By Geena Lee

Have you ever been in a relationship with a jealous person? Or do you get jealous when you’re in a relationship? Sometimes feelings of jealousy creep up on you out of nowhere.  Maybe because your partner is still in touch with their ex, or when you’re out in public they get a lot of attention from ‘potential competition’, and it puts you on edge.  Or maybe it’s your partner that gets a bit antsy every time you talk to someone of the opposite sex, or decide to have a night out with your friends.  None of us are immune from the emotion of jealousy, but it’s something that we should be vigilant in avoiding, as it can ruin a relationship very quickly if allowed to fester.

The best way to get rid of jealousy is to get to the root of why you feel the way you do.  What are the triggers? Identify and nullify them. Let’s go back to the example of the ex.  Say your partner still talks to their ex, and that makes you uncomfortable.  You need to communicate that to them and find a solution.  If it’s not possible for them to stop talking to their ex, say because they have a child with them, then they need to be open with you about the nature of their contact.  If you know exactly what they’re talking about, (speakerphone is great for this) then you don’t have to entertain any jealous thoughts based on assumptions.  I know of couples who give each other the passwords to their phone, email, Facebook and Twitter accounts, so that there is complete transparency between them. Not everyone would feel comfortable doing this, but it’s an option in the quest to build trust.

Trust.  That’s really the issue with jealousy isn’t it?  Not trusting that your partner is truthful, faithful.  Not trusting that you are worthy of being truthful and faithful to.  Those who don’t trust, like to control.  If I can’t trust that you’ll be faithful to me, then I’ll make you be faithful.  What manifests out of that is a paranoia that poisons. Here comes the constant phone calls and texts with the “Where are you, who are you with? Why didn’t you call me back?” Then it’s the “Were you looking at her/him? You’re cheating on me aren’t you? Just admit it, I know you’re lying, you won’t look me in the eye!”… Yeah, not pretty.

Don’t feed the green-eyed monster, it will devour you eventually.  However, when it starts to lash its tail, don’t ignore it either.  If you find yourself getting jealous often in your relationship, it could be because there is a reason to be suspicious! Or maybe there is something your partner is deliberately doing to put you in a position of insecurity.  Some people like to use that emotion as a way of manipulation in order to keep a person attached to them. It’s an unhealthy way to orchestrate a relationship, and it’s bound to backfire eventually.

When it comes to jealousy, you really have to look at everything with a clear vision and evaluate whether you are just being too paranoid or if there’s a more sinister situation at play.  Trust your instincts, and if you have levelheaded friends, see if you can get an objective perspective.  Again, let your partner know how you’re feeling, because if someone loves you, they will do all they can to make sure you feel secure in that love.  We all come with a history of past hurts, so what may seem innocent to them, may be a red flag to you, so you have to find a common ground that you can both stand on.  Jealousy is a seed that you don’t want to water in a relationship, it’ll become a weed that will choke the life out of anything you grow together, so the minute you see it sprout, pluck it out!

DJ/producer/host of ‘The Lovezone with Geena Lee’ (www.geenalee.com), Geena is also a voice actor, media arts instructor and freelance writer.

Dear Rachael-Lea,

I’ve just started dating a guy who is wonderful. He’s kind, considerate, loving and emotionally available. Although I should be happy, I’m bored to tears. To make matters worse, a man from my past, who I think I’ll always love, has recently started calling me. Why now? I know my ex is no good but there is something about him that I can’t let go of.

To be honest, I think I enjoy the chase. The new guy is available, but almost too available. The ex is exciting and I get a weird kind of buzz with chasing him. I thought I would have grown out of this phase years ago, but I still love the one who doesn’t love me.

Signed,
The Ex on the Prowl

Dear TEOTP,

Are you crazy? Is it that you subconsciously don’t feel deserving of a healthy relationship? He’s an ex for a reason and, like hound dogs, ex-boyfriends sense a new dog coming to mark their territory. I guarantee if you were a lonely goat sitting on the sofa on a Friday night, you wouldn’t have gotten those calls.

There are far too many women looking and ready to commit to a man who is willing to be emotionally available. If you’re not ready, let him go so he can date another sister. I’m almost tempted to tell you to go back to the ex. Within days, you’ll realize why it didn’t work in the first place. Don’t spoil it for the rest of us. Figure your stuff out, be it through counselling or self-reflection. The new guy might not be for you, but kick the ex to the curb or prepare to be chasing him and spending many a lonely night on that couch.

