I'm sure that there are lots of us Knoxvillians who are spending our Valentine's Day alone.  I should be used to it by now, but I don't think you ever get "used to" loneliness.  And you know what the worst part is?  It's like some vicious cycle.  Unless I'm willing to compromise everything I believe in, and everything that I'm holding out for in a guy, I'll probably spend every Valentine's Day from here to eternity in solitude. 

As a rule, I don't get involved with guys I work with.  Even if I had no personal objections to it, in my profession it would be career suicide to entertain such thoughts.  I go to a small church, but for the most part, the members are much older than me, and even if that were not the case, they're all married!  I've tried the online dating thing, which proved to be a complete failure.  Apparently, eHarmony thinks there's only one guy in the entire state of Tennessee who is compatible with me.  And considering that I've already met him, and that it didn't end happily, I suppose I'm doomed. 

Where do we go in this town to meet nice guys?  I am not looking to meet guys in bars.  Don't get me wrong - I'm not a fuddy duddy.  I enjoy going to live band shows from time to time.  I enjoy a nice cold beer from time to time.  But I am not the slightest bit interested in meeting a barfly who is only interested in me because he is blinded by beer goggles! 

I apologize for the rant.  My intentions are not to bash this holiday.  It's a beautiful day for all those in love.  It's a day of hope for all those who have recently met someone and are anxious to see what happens next.  But for those of us with no one special in our lives, it's a day to reflect on our imperfections.  After all, there surely must be some since we're being blackballed by the opposite sex!