Date Off:

I had this idea for a 'different kind' of on-line dating website - it would be a way for a person who's dating people to do more than 'Scout' for potential partners. On-line Dating services (Match.com, PlentyOfFish, OkCupid, etc) have the 'scouting' part down to a [pseudo] science.

But while the 'Scouting' is straight forward, the same websites don't make the 'Sorting' easy. How do you create a personal ranking of the people you've scouted online, and make them COMPETE for the prize: YOU?

My thought would be to use a sweet-sixteen-like "tournament" grid (play-off bracket) where you sort those scouted from the website into one-on-one 'Date Off' ranks. Drag-and-drop them into picture frames pairing them up against each other.

Review the profiles of that first row - the 16 - 'Screen' their profiles against each other. From what they've written, pick one profile over the other, and move the 2nd place profile into a slot in the top row of the 'runner-up' bracket. Leave the runner-up bracket for a while, and focus on the top 8 from this first 'Screen'.

This way your potential dates are competing against each other for your affection, you're being the Chooser, and selecting which person moves to the next level. In the 2nd row, you should now have 8 people to contact. Send each of them an e-mail, and tell them you like their profile, and would like to meet in person over coffee/lunch to see if there's mutual interest. Candi-dates (candidates ;?> ) will self-select out at this point by not responding, OR by agreeing to meet.

Set up an in-person meeting with everyone who responds, and use that coffee-date to get a reading on YOUR level of interest in THEM. Rate the interest level as Low, Medium, or High. Likewise, get a reading on THEIR interest in YOU - Low, Medium or High. How can you tell if they're interested? They're looking in your eyes, and listening when you speak, talking the same amount as you, and 'engaged' in the conversation. But if they're scanning the room, distracted by the big-screen tv, or checking their cell phone, interest is LOW... but don't worry: there are 8 more where the first date off candi-dates came from.

TAKE NOTES! Be sure and include your best guess at interest level, and move the higher interest person into the Winners Circle bracket. If more than one person ends up in the winner's circle, you have multiple dinner / waterfront dates to make.

Take the final 2-to-4 people out to dinner somewhere close to a walking path, waterfront, or park. After dinner, get out and explore the area together. Do NOT be tempted to pay ten-bucks for the right to Sit next to them, but be UNABLE to speak for 2 hours... in a dark room... (i.e. NO MOVIES ON FIRST DATES!) Instead, explore new shop windows, or wander through the park, or re-discover an area you enjoy. The key is to explore TOGETHER, and learn about each other in the process.

When you get home, follow up with an email, or text thanking them for a great evening. Take notes! What about this person most resonates with you, and meets your 'criteria'?

You DO have a set of criteria... what you're looking for... RIGHT?!?! Be Careful - you'll get what you're looking for. If you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll find it. Something so unsure you won't be sure when you've not sort-of kind-of found something close to it... him... her... them[?]... maybe.

If you get through the entire first bracket, and have time left over, review the runner-up bracket. Follow the same plan: Email (8), Coffee (4), Date (2). Eventually, you'll have a short-list. Date the one(s) who best match(es) your partner criteria. [Then ask her if she's got a girlfriend for me! Seriously! You should 'Scout' and 'Sort' for your friends because YOU know what YOUR FRIEND's want almost as much as they do].

And most importantly... Be Happy! Only YOU can make yourself happy. Have Fun Out There!