Computer Daddies

i had been wanting to check out a meetmarketadventure singles event for a while, and finally had the opportunity to participate in one last night. if you check out the website, they list tons of really unique and interesting activities (tennis clinic, hike in the gatineaus, flying lessons, firing range?! - probably so you can shoot yourself, etc) - things that would be fun, even if a match wasn't to be made. the event i attended was advertised as a spring fling party where 100 singles meet after work at a new bar in the market, My Condo. i knew of at least 5 other ladies who would be in attendance. i decided to email the organization to ask if they would be able to provide me with the ratio of men: women who had registered. no such luck! also, it made me nervous that my suspicions would be confirmed (as they were) that there would be WAY more women in attendance than men. helloooo, it is Ottawa after all. sidenote: i would love to actually get the stats on that...

i showed up an hour late and was surprised to find the bar completely packed. it was a bit intimidating and overwhelming at first. they had organized a game called "person bingo" where everyone is handed a card and has to mingle and chat with others to help them fill in their cards. "Do you like broccoli?" felt funny to say, but it actually was a clever way to break the ice.

this is going to sound mean and shallow, but all (and i mean ALL) of the men were OLD (turns out there was no specific age range set), short, bald and ugly. the women, on the other hand, gorgeous catches. wow, i thought. these men really have the cream of the crop here! one of my friends coined the term "computer daddies" which made me laugh, but was surprisingly accurate. have you ever watched the show Beauty and the Geek? yeah...i felt like a lot of the men were socially awkward nerds. hey, i love a good nerd, but socially awkward nerdy is entirely different. this one man with a big belly, shirt tucked in, pants pulled high and comb-over came up to me complaining about how "loud" the music was. dude, we're in a club. also, i felt like he really struggled making conversation. it was very difficult for me to feign interest. one man pointed out that it looked as though every woman came to the event with a friend, whereas the men flew solo. good point: ladies, if you're serious about meeting a man at one of these things, don't show up with a gaggle of your competitors. easier said than done - we like to travel in packs.

i didn't have any expectations for the event, but felt so depressed that i quickly gave up on the bingo. bring on the wine! i spent the rest of the evening catching up with my girlfriends, which was WAY more fun, much to the organizers' disapproval. oh wait, he's cute.... nevermind, he's the bartender. after an hour, we ladies called it quits and moved on to a nearby pub to indulge in some pub food, drinks and enjoyable conversation. so the night wasn't a complete bust! and i have to have a sense of humour about it, otherwise i'll cry. hahaha?

bottom line: i won't be attending another meetmarketadventure singles event again. i shouldn't say never, but i would need some serious convincing. i've been to enough organized speed dating events to know that it's always the same turnout. and think about it, what guy friend or ex do you know that would actually go to one of these things? exactly.