Limousine courtesy of Atrium Executive Limousine & Livery Services. Keith Beaty photo

By Geena Lee

“Why must we pretend? Why can’t we be more than friends?” Estelle

How can you tell when someone likes you as more than just a friend? Well, you could just ask them outright, but that could be kind of awkward wouldn’t it, especially if the answer is ‘no’. So I’m going to share a few ways to figure out if your friend has feelings for you.

Now there’s no guarantee to this, some people are REALLY good at masking their emotions, but sometimes even they can give away little telltale signs of what’s going on beneath the surface. Which brings me to the first technique: observe body language. Does your friend often come into your personal space, standing or sitting a bit closer to you than normal?  Or perhaps they often find a way to brush against you or touch your hand. Does she/he look you dead in the face for every conversation you have, no matter how trivial? And since they’re looking, see if you can spot whether their pupils are dilated, because it’s a scientific fact that when you look at someone you are attracted to, your pupils dilate. Now be careful when leaning in to check, they may think you’re going for a kiss!

Pay attention to behaviour. Observe how your friend acts when around you, are they awkward or nervous? Maybe even have a slight stutter? How about slightly shaky hands or sweaty palms? If so, they’ve definitely gotten a prick from Cupid’s bow. Especially if all of a sudden they’re taking care to dress nicer than usual, or wearing perfume, cologne or make-up when meeting up with you. Always trying to show their best side…chances are, your friend wants to be more than just a buddy.

Listen to what they say, and don’t say. Is your friend complimenting you more than usual? Or giving you slightly flirtatious lines? Do they get quiet when you talk about someone you’re dating or have a crush on, and quickly avoid the topic altogether by changing the subject? Or perhaps they’ll steer the conversation to ask you what your preferences are in a mate, casually noting that you both have a lot in common in that area…

What makes this a bit challenging is that this person is your friend, so you’re already sort of in a relationship with them, platonic as it may be, and it may be easy to confuse or misinterpret certain actions or words as being friendlier than the norm, so you really have to use your own judgment on this. Now if you do get confirmation that your friend does indeed have designs on your heart, well the next step is up to you, and that’s a whole other topic!

‘DJ/producer/host of ‘The Lovezone with Geena Lee’ (www.geenalee.com), Geena is also a voice actor, media arts instructor and freelance writer.’

Sway Magazine Editor, Jon Sarpong discusses how the five senses can save your Valentine’s Day…

Okay, so I’m a day late with this week’s column, but I have an excuse;  I had to finish up my Valentine’s Day shopping. This year I did something I normally don’t…I planned. And guys, I’m here to help you out because I know what it’s like scrambling for gifts, standing in line with a hundred other guys buying Valentine’s Day cards, and dealing with your girl’s evil stare when you tell her that you forgot to make dinner reservations. So, with the theme of the five senses as our guide, here’s how to make this Valentine’s Day one to remember.

Touch: Ladies love massages and fortunately, most men love giving them. But for Valentine’s day add a little something new to the mix with homemade massage oil. It’s easy: mix together a half-cup of olive oil and a half-cup of hazelnut oil in a clean glass bowl. To this, add ten drops of cinnamon oil, ten drops of orange oil, and twenty drops of ylang ylang oil. When you are ready to use your massage oil, measure out two to three tablespoons of your oil,  and heat it for fifteen to thirty seconds or until it is about body temperature. Pour some oil onto your palms, spread it over your hands, and begin your sensual massage.

Taste: Although you can go homemade on the massage oil, I wouldn’t try it with dinner. Here’s a simple equation all women understand: homemade dinner = cheap, cheap, cheap. Go easy on yourself, make reservations at my fav eatery Room Service (1006 St. Clair Ave W –416.654.7666) and ask for the Valentine’s day special. This is the city’s best kept secret, the  food is delicious, and on any given night you might see Michie Mee, Sudz Sutherland or this guy named Jon Sarpong enjoying the fare. Trust me, your date will think you’re down with the in crowd for knowing about this culinary gem.

Smell: Roses on Valentine’s Day are a cliché, but they are a cliché that you’d better buy into because every woman, I repeat EVERY woman is looking for some floral appreciation on V-Day. My suggestion, ask your florist for ‘scented roses’. These roses carry a stronger fragrance and last longer than the regular kind. I mean, if you are going to spend the money, why not get some bang for your buck?

