Being single in a huge city. You'd expect to find a significant other faster, right???Surprisingly, it's hard as hell to find a good man in such a place. I guess, it's a problem with any overpopulated city. There are too many female and male singles to choose from that the selection process becomes highly competitive. Of course, there are men out there, but not the type of men you'd want to find yourself in a relationship in. Personally, I am trying to steer clear of men (in a non-lesbo manner)for awhile. Basically, I don't need any complications right now. I'm in no hurry to run into a relationship any time soon, but here are a few standards I will abide by when I decide it is time to find my "lobster"...

1) Hygiene. Absolutely important. A girl does not want to be making out with a man and notices food particles from last night's romantic dinner wedged in between his teeth. It's a horror movie scene in my head. Hygiene also includes eye boogers. You've got to wash that face in the morning, babe (That goes for gals too, btw)I don't care if you look like Bradley Cooper or Brad Pitt. Eye boogers and bad breath in mid afternoon are a huge no-no. Brush, Rinse, and please wash your face in the morning! Extra bonus points if you shave your face. Although, a little stubble from time to time is kinda sexy.

2) Cleanliness. Okay, so I don't expect Mr. Right to be Mr. Clean, but keeping his sanctuary, aka the bathroom, tidy and clean should be a priority. No, it doesn't have to smell like Febreeze or a tropical poppurri sack (that's another issue in itself), but if I notice pubes all over the place, then yea, I definitely will be running out of that hell hole. Why is it disgusting? Because it's like finding a long hair in your meal at a restuarant. The plate looks appetizing, but what lurks inside is deceiving. This coincidently leads us to shaved hair particles on the sink counter. Clearly, shows someone can't clean after themselves or is just plain lazy. Add on top to the list, the overflowing trash can. Ew.

3) The Ugly Shirt. Men with bad taste in fashion. It happens alot if they don't have a good woman to tell them what flatters them. I remember one of my exes had this horrible shirt, I called the "cholo" shirt. It was horrid. Unfortunately for me, it was one of his favorite shirts. He wore it on our first date. When I noticed the shirt, I literally started to second guess the date with him. It made me feel uncomfortable. Glad I was able to look beyond that though.Do not underestimate the power of an ugly shirt. Do you hear me men? Do not. Sometimes you wonder why chicks don't dig you. Have you tried looking at what you were wearing? Ugly attire can kill your chances. If in doubt, ask the closest female around you. Usually ugly shirts on a guy is a sign that you will need to teach them how to dress...Do I really want to do that? Ah, I've got better things to do, like my makeup.

4) Sandals. Unless you are at the beach, please do not wear sandals. And if you do, please get a pedicure. I'm not sure why some guys tend to be so homophobic about getting their feet done. There's nothing wrong with it. Believe me, it's not fruity unless you are fruity, then in that case, you can go all out and get a manicure too. I want a guy that takes care of himself. I don't mean like getting his eyebrows waxed because that is kinda gay. But a man that realizes that he does need help trimming his toes from time to time. Nasty toes are unattractive (This goes for women too- no double standard here).

5) Overly-Sensitive Men. There's nothing wrong with being sensitive. Isn't it our dream to have a sensitive man who understands us?? Well, not if this man has more mood swings than me on my period. I thought I was a real softy, in general,but then I dated a man that cried more than me. I had no idea how to handle the pickle I was in. Punn intended. Did you get it? Now, I know there is a difference between an understanding and supportive man versus hyper-sensitive cry baby.

6) The Momma's Boy. Sure, it's cute, I guess. But not to me. Seriously, if a man places his mother before me, then there will be an issue. Having said this, he better not expect me to be his motherly replica washing his clothes, cooking, ironing, etc. For that, he could have stayed at his parent's home or hired a maid.

7) Ambition and Drive.. Honestly, a man has got to have that. He doesn't have to be a doctor or an entrepenuer to have it. It's really sexy to find a man that knows what he wants and focuses on the prize- whether it's winning me over or gaining an account at work. Shows alot of personality and determination. (This can go for anyone as well).

