I went out last weekend on a blind date with a very nice man - he was clean and smart, lives alone, has two dogs. We had a lovely time and he asked me out again. I said yes, of course. That night, he sent me an email suggesting we take the dogs hiking this coming weekend. Since I love hiking, I agreed. But apparently, that was not the right thing to do. At least 5 of my friends pointed out that if I go hiking with a man I don't know too well, I will be murdered and dumped in some hidden canyon with no way of anyone finding me.

Hmm.

So I emailed him and explained that I would have to pass on the hiking, but would like to see him again. Perhaps over dinner or walking the dogs down in Venice.

He emailed me back and said it was good because he had to work anyway. I haven't heard from him since.

My question, this time, is not "Did he not like me?" I'm just wondering - since he doesn't want to see me now that I have turned down hiking, do you think he was really going to murder me and dump me in some hidden canyon?

I don't think I like dating. I think I'll take a break for a while. I don't like thinking I could DIE on a date.

Holy crap.