Online dating. Yup, I caved.

I did it. I have finally had enough of the lame and somewhat seedy, STD-ridden bar scene of LA. I am now an 'online dater.' I feel like I should stand up in front of an AA meeting and say, "Hi, my name is Amber, and I'm new to online dating." The thing is, EVERYONE'S DOING IT. Seriously. I have to thank my friend Buckley for finally convincing me to peruse the innumerable amounts of online profiles in the hope of finding "true love." I still believe it's possible. Don't ask me how I still believe it, but god dammit, I do.

Maybe it's the new collective consciousness... getting all of the small talk and bullshit out of the way and actually representing yourself as a real person- being who you feel you are, and standing for the ideals you believe in. Maybe it's the new chapter in the history of my generation. Or maybe it's just a fad. Only time will tell... well, that and the success versus disaster probability equation.

Thus far, I have had the most amazing experiences from this online dating thingy. For the most part, people actually are who they say they are, and represent themselves truthfully. Weird, right?! The internet, a place of complete desirable autonomy, a place where you can lie your fucking face off and have others believe you, a web of the dark possibilities of the grotesque, and a breeding ground of socially deviant behavior. Guess what? Your parents are wrong. The internet is becoming a vast tool for the masses, and incredible place of truth and discovery, a place of freedom and expression. It amazes me more every day. Well, until I go out on a blind date that turns into disaster, but so far so good.

Just don't be overwhelmed by the inundating amount of dating sites available to the average person. I've heard rumors that Match.com is just a hookup sight for floosies of both sexes... Eharmony.com is for ugly people... Craigslist.org is for the lonely loser, etc... who knows if any of this is true. My most recent discovery is OkCupid.com. It's like the google of online dating, and it's totally free. AND people are real and good looking! How is this possible? How did we all find each other? Word of mouth, people, word of mouth. OkCupid.com doesn't need to advertise. They just are... like moths to the flame, like attracts like. And I have been impressed by the vast amount of seemingly normal, down to earth, beautiful people I have stalked via profile views online. Haha... kidding. I'm never one to stalk.. that's just creepy.. especially since there is no voyeuristic mystery to OkCupid.com, it's all out there for everyone to see. Damn straight, that's how it should be.

All in all, I am embarking on a new adventure... so far, so good! And no, I will NOT tell you my profile name.

Enter Sandman... 94.7 The Wave steeze.

ahhh the smooth jazz version of Metallica's "Enter Sandman"....

If you like amazing voices...

Then you'll like this chick.... http://www.myspace.com/whitton

Billie Holiday rolled into Regina Spektor and baked at 350 degrees in a Norah Jones oven... americana goodness... banjos and the like.

Joke of the day

 A chicken and an egg were lying in bed one night. The chicken was smoking a cigarette with a smug grin on its face, the egg looking thoroughly ticked off. The egg looks at the chicken and says, "Well, I guess we finally answered THAT question!"

The next Big Thing... Grace Jones meets James Brown

This chick is the new shit.  http://www.jmonae.com/   She's the perfect amount of weirdo mixed with  talent.

If I could buy stock in success, I would.  Now I have to go practice my booty shakin.

Ridiculous amounts of cuteness.

http://dailysquee.com/ 

If you're feeling down and need some warm fuzzies, this is the site for you.  SQUEEEE!  Why are baby everythings so damn cute?  Except for baby insects... those fuckers are scary.

My dreadlocks.... the mystery revealed.

Just about 5 times per day, someone asks about my hair.  It's a MYSTERY to them...  except for the ones that run up to me holding a picture of themselves when they used to have locks and tell me some reason why they had to cut them off.  I'm like, 'You carry around a photo of yourself with dreads all the time?'  I admit, it's kind of a brotherhood (and/or sisterhood, but it's always dudes who approach me about how dope their locks were 'back in the day'...)  or like a secret society of earthy people. I dig it.

That said, there are always those damn ignorant people who ask me the stupidest shit.  I was ordering a coffee one fine morning and the chick behind the counter says, "So you put manure in your dreads to make them like that, right?"  Really?! Really really?  Gee yes, I put cow shit in my hair.  What a wonderful assumption.  And thank you for that, you really made my morning.

So, let me reveal the incredible mystery that are my dreadlocks.

Yes, they are real and it is all my own hair.

No, I do not put manure, honey, mud, glue or any other kind of crap in my hair.

Yes, I wash it.  A lot.  Like 3 times per week, which is a lot for anyone with dreads.

No, I don't have to shave my head when I want to get rid of them, but I will have to cut my hair short since it will be so damaged.

No, I am not homeless, nor do I sleep on the street or in my car...  I pay rent and taxes and have a very lovely career.

No, I will not steal anything from you.

No, I am not stoned ALL the time.

Yes, my mom hates them, but they've grown on her since I've had them so long.

No, you cannot pay me to make dreads in your hair. Do it yourself, kid.

Also, I love when people play with my dreads, but come on, ASK me first.  I was at the Viper Room one night and this chick behind me just grabbed my hair... outta nowhere.  I'm never one to be rude, so I just kinda turned around and smiled sheepishly.  THEN she asked if she could touch them... hmm. Oh well, ok, since you already have been for the last 5 minutes.. keep at it.

All in all, I love my hair.  It's become a part of me...  they hold a lot of energy (Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet were totally right).  It's the stigmas attached to them that piss me off, but I guess it just comes with the territory.  If you want dreads, be prepared to look homeless for the first 2 years while they lock up.  And you will lose 1/2 the length of when you started them.  Yes, HALF.  Cops will fuck with you.  Your mom will hate them.  You will be pulled out of line at the airport.  People will ask you ignorant questions.  But on the bright side, you will attract like-minded souls wherever you go... you will also get smoked out a lot.  Like, a lot.