Hearing: The soundtrack to any romantic evening should be well thought out. If you want music that will send a shiver down her spine check out “Celebrate Love”. Celebrate Love is the brainchild of musician Andrew Craig. He, along with rising stars Gary Beals, Toya Alexis, Wade O. Brown, and Suba Sankaran, join the exquisite sounds of cello quartet Lush, to perform love songs that will make the evening magical. Check out the show Friday, Feb 11 at the Toronto Center for the Arts!

Sight: There may be no more eagerly anticipated words in the English language than, “just let me slip into something more comfortable.” Ask yourself a question, ‘has anything bad every happened after that sentence’? I think not. And since V-day is special, you are going to have a special surprise for her. Visit Premier Jour Lingerie (1288 St. Clair Ave. W). The staff are experts in helping men pick out fine lingerie for the women in their lives, and they have items that will make her look like a million dollars without emptying your wallet.

Tell them Jon from Sway Magazine sent you! Good luck guys!

Jokes My Father Never Taught Me: Life, Love, and Loss with Richard Pryor

By Rain Pryor

In her intimately revealing autobiography, Jokes My Father Never Taught Me: Life, Love, and Loss with Richard Pryor, Rain Pryor, speaks of a life spent navigating the complicated terrain of race, fame and family. As the daughter of comedy legend Richard Pryor, the complex African-American comedic icon who famously set himself on fire, and an equally complicated blond, blue-eyed Jewish woman, Rain speaks about the unfulfilled potential of a situation that could have been the successful marriage of race, culture and tradition; but instead devolved into a typical familial failure. Life at her mother’s house was unstable in the extreme, while at Richard’s place Rain was exposed to sex and drugs before she had even learned to read. “Daddy,” she told her father one day, sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner at the advanced age of eight, “the whores need to be paid.”

In 1980, Pryor tried to kill himself by setting himself on fire, then joked that it had been an accident: “No one ever told me you couldn’t mix cookies with two types of milk!” In his later years, Pryor succumbed to multiple sclerosis, and Rain watched in tears as her father became a shell of his former self. Once, in an unusually introspective mood, Pryor asked his daughter, “Why do you love me, Rainy, when I can be so mean?”

Jokes My Father Never Taught Me answers that poignant question and many more. It is an unprecedented look at the life of a legend, told by a daughter who both understood the genius and knew the tortured man within.

Photo by Sammy Davis, Jr.

By Burt Boyar

Sammy Davis Jr. — iconic; legendary; in a word, classic. While the world has long known of Davis’ unparalleled abilities to sing, dance and act, only his closest friends and associates knew of his amazing talent and passion for photography.

Now, in this collection of never-before-seen photos, Burt Boyar, Davis’ longtime friend, exposes these memorable images for generations of his fans, portraying a side of Davis that has long remained a secret to the world at large.

Here are Davis’s candid shots of his closest friends — Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Sean Connery, and Paul Newman — not to mention scores of the 20th century’s biggest stars captured at their most casual and revealing moments.

But beneath this public veneer is also a private side of Davis, one that gives a glimpse into his difficult past and long road to success. Tracing Davis from his humble origins, the moments captured here demonstrate the struggles he faced as an African-American performer during racially divided times and show the difficulties of being one of the country’s most revered celebrities when his mere presence signaled the changes taking shape across America.

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Sheree is "pleasantly" surprised by her bouquet of flowers.

By Isake Tom

So I recently watched a drama filled episode of this season’s The Real Housewives of Atlanta. As expected there were the usual cat-fights that resulted in broken alliances with new ones being formed. More importantly, former kept woman and newly divorced housewife Sheree, stepped onto the dating scene once again, agreeing to go on a blind date. On arrival, her eager date presented her with a bouquet which she would later describe as “looking like grocery store flowers”. The entire date was very low key, inexspensive and casual (the pair went dancing), something that sophisticated diva Sheree, wouldn’t usually settle for. Needless to say she had a wonderful time and luckily for her date, she was looking forward to a second union.

After that episode I thought of the countless conversations I’ve had with close girlfriends and female family members on this very issue and the presence of frugality in relationships. Sheree’s date was a doctor and could have afforded to take her to a 5 star restaurant and perhaps fly her in a helicopter over the Atlanta city skyline, but instead he chose a small mom and pop jook joint in a not so pleasant area of Atlanta. How many women you know would have been impressed by that? In my circle, probably not many. While today’s economy is slowly inching out of a recession, countless men and women are still finding themselves in dire financial straits; however frugality in a male partner is still a turnoff.

