1. Dating is scary. One of the first scenes in The Hunger Games involves Katniss volunteering as tribute for her sister. When you say yes to dating someone for the first time, I feel like you sound a lot like Katniss in this scene- panicked, attempting to show bravery, nervous, and suddenly wondering why you volunteered to take off your sweatpants and go on a date instead. Like Katniss, we all instantly think, "What the eff did I just sign up for?"
2. Dating is cutthroat. The whole premise of The Hunger Games is that you have to kill people in order to win. Obviously I'm not killing people when I'm dating, but we're not exactly nice to each other either. We all play those stupid games that usually involve some sort of telephone call, (or lack thereof) or maybe being blunt and cutting someone's pride and self confidence to near nothingness. Whatever it is, feelings will get hurt and sometimes you just have to turn your head and pretend not to care. It's awful. Just as awful as it was to watch Rue die (cue mockingjay whistle).
3. Dating is competitive. When the Games begin, there is a group of competitors called the Career Tributes. They are born and bred to compete in these games. In the dating world, they're called tall blondes. Bitches. We all bring our own combination of brains, beauty, and personality to the table when it comes to dating. I just choose to believe that my combo will conquer all of the other tributes, just like Katniss did-except she used a bow and arrow and I will use cupcakes.
4. Dating involves taking risks. I'd say the biggest risk that Katniss and Peeta take is when they decide to eat those poisonous berries to spite the Capitol. My biggest dating risk has been dating someone who I wouldn't normally date. I had this great epiphany where I discovered that my type isn't really my type, it's just what society tells me my type should be (did you get that?). To this I say, screw the Capitol, and screw society- he makes me happier than I've been in a long time.
5. Dating requires a support team. Katniss' support team involves a drunk, a chick with crazy hair, and Lenny Kravitz. My team consists of BV, Amanda, Chelsea, Abby, Laura, Allison, Di, Pam and Rachel who, in my opinion, are just as good as the representatives from District 12. One cannot survive this without their team.
6. Whilst dating, mistakes can be made. However, these mistakes can be mended. Katniss' biggest mistake is that she initially ditches Peeta who is undoubtedly her best ally- he is kind, knows how to use his strengths, and can camouflage like a Navy SEAL. Luckily she goes back to find him and together they are able to survive. My biggest mistake was having an anxiety attack on the corner of 12th and Broadway and word vomiting things about being unsure and needing time and space. I actually think I used that, "It's not you, it's me" line. Fortunately, after 48 hours, a t-chart, and some damage control it's now something to laugh about. Both Katniss and I have regrets about our mistakes and very understanding and patient male counterparts.
7. Dating can only succeed when there are two winners. In the end of The Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta play the roles of star-crossed lovers to help them become victors. In other words, you must work together in order for dating to work. And so it is with me and Hot Stuff. Yeah, yeah, I didn't forget to tell you about him. It's been almost a month now and things are going quite swimmingly. Like Peeta, he is the nicest guy on the planet, ever so thoughtful, and makes me feel like smiling for days. I could go on for quite some time, but I'm pretty sure he'll reading this, so I have to leave some things to the imagination. :)
As an active participant in The Dating Games, I'll just say that beginnings are always scary and it's strange getting to know someone new. It is also incredibly difficult to just let yourself fall without knowing whether things will end with the deathly boom of the cannon or the joys of a victory tour. The challenge is to embrace the unknown because it might just lead you to finding the exact things that you were looking for in the first place. And so, to my fellow tributes currently competing in harsh reality of The Dating Games, I say stay strong, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