8) Fetishes. I'm alittle apprehensive on this topic. The world of fetishes is diverse, so I will mainly focus on the not so outlandish ones. Say for instance, role playing and costumes. That's as far as I will dive into. Anything else stays out of my bedroom. Freaks must not apply.

9) The Mute. Ok, I get annoyed when people don't communicate what they dislike or like. I suppose anyone can get frustrated under these circumstances. But it's worse when a man shows a lack of interest in expressing what they feel even if it's during sex. You ask "How does this feel? " And you get, "Okay." What the hell does that mean? "Okay", as in it's good or "Okay", as in I could be doing something better. WTF. Be proactive. Show us what you like. Take charge if we aren't doing it right. Believe me, we are quick studies.

I know there is so much more to list. But based on my time constraints and the fact that I'm falling asleep as I type, I must stop for tonight.

26. Single. Tired. Anti-complications. The end.

Prostitution...
Filthy. Disgusting. Down-Low dirty.

There's a resurgence of prostitution in my nieghborhood that I haven't seen since I was in high school. Young women. All shapes and sizes prostituting themselves to make a buck. I read once, in a book "Women comprise about 70% of the world's poor." You think about the sex trade in such places like Cambodia or India. But never would I have imagined that I would witness it infront of my house. Just because it's not children being trafficked or because these women willfully choose to do what they do, doesn't make it any less sick? The psychological and physical destruction of an individual no matter what age is morally wrong. Of course, men are not excluded from this statistic, but for the purpose of this blog, I will focus primarily on women.

With the economy down spiraling, there has been an increase of young women donating their eggs to fertility clinics and others who succumb to the streets selling their bodies. The news has a report on this the other night. I,once, considered, donating my eggs to a fertility clinic. The ads were easily found in the college newspaper. I clearly remember, "Earn extra cash and get paid up to $10,000." And in small print, "Preferably, a tall blue eyed blonde with an above average SAT score." I only fit one on the desired characteristics. I was a poor college student in need of some cash. And yes, even if I had fit the profile,I would have been afraid of what would have been the health ramifications of those extensive treatments to ovulate more and what wouldh have happened to me after the long awaited procedure. So I completely understand what goes through alot of women's minds to some extent. But I have to confess, I was not in such desperate need. So yes, I could've donated eggs, but I did not. I simply worked a part time job. But what if that was not an option? What if I had other mouths to feed? These are the questions that many young women have to face in reality.

As I drive home from a late night with my friends, I see these women, not much older than me, on the corner of a busy street.Ironically, they stand infront of my nieghborhood church. Not even hiding the fact that they are selling themselves, they chat amongst themselves. One prostitute, catches my eye. She is a petite black girl, perhaps in her early 20s, smoking a cigarette, while clutching small purse on one side, wearing shiny black pumps, short hair combed to the side, and wearing nothing more than pair of revealing tight shorts. I wonder what goes through her mind. The qouta she has to meet? How cold and tired she feels? I want to ask her. I want to ask her many questions. And I know I would seem like an arrogant ignorant cow. She will think," How dare you question my lifestyle and my work?" or she may say, "Do you think I enjoy this? Why? Because I can't find a job? That's why!" Or simply, "Why do you care? Mind your own business." My stomach turns into a knott as I see a white van pull up. There is a 30 second chat and as fast as the van pulled next to her, she is gone. Another trick. Another dollar closer to the quota.

The next morning, there is a used condom in front of my house. I notice my younger brother kicking it around with his shoe. I scold him for even allowing his shoe to touch it. I have the LAPD's Prostitution and Gambling hotline scribbled in my notebook and I keep telling my boyfriend that I want to call. (I don't know how Prostitution and Gambling can be on the same line and worse,the same number- maybe it's just me.) A part of me knows this isn't the solution. And that my goal is ultimately for asthetic reasons. I want my nieghborhood to return to how it used to be. I want it to be safe and innocent. You know, those really nice nieghborhoods on tv. But in this world today, things aren't what they seem. And honestly, what will my call to LAPD really do, except have them relocate the "business" elsewhere.