How To Date On Craigslist

I couldn't help it; his email was password was just too easy to crack. His cat's name? He must've wanted me to take a peek.

My fingers hesitantly pecked at the inbox, and suddenly, I was reading my recent ex's email. To my horror, he had placed a singles ad on Craigslist. He truly was moving on.

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I'd like to say I didn't sit home feeling sorry for myself, but, of course, that would be lying. Weeks passed; I started to flirt a little. But at 36, it seemed every cute or kind man near my age was married with children. I'd heard it said that the older you are, the harder it is to start over, and the fewer the decent, eligible men there are. Was it really true? I was starting to feel like an overripe piece of fruit on a tree, about to rot. Had I held out too long for the perfect man? Read: Why Am I Still Single?

Eventually I got sick of throwing myself pity parties; I had to try something. Ahh, I thought. Craigslist is free—and anonymous. And my ex was trying it, why shouldn't I? I wondered what would happen if I posted a wish list online.

Sure, Craigslist has had its share of troubles (the recent Craigslist Killer comes to mind) but I'd be using the online personals section—which is for legitimate dating—and not the "casual encounters" section—which is just what it sounds like. Would it be possible to find just what I wanted?

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To summon my courage, I got in touch with my inner Angelina Jolie, imagining myself sweeping across the globe on humanitarian missions with a tall, handsome, loving, financially-secure humanitarian at my side. We'd save the world and love each other, maybe even start a family. What an amazing life we'd live!

I invented an email address for myself and posted my ad: LOOKING FOR A HUMANITARIAN. I poured my heart into it. It read: