Welcome to the First Blog post.

Why am I doing a blog? Because I want to keep people informed about what I'm trying to do with DateSetGo.

Where did the idea come from?

I was married for 15 years. In that union, I was with someone who valued intent about us spending time together. It meant I developed certain skills when planning dates: how long it would take to get there, whats the weather like, are there additional activities nearby, what were options en route, what was on the menus, etc etc. While also making sure these might be actual activities or events we would both enjoy, and oftentimes pushing me to brainstorm completely unique ideas for various situations.

When that relationship came to a platonic end (for various reasons), and I entered into The Dreaded Apps, I received feedback from numerous sources that I actually plan pretty good dates. All my years of taking what sounds engaging, and fully organizing an outing while also taking someone else's interests and personality into account apparently is this thing called "effort" that women seem to enjoy.

Well, that effort is actually time consuming, and I know 20th century technology has the power to streamline the logistics of this whole endeavor. I also know that studies have shown (too lazy to cite, you can google), couples who frequently have date nights together have better communication and healthier relationships. So, I want to help ALL YA'LL. Single and relationship folks.

Why I think I'm good at this?

Well, aside from all the relationship practice, I spent 20 years in the military. Believe it or not, a great date leverages the same critical thinking and and preparation as mission planning. I'm also an improv and stand-up comic, so my brain feeds off reshaping random ideas into fun strings of effort. Additionally, I'm a tech guy. I've done program management of Artificial Intelligence research and DevOps for government agencies, so I know what computers are capable of doing. And finally, I'm lazy. OMG I so want to make this thing be as knuckle-drag simple to use as possible. I don't want to flood you with options. I don't want to cause cognitive overload of choices and planning. I literally just want to make an app that makes planning going out as easy as DateSetGo.

(See what I did there? HAHA BRAND AWARENESS MARKETING WIN)

Something I also plan on doing in every blog, so you have an incentive to read them:

3 Date Ideas and 1x Conversation Starter.

Just because the app is still in development doesn't mean I don't want you trying out new fun dates and engaging the person you're with.

Date Ideas

Budget: Go to an estate sale this weekend

Active: Two words: Batting. Cages.

Outing: Try your hand at birdwatching together. It's like a scavenger hunt, but with feathers.

Conversation Starter

"If instead of talking, you could only make animal noises for the rest of your life. What animal would you choose? Why?" Bonus points if you have them demonstrate that noise.