Online bank ING Direct recently conducted a survey asking participants to list words that would come to mind if someone offered to set them up with a blind date described as “frugal”. Twenty seven percent answered “stingy”, 15 percent said “boring” and only 3.7 percent said “sexy”. The bottom line is; there is nothing “sexy” about a frugal date.

Based on convos with my gal pals these are my findings:

1. Most women want to be wined and dined in their relationships.

2. Frugal partners are only attractive when it comes to long term courtships, but men are still expected to both spend and save at the same time.

3. Treating doesn’t have to be expensive, but if your significant other makes more than you do, as women we expect to be treated more frequently and at a higher expense.

Sorry guys, but I can’t sugar coat reality. This has been my feedback and I think it’s safe to say that this is how many women feel. Dating a guy who always insists on splitting the bill, always suggests sharing a dinner plate and consistently goes cheap on gifts i.e birthdays, Valentines Day or Christmas, is downright unattractive. And before you make assumptions, my friends and I are not gold diggers. None of us have issues with spending significant amounts of money on our partners we just expect the same in return if not more.

While today’s unstable economy makes it important to be financially responsible;(no one wants to settle down with someone who’s drowning in debt) some rules never change. It’s still pleasing to know that your partner isn’t a cheapskate and doesn’t mind spending his hard earned money every once in a while.

Rachael-Lea answers your most difficult love queries

Our expert Rachael-Lea Rickards has all the answers for those looking for love in all the right (and wrong) places.

Dear Rachael-Lea,

I write this hoping that someone out there will relate to my dilemma.

I’ve been dating my girlfriend for several months now, and I think that things could become serious. I’ve met her parents, who are extremely welcoming. She has not met mine and is starting to ask questions. I blame it on their busy schedules or that they go to bed early and aren’t the most sociable people. I’m a light skinned Black male and my girlfriend is the sexiest dark skinned woman that I’ve ever laid my eyes on. I think she’s beautiful, but I don’t think my parents will. They have always been prejudiced against dark skinned Blacks.

It’s crazy, right? I couldn’t even try to explain it to her. I’m so terribly embarrassed. My parents encourage me to find someone they can “relate to” and have tried to set me up with their friends’ light skinned daughters. I’m not attracted to light skinned women. How do I admit to her that she’s probably not that welcome at their dinner table?

Signed,
Loves My Dark Skinned Woman

Dear LMDSW,
This is a problem that has been plaguing the Black community since slavery. The house negro/field negro division still creeps into our everyday life. I will mention that this does not only plague the Black community, but several ethnic communities.

The idea that dark skin is not beautiful is your parents’ issue, not yours or your girlfriend’s. I do think, however, that if you truly love this woman, you need to have a conversation with your parents. Speak from your heart and tell them how extremely happy she makes you. Hopefully your parents will come around. If you find that they won’t bend, you need to be honest with your girlfriend.

The worst thing you could do is to not prepare her. Stop making excuses for their ignorance, but do remember that these ideals have been passed down for generations. It’s not going to change overnight. Besides, you have to live your life and listen to what your heart tells you. Now, go get two scoops of your chocolate mocha!

By Tonya Facey

Poet and linguist Nadine Williams is bringing her lyrical prowess to the stage in a new show, Mono-Linguistics with a Twist! To be performed at the Rose Theatre in Brampton, Ontario, it marks Williams’ first solo show of this scale.

A mix of theatrics, music and poetry, Mono-Linguistics is broken into sections focusing on four themes: spirituality, relationships, parenting and a tribute to Yawd (Jamaica). It will also blend Williams’ unique sense of humour and performance-style with thematic musical accompaniment and wardrobe changes to engage the audience and get them thinking.

Williams hopes that Mono-Linguistics strikes a chord and leaves the audience inspired. “I want people to be empowered with the idea that someone can have a dream and follow it right through to infinity,” says Williams.

Earlier in her life, Williams, a former interior decorator, never anticipated a career as a poet. She does, however, seem to have been destined for the spotlight from a young age. Growing up as somewhat of a bookworm who read under the kerosene lamps at night in Jamaica, she was often asked to read aloud to friends and family members.

Inadvertently, she developed a comfort and a knack for performing. Poetry came later on when Williams was working through the demise of her marriage. It became part of her healing process, as she turned to writing and sharing her poems with friends. Having received feedback and blessings from supportive friends, Williams began to write and share her poetry with the public.

