Dear Harry,

I hope you don’t mind if I call you Harry. Since I’m a big fan of your work, I feel as though I know you. I have to tell you Harry, I’m getting a little frustrated with life on the other side here. You see, I have decided to give ye olde “dating thing” a try once again. As always seems to happen, it’s become an exercise in futility and frustration. I recently decided to post on my favorite web-based classifieds site, Craigslist. Which invariable always lends itself to being a wonderful microcosm of the larger alternate reality that is my life. But rather than my typical post of looking to be a ’ho, I posted in the Miscellaneous Romance section seeking to establish a connection of greater substance and staying power than that of a nanosecond.

Of course forever being the boy who feels the need to be a clever smart ass I posted as follows:

Seeking Shams… – m4m (NOVA)

Modern day Rumi seeks modern day Shams to kick it up a notch and take it to the next level. Or vice versa, as playing a position on either side of the mirror has its benefits and rewards provided one has eyes and heart opened to see and understand what’s reflected.

If this resonates, be in touch.

“I am amazed at the seeker of purity
who when it’s time to be polished
complains of rough handling.”

As part of the posting, I included the Nine of Cups card from the Rumi Tarot deck as a graphic image. I specifically chose that card due to the inference of it being the “wish fulfilled card“.

Of course as always seems to happen, the universe chose to play a bit of joke on me. I received the following email from a gentleman who calls himself Thomas Jones with the most lovely shirtless photo of himself included as part of the message.

Maybe Shams here in Tysons – this is me – what are you like and what other cards you have up your sleeve – as you can see don’t have any sleeves at the moment – but be happy to be dealt a hand by an intriguing friend like you.

Thomas

I responded with the following:

Dearest Thomas (Shams?)

You’re a fan of Rumi as well? My heart does once again skip a beat as I gaze upon your image and read your words. Tho’ fleeting, our paths have crossed (virtually) before. Perhaps my last response to you proved to be far too enigmatic? It’s both a blessing and a curse. Today, perhaps Aphrodite will be kind and assist with my words so I will be less inclined toward clever but be more bent toward brevity and clarity.

What am I like? I am like the scent of a newly opened bud on the wind. A marvel to behold but impossible to touch and evermore to posses. Lerd, <insert sound of record scratch here> there I go with the poetry again. Sorry. Can’t help myself.

Here’s the skinny quickly (nor not so). Native of the area. Pretty laid back for the most part. But get annoyed, at times, with the trappings of living in a major metropolitan area. As a gentleman for whom I once carried a torch once said, “Ya takes the good with the bad.” Contemplative with a kinky streak (but yet to explore the latter at any great length). Like movies (both in home and out) and music. Highly creative and enjoy nearly any and every pursuit in that regard. Would love to find a partner who is the same to work in tandem creatively. As to the spiritual pursuits, kind of a mish-mash. Try to meditate daily. Enjoy talking about and exploring anything related to consciousness/mysticism. Again, would love to find a partner inclined toward the same. I think one can only learn so much on their own. Wicked sense of humor. Take very little seriously including myself. Very strong connection with the fool/heyoka.

Trained in massage and love any and everything related to touch. Hoping to add Reiki to the mix soon.

Presently both live and work in North Arlington. Work at Ballston live in an area called Waverly Hills (think near the corner of Glebe and Lee Highway).

What other cards have I up my sleeve presently? Perhaps the Wheel of Fortune? The 10 of Cups if fortune shines brightly.

Attaching a pic. My hair is longer these days. A little longer than yours appears in the photo you sent. As to build. I’m probably a little slighter than you and naturally smooth.

Hope to hear back from you to see what the cards may have in store.

Be well!

Of course, I never received a reply from him. What was ever more frustrating with this particular advert was the *very* next day I received a reply from a gentleman who also has replied more than once to a post of mine. Again, several emails traded and he’s not gotten back to me.

The evening after this happened A. came over for a massage and a little fun. As I was working on him, I lamented the fact that I’d heard from this guy twice. And twice he’d not gotten back to me with a response at least to say, I’m not interested.

A. counseled with the thought for many guys Craigslist is entertainment for when they’re bored at work. And they’ll often answer ads that sound interesting to see if they can get a response from the person. “It’s essentially a game for them.” he said. “I know this.” I responded, “But I’m tired of the games. I really get so tired of my time being wasted.”

“I know.” he replied, “It gets frustrating.”

“It does.” I said, “And evermore so with this guy as I find him smoking hot. So it think that’s what’s so frustrating about it. As it pushes all my buttons about wanting to find someone who I feel as intense a physical attraction as possibly spiritual. However, I have to figure if he’s such a game player he obviously hasn’t the spiritual grounding I desire.”

“True.” replied A.

So dear Harry,  as I sit here and type this letter I have to wonder, “What’s the deal?” When is the Universe going to cease playing games? When am I going to find this mythical creative/spiritually inclined significant other?

I believe the Universe may have answered that call in a response I got to this same posting shortly after those I received from Doubting Thomas and Flaky Frank.  But more on that later.

Hope all is well on the other side.