Online Dating

So let's face it, Online Dating is now not so taboo.  Everyone is not worried about meeting in a dark alley, getting mugged (or worse) by some mysterious man in disguise.  Although we have to be cautious when meeting anyone we're meeting for the first time - online or not - Online Dating is now one of the most common ways people are meeting these days.

What I wanna know is...what's the catch?

Is it all the cheesy commercials on TV that we see, where people see their partners profile, and picture them "in their passenger seat of life"? Or is it that the commercials are superficial in the sense that they show very attractive looking individuals that are finding that Mr. or Mrs. Right?

I hate to be a Debbie Downer here folks, but I feel that its the latter of the two.  Unfortunately, not everyone that joins these online dating sites is as good-looking as your local Brad Pitt or as bodacious as having Pamela Anderson as your next door neighbour.  I am speaking if this from experience.  Yes, that's right - I am/have been a member to a few online dating site myself. 

What you normally find is Steve Erkel with a picture of his gorgeous counterpart Stephan. Here's a picture reference for those of you who don't recall those episodes of Family Matters

Another really disappointing part about online dating is when you read profiles and then you think...didn't I just read this profile? So you check to make sure the username is different and sure enough it is.  Are guys that lacking in creativity that they ALL do the same hobbies, read the same books, play the same sports,  participate in the same activities as the next one?

Or, the fact that they are only on these sites because they are "too busy" to date that they are also "too busy" to put any sort of information about themselves into their profile...what makes you think that I'll not assume that your also "too busy" to pay any attention to me during a date where were suppose to get to know each other??

Lastly, I have a hard time with that fact that for these sites to really help match you with those that you will have some interests with that you have to pay.  Paying to meet someone for a date...isn't that just a sneaky way of prostitution?? LOL!!  I think 1 out of god knows how many sites out there, guarantee that you'll meet someone in a certain time frame or your money back. 

Sure there is free sites, but then you gotta wade through those whack jobs that are on there to; check out girls pictures while they indulge in "self-pleasure", those just looking for random hook-ups, the ones who are trying to find someone because their mom told them they were special, and lastly those that were signed up by their friends in some funny joke on a drunken night. 

Newsflash people - I have better things to do with my time.  Which yes, I do wish included a date or two....or 10 lol, but I'm not swimming through a ocean of fish, to find a few toads, kiss them and HOPE I find my prince charming.

If you feel that online dating is being "falsely" representing in this blog, gimme your thoughts.  Prove me wrong! OR...find me a date so I am less bitter about being single & ready to mingle (this doesn't include one night stands) and not being able to so!

Till next time..

xo

Candisse

Do good things really come to those who wait?

Everyone has heard the saying "Good things come to those who wait".



Great saying, teaches people to be patient in life, which everyone does need to do.  However, the saying leaves so many unanswered questions.  Questions such as...

1. What qualifies a "good thing?
2. How long do you have to wait?
3. Will it be obvious when the good things are coming, to those who have been waiting?

As some of you may know, I have been waiting to have the financial means to purchase a new wheelchair accessible van.  Family, friends and myself have been devoting hours of time to different fundraisers trying to reach our goal of $50,000.00  (huge amount of cash money huh?).  So far, we've raised ALMOST $7000...which leaves us with a long road of more fundraising ahead of us.  I'm okay with that, because never would I suspect that something of such huge value was easily given to me.

However the desperate need for a new wheelchair accessible van, is increasing as each month goes by, and another trip is completed with my van.

For those of you who are just learning about my situation right now...here's a bit of added details:

Currently, my parents own a full-size 1991 Chevy Van, equipped with a hydraulic wheelchair lift to transport me in my power wheelchair, where I am most comfortable, and which is my only source of transportation.  Due to this being the only vehicle I am able to get around in, it has been used VERY well for both work purposes and for any social activities in my everyday life.  Although the van is still currently running, it has needed more and more repairs recently and is starting to show its years of wear and tear. For example, there have been several problems lately getting the wheelchair lift down to ground level.   The lift is costly to repair because it is not covered by Aids to Daily Living (AADL – a government program that assists individuals with disabilities to cover related expenses) and the hourly charge for a technician is $70.00 in addition to parts.  Lastly, with the van being older, it’s not very fuel efficient adding to an already tight budget I experience only being able to work part-time.

