This is one of the nicer taking forums though not much interation or membership compared to plenty of fish . But no one seems overly nasty and rude like on Fish. But I promised myself several things when I hit 50 years old Friday the 20th is to dematrically decrease the crap in my life. I don't mean clutter. The lack of respect shown to me, the rudeness-those things. As dear Abyy used to write "only you can let yourself be taken advantage of'. But one thing I can control is dating. I have made no secret that all the sites on the net are rip offs and I suspect the 'free' sites are not on the net just to be nice. I don't know their agenda and don't care but it costs $$$$ to run a site and I doubt if a few banner ads pays the rent or the owners are the kind that care people can connect without paying. I tried to offer some consturctive observations and I vented along with a lot of people and the vents were valid I think-both mine and others. Dating does NOT have to be horrible. It is like going to the doctor. Not each visist is painful except maybe in the wallet. And dating can be fun and you meet new people and get a chance to learn about things you might never get the chance or visist places that you never knew existed. But be it the time we live in, 9-11, the Republicans, whatever, women in my age group -those over 40 are the most self absorbed, cranky, oeverly demanding but they themselves are not special and rude people I have ever met. This is not just on matchcom but in supermarkets, gas stations, everywhere. Personally I think they need nust a good F____. But as this day and decade of my 40's wind down, I just wanted to say thanks to the people who put this site on the internet. I learned I was not alone in my dating frustarations. I hope that the ones really looking and are honest about dating find their match. The ones that conive and lie-all I hope is you die lonely and broke and unhapply. Those people deserve nothing less. Richard BTW Compared to my 40's, my 50's will be great unless I spent my 50's in a Turkish prision.

Sorry to see you go. I have enjoyed reading your posts and have agreed with a lot of your points. I have never posted a message before but I just wanted to let you know. Darren.