Bottled Sky

I am in a bit of a bind at work. We’re developing a new matchmaking website for one of our clients, and I’m in charge of coming up with the domain name. According to my boss, the name has to convey the “magic of falling of love.”

I tell you, it is as if the universe is punishing me for all those times I ridiculed people who celebrate monthiversaries. May I remind you that my idea of a romantic Valentine illustration is a rusty robot who fashioned a heart out of an old refrigerator door? Somehow I feel that RefrigeratorHeart.com would be completely lost on my boss.

When I asked a friend for suggestions, the best thing she could come up with was ICanHasMatch.com (inspired, of course, by the ever entertaining ICanHasCheezburger.com) Thanks, FRIEND.

Aside from naming the website, I also have to suggest features and apps that would be appealing to our target audience. For someone who has never even had a Facebook or MySpace profile, that’s a bit of a challenge.

Cue my desperate call for help. I need you to indulge me by describing your ideal matchmaking or online dating website. It doesn’t matter whether you have ever used those kinds of sites before or not. All suggestions and opinions are welcome! You can use the questions below as a guide.

1. What features would you like a matchmaking or online dating website to have?
2. What would turn you off from joining or continuing to use a particular matchmaking or online dating website?
3. What features of your preferred social networking site do you like best or use most often?
4. What type of look and feel would you prefer?

Please do share your thoughts. You can’t see the expression on my face right now, but it looks a lot like this:

Thanks so much in advance!

This is a conversation I had with my friend Chrissa last night.

Me: Hey, let’s vacation in Greece!

Chrissa: I’m game! When?

Me: Well, we’ll have to save up first, so… three years from now?

Chrissa: Sounds great. (Thinks for a moment.) Will we be bringing boyfriends on this trip?

Me: Oh, definitely not! In fact, if I happen to be seeing anyone at that time, I might have to break up with him temporarily. I mean, what good is a European vacation if I can’t hook up with at least one hot local?

Chrissa: Exactly! Glad we’re on the same page.

So, men of Greece, it’s a date! Chrissa and I are coming for you in 2010

I’m not what anyone would call a romantic, what with my commitment issues and aversion to all things mushy. I’ve also never done a grungy illustration before. Therefore I thought it would be a good exercise to try to create a cute and goofy Valentine using a slightly grungy style that hopefully a non-romantic wouldn’t find too repulsive. Here’s what I came up with:

His name is Rob, and he’s in love with a fellow robot named Brenda. He fashioned that Valentine himself out of an old refrigerator door. He’s hopeful that Brenda will like it and that they will have many little robot children and live happily ever after. The end.

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!