For sure. I have a friend who is recently single and is finding the exact situation you described - all of the people he knows are either in relationships or are close friends and therefore not an option. That being the case, internet dating makes alot of sense, as do other options such as table for six etc as you greatly broaden your horizons.

As for where the eligable men hang out, my friend does boxing classes... or have you tried bars?!

how is hanging around in bars / at parties trying to pick up strangers any better?

It's absolutely not better, you're right webweaver. In fact, I find it just as embarassing to say that my husband and I first got together when out at a club ;-) But my experience, and the experience of most of my friends, has still been that of meeting people through friends, or friends of friends at social gatherings. I think that NZers are only just coming round to the idea of 'dating' and all the forms that it may take.

Sometimes guys have a clock too I guess ;)

This is true. I have several guy friends who are way cluckier than me.

I've only ever been on one actual date in my life, as most of my relationships (or non starters) have been the result of the good ol' NZ combo of abuse of alcohol, lowered inhabitions and a drunken pash. I guess this makes me "fun loving"?

I was similarly amazed by the brief bit of Jesus Camp I saw recently. While overseas we saw a news item about the film. The news item wasn't in english and the track from the movie they showed had been dubbed but you could still get the gist of what was going on. My husband and I sat slack jawed as we watched small children being whipped into hysteria in services and then going out to convert other small children.

I am constantly amazed by the new depths to which fundamentalism in the US continues to sink.

"a monstrous, cancerous protrusion into the harbour"

People who don't actually have a clear, reasoned argument usually resort to exaggeration and name calling.

I know it's not much use harping on about ideas that have been discounted by the govt, but I'm curious as to why the North Harbour stadium wasn't on the table as an option. At first glance it appears to have space to expand, isn't blocking anyone's view of anything (except maybe that gigantic mega store shocker) and isn't in a space people think they'd rather use for something else.

Is it because it's not in Akl City? Or is it because it's believed that there'd be traffic hell on the bridge to and from games?

If it's the traffic issue, using that site could kill two birds with one stone - you'd get a big 'ol sports ground, and someone might have to do something about Auckland's roads or (heaven forbid), public transport system...