Category Archives: Lifestyle

How to Catch a Catfish

Posted in Lifestyle by

You just found the cutest guy/babenest girl on Tinder and you’re chatting up a storm with them. They seem so perfect for you… almost too perfect.

With the internet nowadays, especially online dating apps like Tinder and Blendr, one has to be very careful when getting close with someone you only know through an app or website. It could turn out that your guy that resembles Ryan Gosling turns out to be a whale named Brutus. Literally. A whale.

You could be talking to this if you're not careful... (SOURCE: Brian Henderson's Flickr.)

You could be talking to this if you’re not careful… (SOURCE: Brian Henderson’s Flickr.)

The term catfish was born from the film with the same name that played on the aspect of someone being fooled online… and thus, the term was born. The concept of catfishing is so popular that it has warranted its own TV show that reunites online lovers and figures out whether they’re real or not.

As a true investigative journalist, I went seeking a catfish on a dating app. I found one. It took me all of five minutes to figure out that I was being catfished and after I caught them out, I asked them questions as a journalist as to why they did what they did. I use the word “they” because I don’t know if it was a female or male that I was talking to.

“Knowing what people are like, they would never go for me,” he/she said.

I asked them if they would ever go that far that they make someone fall for them, and they replied emphatically: “Trust me, it has and I would never let it get that far.”

If you’re having worries that your seemingly special someone is actually fake, there a few handy tips to get around the situation without alerting the other person that you’re onto them:

Tip #1: Request a very specific picture of them
Assuming that you are quite close with this person, sneak in a very specific picture request from them. For example, if the person has a tattoo, ask them for a close-up picture of said tattoo. If they send you one, don’t be sold yet that they’re real – they might just had luck with stealing someone else’s pictures. If that person has shown you his/her cute nephew, ask for a cute picture of them two together. If they turn down either one of these seemingly simple requests, chances are that your lover is a fake.

Tip #2: Ask them details about their life, and then repeat
So your lover has a picture of them and their sister together, ask what the sister’s name is. Sandra? Oh that’s a nice name. Write that down. A week later, and you’ve happened to forget their sister’s name. “Oh what was it again?” Jenny. “Oh that’s interesting, because I thought her name was Sandra.” Caught out. Most catfishes don’t keep track of the lies they spit out so chances are you’ll catch them out with a well thought-out plan like that. And don’t fall for the “Oh Jenny is her real name, Sandra is her middle name” bullcrap. It doesn’t work.

Tip #3: Request meet-ups with no real intention of meeting up
You have doubts that your person is real, so do the simple thing and “go that step further in your relationship” – request a face-to-face meeting. If your catfish has a soul, they’ll politely turn down the meeting with an ignorant excuse of some sort. Go along with it, and then request another meeting. The same thing’ll happen, and you’ll know the answer. You’re being catfished. Sorry.

As always, be wary of who you talk to online. You can’t trust a pretty face on an app just because it’s, well, pretty.

– by The Black Widow

Dating Nikki: Casual dating

Posted in Dating Nikki by

This one is for the commitment-troubled or those resistant to relationships who still want that lovey dovey feeling. Or just someone to spoon at night.

cooltext369795130486898

So you want to go out on dinner dates and watch a movie with someone in the backseat but you don’t want anything to be “too serious” or long-term. While you may have been frowned upon and even christened with a bright red A previously, in the 21st century, that is a completely normal thing to want. If you’re not already familiar with the term, let me introduce you to “casual dating.”

Life and casual dating according to Nikki
What is casual dating?
Casual dating is when you date one or more people at the same time in a casual and relaxed state, and I mean date in the literal sense – you go out and play putt putt together, or go for a nice hike in the mountains together. Casual dating isn’t used to find that “special somebody” but more for getting to know other people better in a more intimate manner. And yes, you could be banging your casual dates at the same time as well. Casual dating can also be used to find what qualities you want and don’t want in a potential special someone.

What are the benefits of casual dating?
You can see several people at the same time without feeling guilty for cheating. While people may think casual dating is just a term used for “being a slut”, it really isn’t if it’s done properly. Like I said before, it’s a great way to pinpoint certain qualities you would want in a future partner, without getting too serious that you feel pressured to take the next step with them.

How do I go about casual dating?
After you’ve done making that connection with someone, ask them out on a date. However, a huge disclaimer should be made at the beginnings of this budding friendship that you aren’t looking for anything serious. It would be severely awkward if you’re going in looking for a bit of young, innocent fun and the other person is looking for their eternal lover. Once it’s settled, hang out together, cuddle, whatever. The limits are endless.

What should I know about casual dating before I dive in?
The traditional romance enthusiasts don’t think highly of casual dating as they think it’s borderline promiscuous. To them, I say: it’s the 21st century. Just like female celebrities of nowadays don’t act like the female starlets of Grace Kelly’s era, society has changed with time. Casual dating is okay. Judging is not. Also, you may develop actual feelings for someone you are casually dating. If this happens, don’t be alarmed – that’s normal. If a committed relationship is a mutual agreement, do it.

