Thinking it's a good thing I opted for the slow cooker rather than a pan on the hob as I just totally forgot about having food on the go!

I tried at work the other day. I actually forgot how much I enjoy corn on the cob, it's been that long since I've had it, but it was most definitely very embarrassing and I was very conscious of it being messy.

Don't most people?

Feeling much more in control since setting up a study plan for my degree and personal interest short courses; and I seem to be keeping up with it! Looking forward to the start of my extra-curriculum course on 'Sustainability' on the 6th January (module areas: learning, business, geography, engineering, arts and humanities).

It sounds like a fun and eventful kind of chaos

I'm curious as to the origins of "Chaco" but I think Sir Wagsalot is a good one if your kids are quite young :D

Hey! Where's your pretty face gone?

You're just feeling run down, hun. You've not been well and I expect that's one of the reasons you're feeling the way you are. Things will get better, just spend some quality time with the people you care about. It'll really help!

Excited about meeting a friend to watch a movie tonight ('Nebraska') - "Yay" for being social!

You never know! She may be determined to welcome the New Year with you for company... Best of luck, Mr Brew. xx

Depends on your colleagues, I guess

Oh no, I didn't kiss anyone as the clock struck midnight... Maybe I'll remember to next year?

2014 has officially begun for me. Hopefully it'll be way better than last year - I have high hopes xx

Cheers!

I can see my face!!

Thanks! Hope you have a happy New Year too!

It sounds like you've never been allowed to be comfortable with him because he seems to be edging from the "more than friends" angle, despite you making it clear that's not what you want. If he'd backed off to "just friends" you may have been more inclined to relax and enjoy his company. I've had "friends" like that too. If they don't accept it, you just have to cut them loose unfortunately. "Gotta be cruel to be kind, in the right measure."

Very disappointed - came home early from work to bring in the New Year with my niece and nephew, only to find everyone's asleep or going to sleep. Looks like I'm bringing in the New Year on my own...

Congratulations! I hope it continues to go well for you xx

That does sound pretty shady so it's certainly better not to find out. Aren't blackouts related to Bipolar sufferers?



That's basically what we're discussing in relation to the OP - that being able to converse is a big part of developing that friendship. Many of us don't feel comfortable moving from the site unless we believe it's been established.



I remember you telling me some of the details, yes. It did sound like a really weird situation in the end, but at least things seemed to worked out alright for you for the most part.



I don't believe I throw up roadblocks for the most part... traffic calming measures, certainly. I guess I'm cautiously friendly.

"Swinging that way" is a reference to being a lesbian. I was basically saying I have no idea whether the same issues arise with interactions with women, though I wouldn't be surprised if they do, as I don't date them.

Where have a stated you were a slut? I don't recall a personal attack on you at all. You challenged my "personality" and how that made me "unfriendly" because I challenged your comment about "picky" women, and it went from there...

What I was highlighting was, that whilst you may feel you're able to converse with people openly about where you feel things may lead, other people aren't always open to it. If anything, they find ways of manipulating conversations to meet their own end.

You're the one who made reference to something in one of my posts. The conversation continued on to talk of feeling "pressured" which, I believe, can cover many situations. Sometimes pressure to maintain contact, pressure to talk off this site before a person is ready to move, pressure to share details, pressure to meet up before a person is ready, pressure for something to develop at a pace that person is uncomfortable with... etc etc.

And I know, noone can make me do something I don't want to do. That's partly the point of this thread, is it not? That if something doesn't work for you (such as conversation) then noone can make you stick with it, and why should a person feel the have to? Part of the good of internet dating - you can back off/block a person if you're in a position you no longer feel comfortable with.

I sometimes worry about how much a person can find out about you just from being here though. Do we really want to p*ss that stranger off? What if he finds his way to my town? What if he recognises me in the street? etc.

Fortunately I don't get lost in those thoughts too often, but they're definitely there if the situation goes in a way I don't feel comfortable with, which may be why I sometimes back off.

Spot on! People tend to come to these sites because they aren't able to find someone face-to-face. I think most of the time it's similar reasons like time, commitments, location, interests... And, as you say, talking to people online can be very difficult when trying to work out who a person is.

There's been the odd times where I've come across real gems, but it's unfortunate there's usually such a big distance, geographically speaking, to make meet ups a reality. There certainly are ups and downs to this internet lark.

I've started a few relationships over the years with people I've met online, but they were guys who were willing to give me that time to trust them and feel comfortable meeting them. The one I stuck with, and was serious about, was a man who took that time to alleviate concerns I did have, both prior to meeting him and after meeting him. It unfortunately didn't work out, but that's just the way relationships go sometimes.

I'm the same though, shellsrose. If I feel pressured, I do tend to back off as it's often indicative of what I believe that person to be like in person too.