Welcome!  What’s new?

Do you find there are times of the year when you’re more eager to date than others?  Personally, as someone who used to be a lot heavier than he is now, the entirety of summer was once my off-season.  I didn’t feel completely confident unless I could hide myself under a few extra layers; plus, perspiration was (and still is) a huge worry in the humid July air of New York.  Even now, I struggle to find something that’s warm weather-appropriate but still looks good enough to make a solid impression.  (Button-down? Polo shirt? T-shirt? Whatever, it’s all getting drenched anyway…)

But sometimes it’s not about weather at all; sometimes you just…don’t feel like it, even though you’re aware this is something you definitely want and need in your life.  So you take a break for awhile, and then freak out because it’s been far too long since you even tried to meet someone, and you keep getting older and older and OLDER and…

Say, isn’t romance grand?  Feel free to share your innermost thoughts, and as always, here are some Dos and Don’ts:

• Do feel free to participate!  Obviously, everyone is welcome to contribute, regardless of orientation, identity, relationship preference, or kink.  Also, don’t feel like you MUST be single to post here; although the focus will be primarily on those of us seeking relationships, absolutely anybody can join in.
• Don’t be too mean or too gross.  The Open Thread is a great place to blow off steam and not take anything seriously, but here no one should feel too intimidated to get personal, lest some quipster unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings or derail the whole conversation.
• Do share as many or as few intimate details as you feel comfortable with, although you may want to spare us the especially graphic TMI details (or at least cover them with spoiler tags.)  I don’t view the fabulous Avocado Sex Thread as a competing forum; let’s just say this thread is intended for related yet slightly different subject matter–the actual pursuit of romance, rather than the nitty-gritty of Banging It Out.
• Don’t confuse this thread for an actual dating site.  While some Avocados have initiated IRL relationships on the Open Thread and elsewhere, I don’t want people (especially newcomers) getting the impression this is a place to FIND a date.  Drop innuendos at your own risk; make anyone feel too uncomfortable and you will hear from a Moderator.

Have fun, and happy hunting!