If you need any suggestions for casual dates, the same rules would apply to a couple who are looking for a committed relationship. Go bowling. Go out to dinner. Go for a walk on the beach. Enjoy yourself.

– by The Black Widow

Dating Nikki: Second dates (and their myths!)

Posted in Dating Nikki by

Congratulations! You’ve made it past the first date – now what?

cooltext369795130486898

The all-important second date has its hype for a reason – it’s commonly seen as the make or break for a potential relationship. Sure, your first date went fine enough that you’ve decided to see each other again, but that is based purely off first impressions and “clicking”. The second date, however, will take you more in-depth with your date (no sexual pun intended) so it’s on this date that you will regularly find something you really like or dislike about your date.

However, there are a few second date myths that I would like to personally squash right now.

Second Date Myth #1: It’s okay for me to put out now since it’s not the first date.
WRONG! Don’t let someone else’s anti-first-date-sex opinion affect your decision as to whether or not you go all the way on the second date. If you want to do it on the first date, why not? Nothing wrong with that, just like there’s nothing wrong with having sex on the third date or the seventh date or the night of your wedding. On the other end of the spectrum, don’t go into your second date thinking “I’m definitely getting some tonight.” Don’t be a pig. Oink oink.

Second Date Myth #2: I don’t have to get too dressed up because we’ve past the first date.
Unless your second date with this person is ten years in the future where you have become so accustomed with each other, this is wrong. It’s your second date, not your tenth. Don’t get too comfortable. I’m not saying dip your face in some cake to look good, but don’t get too comfortable with your date to the point of rocking up to his/her house looking like the troll from under the bridge. Just sayin’.

Second Date Myth #3: We did all the talking in the first date so I don’t have to try as hard to get to know him/her.
Again, second date, not your tenth. I’m pretty sure your date didn’t tell you every detail of their life so you don’t know them as well as you think you do. Put in the effort. It’s not that hard.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, here are a few tips for your impending second date:
[x] Don’t let your guard down in any way. You’re not in the clear (AKA relationship) yet.
[x] Do something less formal so you can get to know your date a bit more in a relaxed manner. Instead of the good ol’ dinner and a movie, do something more carefree and fun, like go bowling or ice-skating together.
[x] Surprise your date. Bring her flowers or surprise him by paying for dinner or dessert.
[x] And most importantly (cue the sappy love music), be yourself.

Happy dating, SolSaters!

– by The Black Widow

Dreams for Damien

Posted in Lifestyle by

This is probably not for the faint hearted.

Dreams for Damien is a Facebook page I came across last night and after not even five seconds of looking at it, I was reduced to tears. I have literally never been so moved by a “fan page” of any sort before. It just tugged at my heart strings and on a completely serious note, I felt the need to share it with my followers, readers and fans. It also looks to raise awareness for organ donation.

How could you not? (SOURCE: Dreams for Damien Facebook page)

How could you not? (SOURCE: Dreams for Damien Facebook page)

Taken from the Dreams for Damien Facebook page:
“Damien was diagnosed in utero with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease and we, as his parents, were told he would not likely survive birth because neither his kidneys showed function. We were told should we choose to continue the pregnancy (as if there even WAS a choice to be made here) that we needed to be realistic and plan for a funeral. I will never forget that day and the grief it brought, however we were determined to bring our angel into this world and leave the rest in God’s hands.

Damien arrived at 36 weeks via an induction and was whisked off to the NICU without my ever seeing him, holding him or kissing him to be seen by a variety of specialists. What seemed like an eternity later I was told he looked “great” but was being transferred to another hospital that is better equipped to handle special needs kids. He came home a month later with WORKING KIDNEYS, but in need of an NG tube in his nose as he would not eat by mouth. The dr said to expect his kidneys to gradually fail and be in need of dialysis by 8-10 years of age. Well, they failed at just 4 months due to what we now know to be a wrong initial diagnosis. We discovered through genetic testing that Damien actually suffers from a much worse and far rarer kidney disease known as Nephronopthisis 3. This led to kidney failure, liver failure, severe developmental delays, poor muscle tone, an inability to eat by mouth, bone deformities and heart trouble. At 5 years old he is not potty trained, has never stood up and does not crawl or walk.

Damien has endured dialysis for 5 years now and has had more surgeries than I can count. He underwent a combined kidney/liver transplant last year, however the kidney never “woke up” and so we are back on dialysis 3x/wk, in addition to being severely immunocompromised due to the anti-rejection meds for his new liver. Damien takes 12 medications a day and is seen by numerous specialists. He gets PT, OT and Speech. Because the last kidney failed, he is awaiting another kidney transplant. While our lives are not easy, Damien is a blessing in every way possible, He is larger than life and has taught us the true meaning of love, strength and courage. We thank God every day for allowing us to care for him.

Damien’s medical expenses are numerous. With co-pays, insurance premiums, travel expenses to and from the hospital, an upcoming transplant, and many missed days of work to care for him we have decided to set up a page to allow those who wish to help offset these costs.”

If you wish, donations to Damien can be made on this link here. If not, leave a message on the Dreams for Damien Facebook page, wishing him and the parents well. God knows that a young boy so brave and strong deserves the recognition.

– by The Black Widow