Technology at its Best

'keep dreaming' said my colleague looking over my shoulder.

I smiled, realising she had caught me making a sideways glance at a really stunning model staring out at me from the advert alongside my on-line banking websitethat I spent most lunch times on, usually willing my balance to look better, I was taking in his lovely eyes and fantastic six pack, oblivious to whatever aftershave he was probably advertising.

'Hmm I know' I replied 'None of em like that round 'ere is there'

I tried to hide my disappointment at the truth in my statement. At 27 I was far from unhappy,I had a great job working as an administrator for 'Taylors web design', lived in a lovely town, had a nice little flat and loads of friends to share my spare time with. But sadly, one thing in my life that never worked out and seemed to always endin disaster was relationships.

Take Joe for example, he had been great looking, great company and really considerate. A lovely person to be with. But sadly he had turned out to be the same with my close friend too!

Or Mike, he was successful, handsome, keen, but wouldn't even wash his socks without asking his mother for permission.

Oh and let's not even talk about Sam, he was really interested in me and keeping me happy. But was hoping he could sit a home on the PC all day and I would happilykeep the finances ticking over.

So, all in all, I hadn't had much look with men, and was seriously doubting the one alongside my on-line banking website was going to walk into my life right now!

'You ever thought of joining a social network?' my colleague asked.

I was slightly taken aback, firstly because I sensed she may have seen my desperation for finding a relationship that works, and secondly because she was suggesting I may even think about joining a social network site.

'Hmmm, no' I said abruptly

'You should, it's easy, you only have to choose a user name, stick in a couple of details and away you go, it's great for finding people you've lost contact with, but also great for meeting new people, try it'

I scoffed at her and turned back to my PC, but half of me was wondering whether this may be worth a go. It wastrue that there were people I had lost touch with that I would love to find. Definitely true that I enjoy meeting new people and who knows, I may be lucky enough to come across someone on there and build a relationship with them. I spent the rest of the afternoon contemplating it and thinking of the weird and wonderful things I could possibly use for a user name.

That evening I sat at my laptop and searched for a social network site, I came across one which looked OK and I had also heard many many people talking about, so decided to join it. After an hour of messing around I'd found a few old friends and most of my family, but hadn't even worked out how to expose myself to meeting new people. I decided finding the past was good fun though so I wasn't too worried, just a little disappointed that it didn't seem to be the best one for meeting new people.

I'd grown pretty bored of my new found social networking by the next week, and found myself back at work, filling my lunch times once again with on-line banking chores when I looked up to see a very handsome man with the most lovely smile looking back at me. I could hardly speak as I established he was here to do some maintenance work, I sent him off in the right general direction and left him to it, not being able to help peeking over occasionally to see what he was up to.

Over the next few weeks the 'maintenance guy' was at work regularly, doing several bits and bobs my boss had lined up for him. We had eventually shared a conversation which had progressed onto more conversations and him asking me if I was on the social network site I had joined weeks ago. Establishing I was we'd acquired each others user nameand had spent many evenings talking endlessly on it. We got on infamously and it wasn't long before we became closer then just friends.

Now Four years on weare due to get married in the summer, it still makes me smile to think that the day I took someones advice on social networking I had thought I would meet someone and build a relationship when what in fact happened was I met someone and built our relationship on social networking!.........