am not going to take you seriously if your preferred method of communication is text messaging... it reeks of laziness, (sloth is one of the seven deadly sins) and further proves my hypothesis for my thesis paper that, "the whole video gaming industry has a significant role to play in the diminishing of effective communicative skills among the male population between the ages of 7 thru 45" You might say that texting has absolutely nothing to do with video games, but lets think for a moment, picture in your mind if you will a person who is texting and a person who is playing a video game on whichever gaming system... hmmm? See the similarity, there are non verbal communications taking place here, and lets not forget the uttered expletives when you have just made a mistake or lost a game. Who are they talking to? Themselves? What's the response? I seriously think that the lack of communication skills required for gaming has affected the ability of men to effectively communicate, much less to communicate with someone they are attempting to date.I think that it is in poor taste to try to date someone and only communicate via text. Part of what attracts one person to another is the voice, the tone, the timbre, the accent. At least for me that plays an important part in determining if I want to date person. Barry White was sexy to me, let's see had he been alive today, I wouldn't want him to text me, no Barry, I would need you to call me...

I would love to say that this most recent incident was my first experience, but sadly to say within the last three years I have found this to be very commonplace and I am sure this is not going to be the last... Well I gotta go now, but wait... lol you are not going to believe this, I just got another text...until next time, take care of you!