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Monday, October 18, 1999

Cupid's on call for 2000

By IAN WILSON, CALGARY SUN Nobody wants to be alone when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve -- especially not this year.

With all the hype surrounding the new millennium and uncertainty about the Y2K bug, this is one year people want someone nearby -- just in case something does go wrong.

That desire to have companionship for the year 2000 rollover can be seen at dating and introduction services across Canada, where phones are ringing off the hook.

"We're up 30 to 40 percent compared to normal," said Andre Pelletier, owner of Videos for Singles, which boasts 2,500 members.

"This September we had a bunch of calls."

Whether the approaching millennium has anything to do with it or not, Pelletier's not sure, but he said demographics are on his side.

"We're running into so many baby boomers. They're getting older and they don't go to clubs any more, so where do you meet?"

If you're one of Pelletier's clients, the answer is by making a video that details what you're looking for in a mate.

"It's becoming more acceptable -- there used to be the perception you'd only go to a dating agency if you were desperate but that's starting to change," said Pelletier.

"That stigma isn't there anymore."

The increase in people using dating and introduction services isn't the only change people in the industry expect to see in the near future.

"With the new millennium, we're going to see lots of changes," said Maureen Wagner, whose work has resulted in more than 700 marriages over 16 years and earned her the title of "Calgary's Matchmaker."

With the moral and ethical changes the world has seen since the 1960s, Wagner said society may be shifting to a greater emphasis on family values and respect.

"People want to go into the new millennium with some new ideas about relationships -- how do we do it better?" said Wagner, owner of Let's Get Together, an introductory service for professionals seeking long-term relationships.

"I don't see a big rush for the millennium. I see a rush for people who want to have families," said Wagner.

"The urgency is people realizing how important relationships are and the importance of family. People are saying 'I was supposed to have a family five years ago.' "

Previous story: Jackson's New Year's concert called off Next story: Coca-Cola announces millennium makeover

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-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), October 18, 1999

Answers

Let's take this just a step forward....

Name the person on this forum that you would most like to spend New Years with. And the person that you wouldn't want to spend it with.

This could be interesting.

-- (cannot-say@this.time), October 18, 1999.

Face it, everyone here would like to spend it with me.

I am small and furry, lethargic and definitly non-threatening. I only eat small amounts of pelletized food and any veggie scraps you have. I even poop really small in neat little pellets. I dont make any noise and unlike other rodents I rarely bite.

I am fully Y2k prepped, I have 8 ounces of water to last me a long time and I hoard food in my cheeks. I dont need any extra warmth because of my lush calico-colored fur and I am nocturnal so I dont need any electricity for light.

Admit it, when you think about Y2k companionship, you think about spending it with a hamster !. Hey, I am practicaly asexual so I can hang with anyone.

See you on New Years Eve! Bring some lettuce !

-- hamster (hamster@mycage.com), October 18, 1999.

Sorry hamster, you're not quite what I'm looking for. I'm looking for a crazy, wild free-ranging coyote who knows the ropes. Hamsters are just too small for a fox like me and not rebellious enough. Plus I'm not perticularly found of lettuce.

-- (fox_trapped@a.zoo), October 18, 1999.

Come on fox ... you're just wanting someone to spring you from behind those bars at the zoo.

-- (cannot-say@this.time), October 18, 1999.

Is that a prepositioned strategic asset in your cheeks, or are you just glad to see me?

-- bw (home@puget.sound), October 18, 1999.

That is easy Cannot-Say,

Since I am in love with Riversoma, that's a no-brainer...

And the least??? Y2KPro...I don't think he will be very good company on that date... IMHO...

scratchin'...

The Dog

-- Dog (Desert Dog@-sand.com), October 18, 1999.

Is the official hamester/squirrel dating service theme song "You LightUp My Life"?

How many hamsters/prairie dogs/gerbils/squirrels can a coyote take out on a date? Can he get a volume discount? If he can't get discount, what about dat count, or at least de prince and D. Squire?

How many is he expected to bring home with him after the date? How many are expected to leave home with him after they come home with him after the date?

-- Robert A. Cook, PE (Marietta, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 18, 1999.

I've got a lot of "Astro-Glide" (much better than KY jelly), rubbers (condoms, if politically correct), pussy (baby) wipes, and toilet paper. Let's see what Cupid's got.

-- A (A@AisA.com), October 18, 1999.

Robert, the theme song you're looking for is "Muskrat Love" by Captain and Tennille.

-- helen (sstaten@fullnet.net), October 18, 1999.