I was chatting with someone the other day about online dating and we came up with an analogy (or is it a metaphor?) that was pretty much on point and addresses some of the major problems for people who, like me, are using digital tools to help them meet people. Online dating is like going... Continue Reading →
Picture Me This
I used to be in a gang. It lasted one mealtime. I was nine years old, and had read a comic book about a cool science fiction hero who had grown up in a gang and who therefore learned cool fighting moves and a sense of self-confidence I envied. So I declared that from then... Continue Reading →
Know your enemy
The Caesars of ancient Rome used to employ small boys to stand next to them on their Triumph marches whose sole job was to gently remind the Emperor that he was merely a man and not a god. They would sit behind them and whisper it in their ears; "You are not a god. You... Continue Reading →
A Practically Perfect Partner
I am a lucky man when it comes to my kids. Through the whole divorce process and settling into life as a new family unit they’ve never wavered from their core belief that they are now and will always be the most important things in my life. They know how happy and proud they make... Continue Reading →
To Kiss or Not To Kiss
There are many challenges to overcome when it comes to being an extroverted introvert on a first date. Knowing what to wear, knowing where to go, knowing how much to listen and how much to introduce unprompted, knowing whether to bring up how much I enjoy science fiction or not. But all of those are... Continue Reading →
Putting the Dad into Single Dad
Yesterday in the UK was Father’s Day, a typically overblown corporate sponsored event designed to shift boxer shorts, novelty ties and as many soft rock compilation CDs as possible. I celebrated it in as close to traditional style as possible – I was treated to breakfast in bed, got a few presents and went out... Continue Reading →
Picky, Picky
Getting matches on dating apps is a grind. Despite the fact that I am on a number of different dating sites, despite the fact that I’m constantly tweaking my profile to improve it and despite the fact that I send a lot of messages, the rate at which I get suitable matches is disappointingly low.... Continue Reading →
Swiping By Numbers
Recently I found myself with a lot of time to kill. I'd headed to climb Everest, but as my brother got altitude sickness I instead found myself looking after him in a hotel for over a week in the jungle with literally nothing to do. So I swiped. And I swiped. And I swiped some... Continue Reading →
Rate my Date
For many years I worked in consultation and engagement services across a number of organisations. My role was to go out into the community and find out what they thought of something - a policy, a publication, an issue, a community, a development - and distill that down to report it back to decision makers.... Continue Reading →
Online Tabboo
"Don't worry, I'm happy to lie about how we met! ;-)" That line, or variations on it, is one I've seen on no small number of profiles. It says "I am embarrassed to be here, and no doubt you are too; we're better than this. I don't want anyone to know I've resorted to online... Continue Reading →
A Dating Dad 