Dating use to be uncomplicated. We knew exactly what the night held, a pretty good idea of expectations and we just needed to be interesting and endearing to our date. There are no more boxes of candy, no more flowers, a bow tie and a nice smile.

We've upped the ante and the bar is set so high, we're hesitant to even go out on a date.

Dating is a social or affectionate appointment with hopes of getting to know each other better; trying to find your compatible soul mate. Dates used to be thoughtfully arranged by a third party, a family member or close family friend. Today, more often than not, we meet suitors in trendy bars, online and matchmaking services.

Today's concept of dating has changed. It has traditionally been a man's responsibility to pay for the date; the practice of Going Dutch, which is splitting the costs, has now emerged.

Traditional dating activities:

1. Gentleman informs lady he will be stopping by to visit her. They dress up or dress casual and sit in front room and chat. Upon departing, man asks for a second date the next week and gives woman kiss on the cheek.

2. Gentleman arrives with box of candy and/or flowers in hand and takes woman out to a movie or fancy dinner. Upon arriving back to woman's home, gentleman tells woman how he enjoys her company, asks for another date in the future and gives woman kiss on cheek.

3. On the third date, gentleman picks woman up at her home by walking to front door, delivering yet another bouquet of flowers and continuing on their way. After date, they arrive back to woman's home; gentleman gets a kiss on lips from the woman.

Today's dating activities:

1. Guy calls woman on cell phone and informs her he's a block away and will be there in 5 minutes to visit. Upon arriving, woman invites him in and after a casual chat, they might begin kissing.

2. On the second date, gentleman arrives, calls on cell phone to inform woman he's waiting outside and to hurry up so they won't miss the movie. Upon arriving back to her home, they begin kissing and probably will bypass the front room and go straight to the bedroom.

3. On the third date, I believe they are boyfriend and girlfriend now, if there is a third date? No flowers, no candy, they never made it to a fancy restaurant.

Now, this is not true for everyone. The scenarios will change; however, dating activities have definitely changed. Everyone has his/her own views and concepts of dating but we all seem to be to be in a mad rush to find The Right One.

In a perfect world, Valentine's Day would come complete with a rose-scented bath, expensive wine, succulent sweets, and enough time off of work to thoroughly enjoy it all with that special someone. But let's face it; you'll be lucky to leave the office early enough to prepare the normal evening meal let alone anything special. Since running past the supermarket for a bouquet of faded flowers seems a bit cheesy and overdone, what can you do to show your significant other that you care on Valentine's Day without calling in sick? More on Say Happy Valentine's Day from Work

Chemistry? What exactly is that? The following interesting and well-written article talks about 5 different kinds of chemistry:

5 Kinds Of Chemistry: Have You Felt Them All?
By Jonathan Small

Pretty much all of us know what someone’s talking about when they say, “Hey, I was on a date, and — wow — we had incredible chemistry.” In a nutshell, that means that these two people felt such a strong attraction to each other that they couldn’t wait to get somewhere, ahem, a little more private, right? Sure, that may be the most traditional kind of chemistry, but it’s hardly the only type. According to experts, that earth-moving, spark-flying phenomenon can assume many forms. To help you sort through all those crazy feelings you may have for someone, we’ve described five of the most common types of attraction you can experience. Recognizing and savoring all of them can lead to a fantastic, long-lasting relationship.

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Need some tips for adding some spark to your romantic life? Well, here are some suggestions for romantic getaways that will light up the fire in your romance in no time.

ideas for romantic escapes range from very modest to elaborate. Let's take a look at a few, shall we?

Make Your Home a Hideaway

Yes, home. I know: you're probably thinking that this won't work, but if you prepare just a little bit, it will be a great success. What you want is an at home vacation. Schedule your vacation in advance, like if you were leaving home, unplug your phones, and let your friends and family know you are on vacation.

Once your "at home" vacation starts, here are some things you may want to include to add to the experience:

-go to the library, pick out a book you both like, and read it out loud to each other while sitting on your back porch, or by the fireplace.

-rent a documentary about a foreign city you always wanted to visit, like Paris, and afterwards have dinner at a local restaurant that serves the cuisine you would find in that city.

-watch a romantic movie and fall asleep in each other's arms.

Seclusion in the Woods

The woods can be magical. Especially if you apprediate nature's gifts; the singing of birds, trees swaying to a gentle breeze

a vacation away from everything can be wonderfully romantic. You can rent a cabin, or go camping (if you both enjoy it), and really get to know each other again, both emotionally and physically.

Need a few more ideas? Here they are:

-build a fire in your cabin, if it has a fireplace, or a bonfire outside (make sure it's legal!), and roast some marshmallows, which you can feed each other

-go for a long hike, and bring along a blanket so that when you get tired you can lie down in a private area and add some spice to the hike

-make some music together: if you can play an instrument such as guitar or harmonica the better: serenade each other. Or, if you are not musically inclined, bring along a CD of old favorites and sing along with the music

Relax on a Tropical Island

Well, this is a more costly one, but may be well worth it. Why are tropical islands romantic? With the sun and tropical breezes on your bare skin, the sunsets by the ocean, coupled with some quality relaxing time it's impossible not to feel reenergized and more romantic.

While on the island, schedule some pampering for both of you: a nice spa treatment complete with a massage, followed by a glass of quality wine, some chocolates, and whatever else you are inspired to do....

Return to Your Honeymoon Hotel

Call it a second honeymoon or anything you like. But this trip may be even more romantic than the first time you made it.

Now you know each other's bodies enough to be able to drive your partner wild. And with a treasure trove of memories to share, nostalgia will play a great role in the reenactment of this love story.

You may even want to take some new vows: this time design them to protect and rekindle your romance.

Now, what are you waiting for? Go and plan your next romantic getaway!

Here in the US, we're just a few hours away from ushering in the New Year, 2008. Those in the Western coast are closer, those in the Pacific Islands such as Hawaii even more so.

As we reflect on our lives during the year 2007, we cannot help but think of the things that did not go our way, or that we could have done better. It is just human nature, to think more of the things that don't are not right than those which are.

On the positive side, it is the things that we did not do well, or well enough that inspire us to do better next time. This is the basic reason for making all those New Year resolutions: to make an improvement. And it is good.

I'm not against New Year resolutions, but to me everyday should be a new beginning. Most New Year resolutions get broken somewhere along the way. But once one decides that every day is a new beginning, you can always pick up from where you left off, or start something new altogether. All the same, don't let this be an excuse for not sticking to your resolutions.

No dating luck in 2007? My hope and wish is that he/she comes into your life in 2008 (or even sooner). Acceptance that you do need someone in your life is the very first step towards attracting him/her to you and you to him/her.

The next step is to take action. Be proactive. Go out there and meet people. Sign up with a reputable dating site if you have not already done so.

If you have signed up with a dating service, ask yourself if it is the right one for you. You see, some specialty dating site might help you get the right person than general dating sites. There are dating sites for serious or casual dating. There are sites for senior (or mature) dating, for dog lovers, bike lovers, gay or lesbian dating (the list is endless).

Maybe all you need is to tweak you personal profile. Reading up on the subject might help.

And above all, don’t give up. Love is too good a thing to give up on. The right person is out there. You just need a way to meet her/him.

Wishing you a most happy and prosperous New Year, filled with love.

Sincerely,

David