Guest Post: Big City Dating

Living as a single in a large city can be a lonely existence for someone who doesn't have a family or community support system. Many singles don't find it easy to meet other people in a big city, whether they're interested in friendship or dating. In addition, singles looking for a committed relationship may be reticent about expressing that sentiment. Yet if they can't make it clear that they're looking for a serious partner, they may attract people who don't share their goals.

Some singles appreciate their friends who try to "set them up" while others are offended, but in the best of circumstances, friends have their own lives and can quickly become weary of trying to find dates for their single friends. Singles can also weary of hearing their married friends tell them that they're being "too picky" or "not doing enough" to meet a partner.

Internet dating can also be frustrating. Dating sites are not always secure. Some online dating sites may include profiles of people who live across the country or even outside of the country. Profiles are often misleading, either intentionally or unintentionally so if a single wants to identify a person that will be a good match, the online profiles can create more problems than solutions.

The final option, meeting people at events, bars or parties often feels awkward and superficial. Singles often say that they feel pressured to make a connection at venues where the lights are low, the music is loud and the conversation feels shallow and phony.

The bright lights and excitement that big city living offers can bring new opportunities for singles of all ages but for those who are looking for a meaningful relationship, living in a large city can bring a certain level of loneliness that's not always easy to overcome.

Sarah is a professional matchmaker at Table for Six, a unique dating service based in Los Angeles. Table for Six has years of experience matching like-minded single professionals together. A policy of caring about their members above all, has produced many happy Table for Six reviews.

(Photo from Awesome People Hanging Out Together)

Guest Blogger: Laurie R. on the New Lowell Milken UCLA Law School

LA residents appreciate that our UCLA Law School, one of the nation's top law schools, continues to function as a leader in enhancing the ethics and values of law. This connection was recently augmented by a $10 million gift from Lowell Milken, an advocate of educational reform and a 1973 alumnus of the school.

Milken's gift created the Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law and Policy which will develop innovative approaches to law and business. It is anticipated that the Institute will develop new strategies to improve law students' transactional and problem solving skills through hands-on training through its research into successful law and business models.

Milken sees this gift as one which will attract and retain top Law School faculty as it supports centers and institutes which inform law and public policy. An additional component of the gift provides the UCLA Law School with the capability to offer increased financial aid to students who demonstrate leadership potential in the fields of business law and policy. The Law School anticipates that the enhanced training in real-world transactional skills and the expanded curriculum will be of use to the broader legal and business communities in addition to the UCLS Law School students.

The UCLA Law School's reputation as a leader in business law along with its long tradition of interdisciplinary collaborations convinced Milken to open his Institute at UCLA. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block noted that "Through groundbreaking research, as well as symposia and conferences, the Lowell Milken Institute will facilitate the kind of sustained dialogue with policymakers and practitioners that is UCLA's hallmark as a public university."

The UCLA Law School sees this kind of private philanthropy as vital to allowing the school to attain its vision and values and serve the LA community.

(Photo here)