And finally....
I reactivated my IJL account. It's been a few months, probably because putting me on involuntary hold resulted in the installation of a massive activation energy barrier that had to be surmounted. For any women readers (men probably want to close their eyes and hum loudly), it's similar to the hurdle facing you when you try to schedule an ob/gyn exam. I made this attempt a few days ago, and when I reached the answering machine stating that the receptionist was out to lunch, I put the phone down and thought, "well, I'll try again in a few months." What awaits is a necessary evil, but so far from tantalizing that only a miniscule amount of effort can be expended in a given timeframe to try to make it happen.
I was a little bit worried when I reactivated, as my friend D -- unrelated to the elusive D of Date #3 -- informed me a couple of weeks ago that he had sent a letter to IJL suggesting that he had considered their services, but that the experiences detailed on this site as well as those of Velvet in Dupont (a delightful site describing surprisingly similar IJL horrors) had made him think better of it. He may have been lying, but the thought of what their wrath could engender still has me a bit wary.
Within a few days of reactivation, A of IJL (not the aforementioned non-service-oriented and difficult K who kept forgetting to make reservations) called me back to tell me of date #4, W. W has never been married and has no children. He is a 38-year old engineer who enjoys sports, outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, golf (she mentioned with nearly breathless excitement that he even has his own set of clubs). He enjoys photography, going out with friends, all manner of music & movies, museums, reading, and travel. He plays blackjack and the piano (I question the rationale of coupling these activities into a single sentence; use of the same verb to describe two activities does not a fellowship make). The director at IJL who interviewed W -- hence, take this characterization with a boulder of salt -- described him as intelligent, laid back, and confident, with a good sense of humor.
I called A back to give her my availability and to tell her I'd moved to Arlington from Rockville (a move that actually makes things easier, since IJL had told me that they had few Marylanders as clients -- perhaps a testament to the intelligence of the breed). I have to say that A was very nice and polite, and didn't sound at all like someone who had read my previous blog entries. So I am momentarily filled with hope, though I fully expect said hope to be dashed upon the rocks of IJL's next fuckup.
I was a little bit worried when I reactivated, as my friend D -- unrelated to the elusive D of Date #3 -- informed me a couple of weeks ago that he had sent a letter to IJL suggesting that he had considered their services, but that the experiences detailed on this site as well as those of Velvet in Dupont (a delightful site describing surprisingly similar IJL horrors) had made him think better of it. He may have been lying, but the thought of what their wrath could engender still has me a bit wary.
Within a few days of reactivation, A of IJL (not the aforementioned non-service-oriented and difficult K who kept forgetting to make reservations) called me back to tell me of date #4, W. W has never been married and has no children. He is a 38-year old engineer who enjoys sports, outdoor activities such as hiking, boating, golf (she mentioned with nearly breathless excitement that he even has his own set of clubs). He enjoys photography, going out with friends, all manner of music & movies, museums, reading, and travel. He plays blackjack and the piano (I question the rationale of coupling these activities into a single sentence; use of the same verb to describe two activities does not a fellowship make). The director at IJL who interviewed W -- hence, take this characterization with a boulder of salt -- described him as intelligent, laid back, and confident, with a good sense of humor.
I called A back to give her my availability and to tell her I'd moved to Arlington from Rockville (a move that actually makes things easier, since IJL had told me that they had few Marylanders as clients -- perhaps a testament to the intelligence of the breed). I have to say that A was very nice and polite, and didn't sound at all like someone who had read my previous blog entries. So I am momentarily filled with hope, though I fully expect said hope to be dashed upon the rocks of IJL's next fuckup.
posted by Katie S @ 3:08 PM
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