When it comes to dating, I'm woman enough to proclaim that I've definitely got some issues. Living in a city with an overwhelming number of good-looking, highly educated men can be an underwhelming experience, to say the least. I've definitely never been the type of girl that needs a man in my life in order to feel complete. While companionship with the right person would be great, after what seems like a million first dates I've come to the conclusion that I'm much better off single than subject myself to a miserable relationship.

As Michelle Singletary often says, "Prince Charming ain't coming", therefore it's up to me to use my survival instincts for the greater good. I've thrown myself into my career because if the time does come to have a family a secure career will equal more options. I surround myself with good, moral people who are driven, and more importantly, the best friends you could ever ask for. I take pride on my Yankee values of hard work and loyalty and then generally find a guy with polar opposite traits, date him, and then wonder where I fucked up.

I've definitely dated my fair share of people who raise alarming issues and then resent them for it later, which is completely selfish and unfair. People are who they are and nothing I say or do is ever going to change that. Every once in a while I wonder if I'm holding the people I date to an impossible standard but to be honest I don't think that seeking someone who's confident and of good character is reaching.

I am trying to be optimistic on the dating scene. I've given up on JDate (seriously? For the $35 a month membership I could either go on bad dates OR buy a bottle of Glenlivet. In general, scotch makes me happier) but I am pretty certain what I'm looking for. Obviously any good relationship is a never ending struggle of "give and take" which is great, so long as I am not forced to kick my values to the curb. Believing the old Yiddish theory of "hey, you never know?", I'm throwing a challenge out to my Pahkcah02 readers: I challenge you to find me a good looking Jewish guy. Ideally, this man is between 25 and 32, has a job with clear career goals (goals = sexy), lives in his own place (roommates are fine), and like a West Point cadet doesn't lie, cheat, or steal (or tolerate those who do). Bonus points if he cooks and enjoys Married With Children reruns. Think this sounds simple? Well, if it was I probably wouldn't blantantly announce my frustration on a blog. Good luck to all of those Bridget Jones-worshipping singletons out there - I am proud to be among your ranks.