You claim to know that I am looking for the following:-

• Girls, who like guys
• Ages 20–30
• Located near me
• Photos don’t matter
• Are single

Now, here is the profile of someone who turned up in my quiver. You might notice that although this user fits four of those five criteria, he doesn't quite fit the one criterion which is particularly important to me.

(Although he is kinda hot. You know. If I swung that way. Which I don't.)

Are you one of those woman who has one journal post that just says "I need to post this to get to 100%"?

I've seen a lot of these, and it always bores me. They always say "Oh, I don't see the point of keeping a journal here."

Well, I'm here to tell you the point: it gives guys something to message you about, other than how much they want to see your tits.

If you don't write interesting journal posts, you really have no space to complain about only receiving those kinds of messages.

Ok, so it won't stop guys messaging you wanting to see your tits, because the people who don't bother to read your profile aren't going to care whether you have journal posts or not, but at least it increases your chances of getting an interesting message from someone awesome. Like me.

I know a lot of people already know this, but I'm seeing that a lot of people don't, so I'm just putting it out there again, hoping it'll help.

Set your match settings for use around the site. This helps us show you only the people you’re interested in. These preferences will be used on home, Quiver, Quickmatch, and journals. Updates may not take effect immediately.

Am I just being dense, or can I only choose between "within 25 miles" or "anywhere". What about "within 100 miles", eh?

Also, girls who like guys, ages 20 to 30 within 25 miles of me, who are single.

• Who have a photo: Your settings match about 236 people.
• Photos don't matter: Your settings match about 1448 people.

That... can't be right, can it? There are over five times as many people without photos as there are with photos?

Getting a bus to Edinburgh tonight! Getting the train to the bus station in about two hours.

Looking forward to getting back to Scotland, but also kind of nervous. Have to get the bus, then in Edinburgh find out how to get to the university, find somewhere to get a passport photo taken, then check in to my temporary accommodation.

Saturday will be good, meeting a few internet friends I've never met before (and one I have, briefly, in the dark, years ago). Some relief there.

Then on Monday I have to meet my supervisor at lunchtime and then go to a pre-registration meeting in the afternoon, and on Tuesday actually register and stuff.

All the while trying not to run out of what little money I have left, and trying to find a flat while convincing landlords it's ok that I can't put a deposit down until next Friday (having to move out of my temporary accommodation on the Saturday).

Stressed!

I just want a woman who's nice, interesting, not crazy, smart, gorgeous, nerdy and nearby who actually wants a relationship.

Is that too much to ask?

For my other two wishes I would like:-

• world peace
• for Elite IV to be released

Sincerely,
friendpolarbear

Hi from OkCupid.

One of your photos was flagged by OkCupid users for being inappropriate. After being reviewed and voted on by our moderators the consensus was to remove the photo.

The most common reasons for picture removal are:

1. The picture doesn't have YOU in it.
2. Cropping that doesn't show your face
3. Copyrighted material
4. Extreme closeups
5. Non-photos or photos of pets, children, etc.
6. Celebrity/fake uploads
7. Disgusting stuff that scars us
8. Porn or nudity

9. It was a "photo" (i.e. flowchart) OKC automatically uploaded to my profile without my input on the matter in the first place? I mean, really.

Ok, so I'm sure the body type option in profile details is new, and I'm sure I never set it.

Why would that default to 'skinny'? What sense does that make, at all, in the world, ever?

(My actual body type is probably more along the lines of 'average', but I'm going to leave that detail as 'skinny' as a sign of protest -- especially as I was just thinking today why such an option would be a bad idea!)

So tell me now, and I won't ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow?
Will you still love me tomorrow?
Will you still love me tomorrow?

This has got to be the most sheer fucking genius use of repeat to fade in the history of pop music. She says she's only going to ask once, then asks three times, turning the whole message of the song from a regretful sigh of "I know what boys like you are like" into a pointed statement on insecurity, without adding any extra lyrics.

Someone today, in the context of dating, said my accent "is like wasted currency".

I suppose there's some truth to that. I'm moving to Edinburgh, a place where my accent will no doubt be met with indifference, and rather uninterested in doing the long-distance thing (again). I'll have to rely on my good looks and natural charm to meet ladies. Oh dear.

Someone, the other week, told me "your accent sounds like my tits".

I suppose there's some truth to that. It's both a blessing, in that it attracts people, and a curse, in that it attracts shallow people. People who only want me for my accent in the same way that people only want my friend for her tits. In a way, I'm glad I can move somewhere that won't be an issue. She can't, obviously.

I don't know what point I was trying to make, here, but I'm sure it was good.

Mostly posting this here so I can find it myself easily when I want to. Since I don't speak German, it's difficult to memorise.

Denn das Schöne ist nichts als des Schrecklichen Anfang, den wir noch grade ertragen, und wir bewundern es so, weil es gelassen verschmäht, uns zu zerstören.

For beauty is naught but the start of terror, which we are still just able to endure, and we admire it because it serenely disdains to destroy us.

Rainer Maria Rilke