Thankfully my job allows me to work from home.  It takes a burden off me finding a ride to work each day.  However, at times my job requires me to travel which takes great planning.  I must find someone (family member & friends) who is available to drive me on these days. This also affects my personal/social life as well. Currently I have an agreement with Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) which allows me to offer an hourly wage to those who drive me.  This agreement was formed specifically for my work purposes when I have to travel for work. It sometimes requires my driver to take time off from their own job and they may be waiting countless hours for me to finish my work. Although I am grateful MDC has allowed me to work within this arrangement, this money could be better spent providing much needed services to our clients. My hope is that I can be as independent as possible to provide the best services to others living with Muscular Dystrophy, and to live a happy active lifestyle in my spare time.

I have been looking into purchasing a new wheelchair adapted mini-van.  Most mini-vans out there today are modified for accessibility by dropping the floor 10”, then installing a ramp between the floor of the van which is operated with just the touch of a button along with the sliding side door.  Also an “EZ Lock” tie down system to strap down the power wheelchair can be installed.  This system works automatically, so you do not have to have someone else tie down the chair (reducing the risk of human error in securing straps). New mini-vans are also more easily adaptable for someone like myself with limited upper body strength. With the right adaptations, I would be able to drive on my own, which is something I hope to do in the near future.  I have already went for pre-driving testing to see what adaptations would be needed, and mine are not going to be the typical hand controls that are most often used.  I am going to need an electronic system that allows people like me the freedom and independence of driving on their own.

I also have future plans for this van or van fund.  For the van itself, if there is a point in time where I no longer use it and it is still in running condition, I would like to donate it back to the community of High River with the intention that it becomes a wheelchair accessible taxi.  As for additional funds that are collected/raised, I would like to continue the momentum and grow this into a charity that would allow me to provide funding to other individuals like me who are also in need of purchasing a new wheelchair accessible van or adaptations.

As you can see, this isn't JUST about me, and needing a new ride.  Right now, yes, I am the focus of the fundraising, but I believe that giving back is just as important as getting.

Now - back to the idea of "good things coming to those who wait".

Well so far I have been waiting for the funds to be available to me for this purchase of a new van, for at least 3 years.  I must admit, it's frustrating that it has been so many years and we're still so far away from our goal.  Yet I am so so thankful for what has been done thus far.  It's a starting point that can only grow from here.

In the last few days, I have received and learnt some information that has given me hope that my efforts will soon be rewarded.  I am working on learning more and figuring out more of the details to see if it really is going to work out for me, and will be sure to keep everyone posted.

But for now...I'm agree with the saying.  Good things DO come to those who wait. 

So next time your feeling frustrated with life, and things not going as you had planned.  Remember that little saying, take a deep breath, and know that your time will come, then believe it!

Signing off filled with hope

xo

Candisse

p.s. For information about our fundraising efforts, join our Facebook group "The Can Van"

Candisse...a blogger?

Yes folks...it's true.  I have decided to try my hands at blogging. 

The winter is a dreaded time of year for anyone.  Well maybe not my Dad - he thinks all things winter are fantastic.  Sure it's his busy season for his line of work...but he SERIOUSLY loves winter, the cold, the snow, the whole shebang!

*This is starting to confirm my thoughts that I was switched at birth...lol...I'm kidding*

Back to winter...yes most hate it and it interferes with their life.  Well, it really interferes with mine.  Did you know that snow and ice and cold is not the greatest thing for people in wheelchairs?? Well it is...it totally sucks.  You get stuck, you slide everywhere when you do try to get going, your in a constant battle with your house trying to keep your floors clean cause you track in more snow then Bigfoot would.

It makes me want to become a hermit. Who am I kidding, it makes me a hermit.  I only go out when I have to, even though I know its not a good way to get through winter life.

However, thanks to winter and all its ugliness...something beautiful has come from it...my Blog.

I hope you enjoy what you read...I am sure it will get more interesting as I get in the my blog-groove.  So be sure to keep comin back.

Till next time

xo
Candisse