Light-hearted post tonight. I still want to throw out those more substantial comments regarding Judaism, and give a few brief responses to Dawn's points regarding the consequences of replacement theology (which can accurately be summed up by saying "not necessarily" a bunch of times ;)), but I'm in no mood to do that tonight. And since all I ate today was junk -- frozen onion rings and breaded okra (microwaved, because I was too lazy to fry them or wait for the toaster oven), Little Debbie Nutty Bars and Star Crunches, Tastykake Kandy Kakes and Butterscotch Krimpets, and sweet potato chips (can ya tell I'm not in a good mood?) -- I figured we'd go for another junk-food type post. Should keep from upsetting me further, anyway.

Also, the April article (finally) should be up on Tuesday. I hope. I took all the photos for it, so we'll see.

SO! If you read the last entry and did some link-hopping, you know that one of our recent blogger circle trends is the infamous list of deal breakers. Before today (or yesterday), The Anonymous Blogger had been content to go through the lists of other people and see how they related to him, mixed in with a bit of cynical wit (which seems to be going over really well with the ladies, oddly enough), but he finall dove headfirst into the fun by posting his first positive entry into the festivities -- his own lists of "must haves" and "can't stands"! So since I've already posted my list, I'm gonna go back and do his! I mean hey, he notes that "Wes is also apparently learning to become a lesbian," so why can't I try my hand at the other thing as well? I mean occasionally I did say "her" or "woman" on my list, but for the most part those qualifications weren't gender/sex-specific -- and admittedly I have seen one or two "beautiful boys" in my time whom I wouldn't have minded asking to coffee. That said, Anony-baby, let's give your list a whirl. 😉

Anon's Must Haves:

1. Someone who thinks I matter and is willing to work with me to help me grow and approach my potential, and someone who thinks I can help her in that respect and is very much interested in having me around to do so. In short, someone who really loves me.

Comments: This one's from my list, so not only is it great, but I'm totally in line with it. We're 1/1, sweetness.

2. Someone who isn't afraid to initiate. Asking me out, or giving me a call, or sending an e-mail saying "let's do something tonight" or "let's stay in and watch a movie".

Comments: We trade e-mails all the time, so this one sounds good. And I'm all for suggesting stuff, though my preferences tend towards sushi restaurants and staying in -- I've got lots of dvds you'd probably find interesting. So no problems with me taking the initiative -- just promise you won't label me a stalker or call the cops, mmmkay? (That's happened more times than I care to count -- that one really should have been on my list, but I thought "doesn't think I'm a psycho and/or try to have me arrested" would've fallen into the "obvious" category.) So we're 2/2, then.

3. Someone with an artistic talent and a passion for the arts -- singing, writing, painting, etc.

Comments: Yep, that's from mine too! And hey, lookie there -- I write! 3/3, assuming my writing has any merit.

4. Someone who likes it when I compliment them spontaneously, hold hands, or snuggle with them on the couch (or any other touchy-feely thing).

Comments: Yep, upon being complimented or snuggled I'd giggle like the detergent bear and give you a kiss on your chinny-chin-chin. 4/4.

5. Someone who, after a reasonable amount of time in the relationship, is willing to engage in sex without requiring a ring on the finger (it ain't the most important thing, but it's in the top 5).

Comments: I have to stay a virgin or the vampires won't come for me. 🙁 4/5.

6. Someone who be honest and forthcoming with their opinions. If she is unhappy with something I've said or done, she'll tell me and we can work through. If she thinks I won't like her opinion, tell it to me anyway. I prefer ugly truths over pretty lies.

Comments: Yep, this one fits me -- I'm about as honest as they come. Which is why people hate me. But not you, 'cause you like that in a girl. Tee-hee! 5/6.

7. Someone with the patience and understanding to work through differences.

Comments: Sure, why not? Depends on what kinds of differences we're talking about, of course, but I think that where something really worthwhile is at stake, we should be willing to work together to see that it endures. 6/7. And why am I still keeping score? This is the "must haves" list, right? So technically one strike disqualifies me. But what happened to working through differences? Hypocrite. 🙁

8. Someone who would work with me through my deficiencies in the whole dating ritual.

Comments: Not sure I could be much help there, but I'd try. Actually, no I wouldn't. Who gives a crap about adhering to some dating ritual? Hey, are there even dating norms anymore? Do we still live in the days when asking someone to the movies at the water fountain or secretly taking down the number of that girl dialing at the payphone and calling her later is acceptable? Or what's the trend today? And who cares? Why be controlled by arbitrary social trends? We're individuals, baby; let's date our way.

