Well, what do you know – that eHarmony thing actually got some matches! I’m maybe not as alone as I thought – there’s at least 9 other people out there around the world who filled in the bubbles on that personality test the same way I did. Still have no idea how this “29 dimensions of compatibility” thing works, but I found there’s a “personality profile” report that goes with each user based on your answers on the questionnaire. Apparently I’m “best described as usually taking care of [my]self; sometimes curious, sometimes content; [emotionally] responsive; focused; and very reserved”.
You can set the patented match-o-matic thing-a-ma-bob to pick only matches in the same city as you, the same country, or even anywhere around the world – one’s from Victoria, a 28-year-old 5ft 6in “white, non-Hispanic” (I guess some people need to be specific) Christian veterinary nurse; there’s a 29-year-old 5ft 4in Chinese “spiritual, but not affiliated with a religious group” (also have to be specific) grad student from Cambridge, Mass; another’s a 26-year-old 5ft 7in white, non-Hispanic Christian “Ask” (I think that means she wants you to ask what she does).
If you want to make contact, the site makes you jump through a few hoops called “Guided Communication”. You pick some multiple questions for your match to answer, out of a list. Julia from Fredericton wants to ask me, “Where do you see yourself living in 15 years?” (The answers are from a list too – I’d pick “a nice apartment in the city”.) Laura from Lexington, South Carolina asks, “If you were to eat with a friend, which of the following would you prefer?” (“A hole in the wall with great food.”)
But of course you have to by a subscription if you want to go further – 59,95$/mo, or less if you sign up for a year-long plan. Meh… I got my companionship-fix already, just knowing I got at least one match out there.
And some good book recommendations out of those personal profiles:
What was the last book you read and enjoyed?
Julia from Fredericton: Rick Mercer Report: The Book, by Rick Mercer – “Politics, satire and Canadiana play a rather large role in my life.”
Carolynne from Chicago: The Wings of the Dove, by Henry James – “It’s a great story about a couple who love eachother but cannot be together due to their financial positions. They go through extreme measures in order to be together, but that ends up hurting others as well as their love for eachother. I enjoyed it because it shows how powerful love can be.”
Laura from Lexington, South Carolina: Running With Scissors, by Augusten Burroughs and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J K Rowling – “I love reading fiction because it provides an escape to a completely foreign world, and has the power to give you insight to parts of your own personality.”
Rebecca from Ottawa: My Early Life: A Roving Commission, by Winston Churchill – “The autobiography about the first half of his life. A really well-written book. It was fascinating to read about his life as a member of British aristocracy and also his impressions of India under colonial rule.”
Annie from Portland: Spirit Walker, by Michelle Paver. “The second book in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series. Young boy living 6,000 years in Celtic times goes on adventures fighting evil and has a wolf as his sidekick. I love that I feel I am Torak, the young boy, traveling with my wolf through forests. I love books that make you feel you are there.”
Jessica from Mountain View, California: “I’ve recently gotten back into Star Wars novels and I’m almost finished with the third book of the Dark Nest trilogy, by Troy Denning. It’s set 35 years after Star Wars IV and is a very involved story about the rebuilding of the Jedi Order and their quest to keep the galaxy at peace. I like how it adds a lot more background and history to that universe and continues the story of the Solos and Skywalkers. I often wonder what happens to characters after a book ends, so I enjoy it when there are so many stories written in such a rich universe.”
CJ from Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Fellowship of the Ring, by J R R Tolkien – “I enjoyed Tolkien’s re-conception of power – that it is something that uses humans at its own will, and it leaves and attaches onto people for its own ends. In this light, those who pursue power may indeed find humility in that power chooses them, not vice versa. I appreciated that Tolkien used the most modest and unassuming being in Middle Earth. I also liked how Tolkien believes that a fellowship – a group of people committed to a cause – accomplishes great goals.”
Caitlin from Victoria: Widdershins, by Charles de Lint – “Amazing fantasy novel with characters that draw you in and keep you reading. I was up until 2am some nights!”
Anyway, eHarmony’s worth a look – even if you’re not single, or if you’re gay (just pretend you’re straight so you can make an account), you can find out how many people in your home town, or around the world, might share your “29 dimensions of compatibility”. And get free book recommendations from them – presumably if they’re like you, and they like those books, you will too!
