After writing my post on cellphones and romance, I was curious about how widespread this problem is, in particular the use of text messaging in relationships. After all, this is a problem I've faced and we all know that everything here is about me, Me, ME!!! And, lately, the topic has popped up here and there in my world. From my own friends I've heard a story here or there of a woman ending a five year relationship via text, or a couple duking out an issue over SMS, but until I consulted the net, I didn't realize how big the issue is of technology creating barriers in relationships. I love the Washington Post article that starts out "I once had a boyfriend who was Mr. Text-O-Rama." Immediately entertained, I had to keep reading, and I found Natalie Moore's story right on the money in terms of how quickly texting can go from fluttery, good, fun to empty, annoying, nothing, leaving you with extremely tired thumbs As she said, there is "so much passive aggression delivered via tiny rectangular pieces of plastic." Recently, a post on the Baggage Reclaim blog addressed Why You Should Be Wary of Any Man Who is Reliant on Text Messaging, Email, and Instant Messenger, and it elicited a slew of responses from readers who have participated in text-based relationships. Yikes. I don't think this is necessarily a gender-specific problem, though. I think men should be totally wary of women who manage their relationships through text too. Across the board, it's a lazy, impersonal, and often passive aggressive way to relate to someone who you share, or are supposedly trying to build, an intimate connection.

Bottom line--feel free to call me an old fuddy-duddy, I don't mind--I'm using text messages only for making/confirming plans, finding people in crowded meeting places, informing my friends of funny somethings that just happened (it must be shared!), and the occasional flirtatious banter with men who I have plenty of quality in-person time. :-) Because that is good fun. There will be no relationships with texting as the main form of communication.

In fact, I believe this next year overall is going to be about making better, healthier dating choices for myself, namely recognizing and facing up to emotional unavailability, or men who just can't give me what I want, a lot sooner. More often than not, there are subtle signs of what you're dealing with, or even bright red flags flapping in the wind, the entire time. Rather than banking on and waiting patiently for possible change, I've learned you have to ask for what you want, take what is at face value, and then...move on when it isn't good. Now I feel like I'm completely clear about what I'm looking for and what I have to give. I believe it's out there. I've learned a lot during my adventures this past year, and I'm feeling way wiser and more confident as a result.

Peeps, I'm heading off to K Falls later this week for my nearly two week Christmas break with the family. I can't believe it's come up so quickly! I have to tell you that I'm feeling mighty nervous about navigating the Portland airport with the Trav-man and all our stuff. I feel like it could be Major Chaos. For me. I have enough trouble getting myself through the airport, so we'll see how this go. I'm looking forward to Trav time, though. He was here last weekend, and I'd bought him some pudding as a treat for dessert. He was sitting at my little coffee table, scooping it into his mouth, when he stopped to say, "Mmmmm. This is delicious! Thank you, Bacon R.!" How cute is that?