I`m the same person off-line from the computer as I am when I`m on-line on the computer.

What and who you see is the real me.

I feel that I represent myself very well.

Ya got my vote, Ed.

I'm nuttier than a fruitcake and a bit Onery. Opinionated and loud. I laugh alot and tend to make others laugh. but what seems to scare them the most is words like trust and honesty which I have to have or its not going to come close to a relationship.

oh and I don't tell them I have a large scary looking dog I love to see the look on their faces when they see her hahahahaha

You know, one thing my ex-gf couldn't understand about me was that I used the Forums not only to vent so I don't dwell on things, but also to help break down some of my personal barriers. She didn't agree with sharing private stuff online. Of course, that depends on what you consider private....and some stuff just doesn't need to be hidden.

Some of what I have revealed about myself here on Mingle, I was always hesitant to mention in person. That's because of the comfort zone I had. I kept a lot of things to myself because of how some people would treat me.

I learned long ago that I am not good with the snappy comebacks, and that some people are just going to twist your words no matter what you say. To them it is a big joke. Some even try to justify it as trying to teach you a lesson to fight back. What's the point? It's not something I have ever been good at. And after a certain age, it's just not cool to go picking fights over mere words.

But here, I can create a new comfort zone by breaking down some of my insecurities. That way I can gain confidence admitting the things I always hid, learn to thumb my nose at the pricks of the world.

I am nicer and more polite online.

But other than that I am the same person.

It is hard to portray how much I laugh on here as I do in person or smile or joke.

But I am definitely a no nonsense gal who tries hard to respect all and I always have my eye out for injustices against those not available to defend themselves so I can put a word in for them. My warrior woman comes out.

But to be around me, you would feel safe and calm because I am well balanced and barely ever riled. I know that doesn't show through online.

There are things that need to be said before the first date. Then if things are going well from there then meet them and see what happens from there.

I don't want a man to waste his money on me, because most will pay for the first date no matter what, if we are not at least meeting with a good idea that we are somewhat compatible.

The hard stuff has been hashed out already mmostly.

There are still things that can blow it after that though. I talked to one guy a couple of years back. I liked him and we went out to eat to meet each other, still liking him, then we go to leave and he wants to kiss me, okay, and he kissed sooooo bad there was no way I could do it again so no more dates.

It was terrible. Open mouth too wide, tongue down the throat. I came away and had to wipe my face off. ICK

That could not be discussed before hand since I didn't know it was a problem.

But without that terrible kiss, I think we would have dated a while anyway.