Since I have begun this journey, I have also ramped up the dating activities in my life. I don't share my personal life with many people, but I think this is appropriate to share - those reading this will understand it more than anyone else in my life.

OK, so that said... some oratory overflow in the form of background information:

I should first say that I never really lacked for a dating life but, hindsight being 20/20, I can see now that it lacked a distinct level of quality. There were some winners, then there were some "real winners" (she says with a voice dripping with sarcasm).

With a few exceptions (see the post regarding Mr. Washington, DC, back in August), most of the men I would meet were just not good enough for me. It's not an ego thing, I know I deserve someone better than I was meeting. Looking back, most of them lacked ambition, a solid work ethic, and usually possessed a vocabulary rivaled by my nieces and nephews. Their idea of fun was either a first-date romp in the sack (thank you, no), a marathon video-game session (again, not interested), or slamming beers to get drunk and ultimately act like an idiot (um, don't call me, especially as your one call from prison).

And yet, I went out with them. Some were fun in small doses, but overall, I knew I wasn't meeting anyone with whom I wanted to spend any real time.

OK, now that has been laid out, on to the inspiration (and title) of this post:

The quality of men I have been meeting and dating has risen exponentially. There are a few reasons, I know, all of which come down to aesthetics: I am thinner now, "normal," and therefore considered more date-able by more people which, in turn, boosts my confidence and opens up more opportunities to talk to people.

(I feel like I have to throw in a caveat, because at some point - if I haven't already - I will say something that sounds like I take issue with someone's job as a level of quality. What someone does to earn their living is not important to me (unless they bitch about wanting to change it but don't actually make the effort), as long as they are happy, can meet their responsibilities, and take pride in a job done well.)

OK, back on track.

So I am meeting people with whom I can have intelligent conversations, people with whom I can stand to spend more than 24 hours, people who have adult interests