You can't light a fire without a spark

Dating in the noughties is tough. Gone are the halcyon days when you'd head down the local boozer on a friday, surrounded by a small posse of like-minded mates. No longer can you down 10 cocktails, dance round your handbag for a couple of hours then head home with the likeliest prospect for a night of wanton (and often very drunken) bed wrestling. Not if you're looking for more than a quick tumble for a couple of nights (which I admit, is tons of fun).

In the eighties and nineties we bought how-to books like 'Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus', but not anymore. There are singles nights, speed dating events, and an increasing horde of internet dating sites all claiming to be the best and capable of matching you with your perfect partner.

It seems that the most common form of dating in today's society is online, but however you try it, the internet dating pool is far from a smooth sail. Whether you dip your toe in, or dive in head first, there are things to consider before you take the plunge.

You have to decide on what you want out of your experience. After all, this is the internet and people will offer pretty much anything on there. Whilst you are happily telling the world your deepest darkest relationship secrets and searching for the perfect fit, the sharks are circling ready for fresh meat.

Why is dating so hard? All anyone seemes to want is a likeminded soul, willing to share their life, but so many people still seem to be living a lonely existance. I chat to my friends, both girls and guys, and the stories are always so similar. Guys are idiots, girls are insane yada yada yada.

Why do we find it so hard to communicate? I know loads of guys who are looking to settle down, yet most of my girlfriends claim that there are no guys like that out there. I know several girls who don't want to be tied down yet, they're too busy enjoying their lives, but again, I hear guys saying that all girls are out to trap themselves a hubby.

When did we stop understanding the opposite sex? I met a lady recently who had celebrated her 70th wedding anniversary a week previously. When the Queen had her 50th wedding anniversary, she invited 50 other couples who married in the same year to Buckingham Palace for a tea party. There were so many couples that they had to have a lottery to choose the invitees. Clearly in years gone by, we didn't have as many problems communicating with each other.

I do firmly believe that there is someone for everyone, you just have to find them. Personally, I have no clue about what goes through a guys head. I have no clue about what goes through most girls heads. Hell, half the time I can't work out what's going on in my own head! All I know right now is this. Yes, one day I want to meet the right guy and start a family, but right now I'm enjoying my life. I like meeting new people, I like having fun and believe it or not I even enjoy my occasional run-in's with the local sharks, though I may need to get a bigger boat ;)