Living Social (and Single) & Group (Get it) On

The recession may have cut into your paycheck, but you can still get your mack on largely thanks to the recently emerged local deal sites like Group On and Living Social.

Every day my inbox is bombarded with daily deals for Manhattan and Queens. Among the usual suspects like "Laser Hair Removal" "Prix-Fix Italian Dinner" "Colonic Therapy" "Boudoir Photo Package" and "Ninja Sword Fighting Class" (I shit you not, I saw that one, should've saved it!) I've seen more and more events like speed dating and singles parties.

To me, this is just a tad bit outside my comfort zone, but I'm willing to try it. I see this is a nice little bridge between the 21st century and the old traditional methods (ah the good old days, what was that like?) Speaking of the 21st century, I've never quite warmed up to the idea of online dating. It's a plank I haven't walked yet. Nothing against anyone who's into that: I think it's a sign of the times and makes a lot of sense. Shit, had I decided to try it I probably wouldn't be writing about being single in NY for 5 years. And for every horror story I've heard I've received just as many wedding invitations that may as well read "Sponsored by Match.com" underneath where it says "Black Tie Optional"

Only in the name of research for my beloved readers, I recently bought tickets to 2 events. So stay tuned to find out the ins and outs of finding a mate through thrifty local online deals! If I go MIA after this it's safe to assume one of 2 things: 1) I found my soul mate so it works! or 2) I thought I found my soul mate but he turned out to be a psycho and I'm tied up in some basement somewhere in the 5 boroughs in a wedding dress reciting vows with a gun to my head (OK I need to stop watching so much Law & Order SVU). Fingers crossed for option #1.