Her poems, which touch on a variety of topics, including immigration, have allowed Williams to connect with an array of groups from schools to government officials while spreading her messages of empowerment and positive thinking. She’s even had one of her poems displayed on the walls of Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital. Her voice has also been heard through speaking engagements at many events and workshops.

And,Williams has managed to self-publish three books of poetry: The Culmination of Marriage Between Me & My Pen, With This Pen I Do Tell and Love Rocks (a children’s book).The positive reception may just be because Williams focuses on issues that resonate with her life and what she sees around her: “I try to write on very relevant issues that I’m passionate about, mostly women and kids issues,” sums up Williams.

MONO-LINGUISTICS with a TWIST! debuts at the Rose Theatre in Brampton on Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. with another show 8:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit the Rose Theatre box office or e-mail [email protected].

Written by Sway Contributor Odeen Eccleston

You met him on what was surely one of your worst days in recent memory.  Downtrodden, exhausted, soaked to the bone, he suddenly appeared at your side like a knight in shining armour from the fairytales you read as a child, offering his umbrella and a warm gaze that seemed to melt your problems away.

Your first unexpected “date” took place that very day inside a gas station over a romantic feast of jolly ranchers, gummy bears, a bag of salt and vinegar chips, two bottles of water and a pack of peppermint gum.  The two of you spent an hour and a half delving into each others’ lives.

You covered all of the basics: where you each grew up, your ages, which high schools you both attended, your current major in school, cultural background, etc…and then the all-important “are you dating anyone” came up. He attributed his current single status to the shame that “all the good ones are taken.” It’s too easy and sounds corny in your mind, but you utter it aloud anyway, “Well..not this good one.” Numbers are exchanged.

Your mornings are lovelier, your nights are warmer, food tastes better, your girlies notice a new and intrinsic joy beaming from within you…. ahhhh…how sweet it is. Finally, love has arrived.

But then…

One evening, three months into your official relationship, after a relaxing facial at the spa with one of your besties, you jump into your car and are met with four missed calls on your cell phone. One is from your dad, one from your sister, and two are from a Private Caller. There’s also an indication that you have voicemail.  Your plan to check the voice message is thwarted by an incoming call; it’s a Private Caller again, presumably the same private caller that called twice before. You answer.

“Hello?”
“Hi, sorry to bother you but I have reason to believe that you’ve been seeing my boyfriend.”   Your bff signals for you to put the phone on speaker so that she too can hear what the hell is going on here. The chick rambles on…

“He and I have been together on and off for the past five years, so I just thought I’d call you to let you know and to speak with you- woman to woman…” She ultimately communicates that she and your new love have been “on a break” for the past three months but that “breaks” are characteristic of their on again/off again relationship.

She claims that her objective for calling you today is to assure you that their reunion is inevitable, mentions that she saw him just last night and details her close ties with his family. The conversation ends with her politely/facetiously saying, “Take care, I’m so glad we were able to speak maturely…just wanted to give you the heads up because men can be tricky sometimes…take care”.

You hang up, still parked in the spa’s lot. Your bestie’s face spells skepticism and strength, but perhaps that is because she can sense your fragility. She can see that your nerves are raw, your stomach is tangled in knots, your heart rate has doubled, and you are two seconds away from a breakdown. She jumps out of the passenger seat and sprints over to open your door and hug you, rub your back and allow your tears to land on her shoulder.

Unfortunately, whether you’re 15 and just entering the world of dating or a 55-year-old divorcee, versions of this dreadful scenario happen to the best of us. Here are some tips on where to go from here and on how to decipher whether or not you’re being done a huge favour by a fellow mature and respectable sister, or if the call you received is little more than a cunning, calculating move in an ex-lover’s game plan to get him back.

1) Calm down. You won’t be able to communicate with the accused (your guy) rationally and fairly while you’re in a highly emotional state. So though your instinct may be to call him right away to yell and curse and cry in his ear, I suggest that you wait until your temper has cooled down a bit. When you are in more of a stable mind state, call him to arrange to talk with him in person. Seeing him face to face will make it easier to detect his sincerity and candour.

2) Separate Facts from Information. It’s easy to get caught up with many of the claims that this girl has made. But remember- you don’t know her; for all you know she could be a pathological liar. There is a decent chance that she does not hold the important position she says she does and has embellished every detail. For example “on and off for five years” could mean they were “on” for all of one month back in high school, yet because he is the best she has ever had, she refuses to be realistic and let go. And “saw him last night” could merely mean that she bumped into him at the party he informed you that he was going to.