9. Someone who will actually be forthcoming in their honest complements of me.

Comments: You do something worthy of a compliment, THEN A COMPLIMENT YOU GET! And sometimes one just fer lookin' purty.

10. Regarding physicality: someone for whom I find a modicum of attraction and for whom the sight of me doesn't make physically sick.

Comments: Haven't seen you; don't know. But I think this thing is beautiful, so you've got a decent shot at being acceptable.

Anon's Can't Stands:

1. Someone without a single original thought in their head. A conformist and/or stereotype.

Comments: This place is full of original ideas (I hope), and I'm far from a conformist and/or stereotype. Crucifix glasses, remember? 😀

2. Someone who is extremist in their beliefs, whether religious or political.

Comments: Me? I dunno! Radical, perhaps. Extremist? Hmm...after a few conversations (or some time spent reading the blog and SC), you be the judge.

3. Someone who concerns themselves too much with appearances (their own or others).

Comments: Good rule! Again, crucifix glasses. And it's worth noting that that skull shirt I'm wearing in the pics only cost $3, because I bought it in the middle of the summer and it's a thermal shirt. Clearly I'm not one to keep up with the times (or seasons). 😉

4. Someone who regards my hobbies (comics, sci-fi, etc.) as "kid's stuff".

Comments: Have you seen Scary-Crayon lately? Even if I call it "kid's stuff," I've clearly got no problems with it -- most of my clothes from department stores are purchased from the boys' section anyway!

5. Someone with a judgemental, closed mind.

Comments: Closed, not necessarily, depending on what we're talking about. Judgmental? Always, but not absolutely.

6. Someone who doesn't seem to have an opinion on anything at all. Overly meek.

Comments: Me not meek. Me have opinion. Me have BETTER than opinion! Me have well thought-out and intelligently argued opinion. Me have approximation of truth. Me hope.

7. Someone who is mean-spirited, lies, or cheats.

Comments: Only when we're playing fighting games, pal, and even then it's not cheating if the game lets you get away with it. Is it my fault that Kim Dragon has an infinite combo consisting of only well-timed successive jabs? Blame the programmers for making him so damned awesome. And it's not like you can't pick him, too!

8. Someone who does not respect me as a human being or someone who is trying to court them (shows up late, is undependable, etc.).

Comments: Hmmm, I dunno -- I don't really respect anyone "as a human being," but rather as an individual, and respect varies depending on the individual. But with respect to the courtship thing: I either show up five minutes late -- just to MESS WITH YOUR MIND -- or half an hour early, so I already look unbelievably bored when you arrive and can pretend to be annoyed with you even though you technically showed up on time, and then you'll change all of the clocks in your house just to try and be N-SYNC with me! And then I'll show up five minutes late again to MESS WITH YOUR MIND s'more. No wonder Andrea hated me. 😉

9. Someone who feels they have to be a persona when dating and not themselves.

Comments: Are those necessarily incompatible? My outward face and inner self are pretty much one and the same, to the point where I can't be insincere about it. I have become my persona, or my persona has become me. So I'm not exactly sure, but I think you could stand me, pal.

10. Someone who is excessively overweight. I have to throw this in because of the events of a few days ago.

Comments: No problems there. Love me. 😉

And I guess that's it. So judging by the above results, it seems that there's only one point where The Anonymous Blogger and I are incompatible -- thus making Anon my closest match yet out of all of the people who've recently posted these kinds of lists. What does that mean? Perhaps that we were meant to be? I think it does! Tamara and Allie, you've got some competition now, and I say we settle things once and for all with a three-way hardcore mud-wrestling match. Grab your gear and roll up your sleeves -- this one's gonna get messy.

Just kidding...

OR AM I?!?!?!?!?

Yeah, probably. 🙂