So this sort of amuses me. From the US News & World Report via Jezebel:

Not only do you have to worry about your heart while making dates online, but now your wallet is at risk, too. The Better Business Bureau reports today that complaints about online dating services are on the rise.

The most common gripe? Poor matches. Consumers said they were set up with people who did not meet their criteria, including some who were already married or who smoked despite their request for a nonsmoker.

And the bad dates came at a hefty price, with many services costing upwards of $50 a month.

To protect your money (and heart), the BBB recommends that you be skeptical of advertising for online dating, do a Web search before signing up to see if others have complained about the company, and stand strong against high-pressure sales tactics and automatic contract renewals. (And remember, you can always dispute unfair charges with your credit card company.)

Wow, $50/month?!

Crazy what people will pay when you have free things advertising your single/dating status like, oh, Myspace or OK Cupid or Friendster or Facebook…

Well, I’m going to assume that the dating “services” that are so spendy are catering to a different segment of the population….

Because, you know, as for bad matches…I’ve gotten myself enough IRL bad matches or blind date set-ups to take the online snorers or weirdos in stride. Expecting some online test to perfectly pair you with your dream-person is just dumb. It’s just as dumb as assuming the really hot person you spot from across the room is your dream-person before she opens her mouth. Dumb.

I’m just going to, for a moment, cheerlead and say that my experiences with online dating weren’t any worse than my non-online dating experiences…and that I met the girl I’m blindingly, completely, giddily in love with on OK Cupid and despite our shared interests, values, etc…I’m not sure when we would have ever met in person. I have friends who are friends with her friends, but I can’t think of a social situation where we would have been put together. Nor do I think anyone would have set us up…yet I’ve never met anyone more perfect for me.

Thank you, Internet. I heart you.

You know, I wonder how many people really believe that Obama is Muslim and wants to take the oath of office on the Koran. It’s a pretty easy disinformation campaign, I suppose, preying on peoples’ inherent xenophobia and racism. Whatever.

I so didn’t grow up on the same planet as these people.