Putting yourself out there

Everyone tells me I've got to put myself out there if I want to meet guys. I guess that's my problem of late. What to do, what to do. I've looked on those online dating sites - and I can't bring myself to do it. It just seems so unnatural. I know thousands of people are doing it. But like I said to my friend, If everyone jumps off the bridge, should I?

I am old fashioned and am determined to stay that way. Last night I did look at one of these dating sites and saw some sample pictures of guys. I got embarrassed just looking at it. I saw a beefy looking cheesy guy - who tried to pose sexy or what not - and I was embarrassed for him.

Maybe I need to put myself out there in the real world. Okay, so here's the dilemma. I'm an introvert who's not comfortable in big crowds. Once in a blue moon - I'll go to a dive bar. But that is seriously once in a blue moon. I'm a simpleton. I'm not into dressing up to go somewhere. It's an awkward phenomenon to me. Dressing up and going somewhere where everyone is trying to impress. I'm into dressing up when it's for me. I could be going to the supermarket, but if I'm in the mood to play Monica Belluci in Malena - I'll dress up and pretend I live in the 1940s and pretend men were like they used to be. That men still believed in courting women, and buying flowers, and trying to impress. Not this business of letting the woman pursue the man. That's just wrong. We like to be chased. And you like to chase us. That is, some of us like to be chased, and some men like to chase.

No for now, I'll still hold steadfast against joining a dating website. I don't want a boyfriend just to have one. I don't want a warm body next to me just to fulfill the status quo. Oh I can have a boyfriend just to have one. I want the real deal. I want love. I want to be in love.

I'm not into getting drunk at a bar and flirting with whatever Tom, Joe, or Harry happens to be at the bar. That's not fun. Sure, I can get attention from a bozo. But I don't want a bozo's attention.

You've got to be amazing. You've got to have passion. A brain, intellect. But not conceited. Don't think you're all that. Because in the end, humility wins with me. You can't be a punk. Manhood - it's a phenomenon that many guys today have lost touch with.

Am I expecting too much? Are my standards unreasonable? I really don't think so.