If your man is a good man whom you trust, please give him the benefit of the doubt and allow him to explain himself before you make any tough decisions. Present all of the information that you have received from her to him and allow him to tell his story. People are innocent until proven guilty. You cannot base your verdict based solely on one sketchy stranger’s testimony.

3) Confront him. How your boyfriend handles this situation is key in determining whether to proceed with this relationship.  If after approaching him about the female who called you, your guy has an aloof attitude, his explanations are precarious and you have a gut feeling that everything the girl has told you is indeed the truth, unfortunately, both you and she, (and God knows how many others) have fallen victim to the game of a smooth criminal. Spare yourself further pain and let the sly player go. It will no doubt be a sad process, but you must cut your losses immediately and let him be her problem.

4) Contrarily, if he adamantly denies everything convincingly and makes every effort to support his arguments with solid proof and sincerity, do not kick him out of your life: Get testimonials from his family and/or friends of the girl’s previous antics. It is possible that she is a bitter woman whom he dumped some time ago and has acted out in a pattern of obsessive, spiteful behaviour ever since. If he can prove that she is nothing more than a delusional, silly jump-off from his distant past then there is no need to leave him high and dry.

5) He confronts her regarding her claims in front of you and all of a sudden she’s singing a different tune. If when he calls her up on his speaker phone to reprimand her for pulling a fast one, all you hear are apologies, denials and back-peddling reactions, it may become clear that she is just a love-scorned ex stirring up trouble in a desperate attempt to exact revenge and get you out of the picture.

6) He clarifies to both of you that she was the past but that you are the present. He may admit that yes- she is indeed someone who was formerly important to him, but that since meeting you and pursuing a relationship with you, she is now his “EX” and that YOU are now his girlfriend. The act of him making it clear to her that she needs to have respect for his new relationship with you and leave you guys alone to be happy, is just about  the best thing he can do in this situation.

Good guys often come with bad baggage: a myriad of ex-girls and ex-flings doing everything in their power to hold on to and/or to get your boyfriend back to being theirs. Weigh the pros and cons of being this man’s woman.  Is his baggage too heavy for you to bear? Or does his overall package make it all worth it? Remember that no man, woman or relationship is perfect and that a dose of adversity can bring strength.

If the pleasure, kindness, support and happiness he brings into your life outweighs the pain, and the pesky episodes of jealous “ex’s” feeding you falsehoods in a pathetic attempt to scare you away is something you believe you’ll be able to withstand, learn to fortify your trust in him and pay these pests no attention.

If you can’t handle the stress of knowing that there are calculating women willingly waiting in the wings for your man, know your worth, acknowledge your limit, bow out gracefully, and let one of those understudies deal with the pressures and woes of being on his centre stage. You can be the star of someone else’s show.

Just make sure it’s on your own accord- don’t allow any auxiliaries to force you into giving up what might be a highly rewarding lead role of a lifetime.

Odeen Eccleston is a professional writer, actress and Realtor with an honours degree in psychology. So if you have any lifestyle, financial, relationship or real estate questions for Odeen, don’t hesitate to email her at directly: [email protected], or check out her website at www.MissTorontoRealtor.com

Matchmaker Paul Carrick Brunson

By Isake Tom

Meet Paul Carrick Brunson, thanks to him you can now find love via 140 characters. The modern day match maker, who has been helping people meet people for the past 10 years, has now devised a clever way to help his clients navigate the dating jungle…via TWITTER.

Fresh off the success of his ‘Mind of a Single Man’ video series, Paul now employs his Twitter page to find that ‘special one’ for his clients. How in the world does Paul tweet his way into people’s lives?

The answer is called Modern Day Matchmaker Wednesdays. For Brunson, work begins every Wednesday at noon and with a twitter following nearing the 5,000 range, he uses this vast network to find a few lucky women that suit his client’s tastes; usually men.

Followers, aka single ladies can inquire about his mystery client and Paul then chooses the best questions to answer. After approximately 45 minutes of ‘courtship’, Brunson will tweet a photo of his client. If the ladies are still interested, he then proceeds to search through his timeline for any suitable match requests.

How did this all get started? A few weeks ago Paul was simply trying to find his brother a date.

We apologize to any interested ladies in the Toronto area. Currently, Paul’s services  are only available for lucky dames in the New York, Philly, Baltimore or DC areas.

Still curious? Feel free to check out Paul’s twitter page: twitter.com/onedegreefromme

So what do you guys think? Has Paul taken things too far with his Modern Day Matchmaker Wednesdays?