w gu 6B - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 10, 2005 7W w w wU T The Michigan Daily The fast track: Speed dating comes to A2 KEEPING IT CLOSE STUDENTS WEATHER THROUGH LONG-DISTANCE RE By Megan Jacobs Daily Arts Writer It's easier than catching the bar- tender's eye at Rick's on Friday night and faster than the line outside of The Necto. All year, especially come Valentine's Day, many singles find themselves at a lass for a great date or a fun weekend night. Tom Jaffee, founder of 8minuteDating, has an exciting and fast approach to the chaotic dating scene. Eight dates, each lasting eight minutes, are on the agenda for event. Typically held at bars or clubs, the events provide an atmosphere ripe for meeting and mingling, costing at most $45, depending on the food and entertainment. Tonight, 8minuteDating will host it's annual cupidParty at Studio 4 at 314 S. Fourth Ave. The party begins at 7 p.m. with two separate events that split up par- ticipants by age group - 21 to 29 and 30 to 40. Participants will receive a complimentary DVD of the British comedy "Coupling," free appetizers and other surprise giveaways. There is also a cash bar at this $35 event. The Arena sports bar at 203 E. Washington St. will also be hosting an 8minuteDating party on March 9. "We're primarily a sports bar, so it's a different venue than a club set- ting. Our suggested age group for the event is between 20-30, although probably 21-30 would be better since there will be drinking available," said Arena manager Justin Hakala. To ensure safety and security, only first names and a number are used for identification. Participants arrive and are assigned to a table, where the first date begins. After eight minutes, a bell sounds and participants move to their next assigned table. There is a 20-minute intermis- sion after the first four dates, where participants are encouraged to mix, talk to people they found interest- ing, order drinks at a cash bar or eat appetizer-style food. Another four dates follow intermission, as well as a post-event party. Events typically last two and a half hours. Participants keep a card over the course of the night to write down names and identification numbers of 8minuteDating around town Tonight, 7 p.m.: 8minuteDating's annual cupidParty, host- ed by Studio 4 at 314 S. Forest Ave. Cover is $35 for eight eight-minute-long "dates." Participants will receive a free DVD of "Coupling," the British comedy. Wednesday, March 9, 7 p.m.: The Arena bar on 203 E. Washington St. hosts 8minuteDating. Participants are auto- matically registered for $20 Arena gift certificates. Cover is $35. By Emily Fellows For the Daily those they found interesting, attrac- tive or would like to date again. At home, they send the information to 8minuteDating's website; if two people have selected each other as a match, the site will send contact information to each party. 8minuteDating is so confident of its effectiveness, it offers a guaran- tee: if you don't meet someone you'd like to see again, the next event is free (although you may not be eligi- ble for give-aways at the free event). Events host anywhere from 20- 100 participants, always with even numbers of males and females. Par- ticipants are guaranteed eight dates, assuming that all registered guests show. There are also events geared toward same-sex daters. Event orga- nizers plan evenings aimed at groups with specific interests (e.g. dancing) and age (e.g. 20-30-year-olds). According to the website, more than 97 percent of attendees say that they enjoy the events, and over 90 percent meet someone that they would like to see again. Speed dating doesn't have to be awkward or embarrass- ing, as proven by the hundreds who return to the events. Attendees say the best success tips are to go in with an open attitude and to have thought about interesting things to say about yourself. Pre-registering for an event is not a required, but is highly recommended. If the idea of attending an event alone is less appealing than going on one more blind date, you can regis- ter with a friend. Event Organiz- ers will ensure that if you come with an oppo- site-sex friend, you will have an eight-minute date with him/her. There are events in almost every state, including several in Ann Arbor. To register for an event or find out more about 8minuteDating, visit www.8minutedating.com. Event Organizers in Ann Arbor are also available by phone or e- mail; information is provided on the website. While some students opt to cel- ebrate Valentine's Day by having a romantic dinner on Main Street or attending a movie at the State Theater, Liz DeMar and Lauren D'annunzio will rush across state lines to celebrate Valentine's Day with their boyfriends. Liz is visiting her boyfriend Marcus at Indiana and Lauren is visiting Adam at Syracuse. Both DeMar and D'annunzio are living through the "double-edged sword" concept of a long-distance relationships. While some University students can make organic chemistry look easy, others know how to make maintaining strong relationships across the country look even easier. Those in long-distance relation- ships know that whether it's a phone call, an instant message conversa- tion or an e-mail, keeping in con- stant contact with their significant other strengthens the commitment. DeMar, an LSA sophomore, has been with Marcus for seven months. She deals with her withdrawal by talking to him throughout the day. "I know that no matter what, we will talk before one of us goes to bed. This is usually when we talk the lon- gest," she said. On the other hand, LSA junior D'annunzio, has been with Adam with over five years. She believes that "it is important to talk several times a day, but not for an exces- sive amount of time like hours each time." Don't Turn Green Because the typical college life- style is so accommodating to sexual activity, it is very easy to feel threat- ened by a companion's friendships and interactions with the opposite sex. However, some couples under- IF YOU WERE IN THIS PAPER, YOU'D BE WHAT WE CALL FINE PRINT. WEEKEND MAGAZINE. TAKE US NOW. LONG DISTANCE OR NOT. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and every time you see each other, it will get more amazing" - Leslie Robbins LSA sophomore stand that trust is essential to all relationships, especially a long- distance relationship. "There were times when he would get so jeal- ous I couldn't even talk about guys with him'or post pictures of me with other guys online. Most of our fights were because of jealousy," said Tay- lor Stein, an Art and Architecture sophomore, who is in a seven-month serious relationship. DeMar even attributes a lot of her relationship's impressive suc- cess on the fact that it is a long-dis- tance relationship. After all, while distance may cause a lot of fights, it also makes it difficult to fight. In a long-distance relationship, when couples are together, every minute counts, and they cannot take time together for granted; there is no time to fight. "I like that I don't have to priori- tize between him, my friends and my work. We never have to have the argument about choosing things over each other." Going the Extra Mile For those in a long-distance rela- tionship, a little bit of extra affection goes a long way. Most students deal with the distance by visiting as much as possible. "We take turns visiting each other for important holidays and birthdays. Although students in long-distance relationships miss their significant oti together. It's important to spend a lot of time together," DeMar said. As DeMar heads over to Indiana to visit this weekend, the last weekend was his turn to make the trip to Ann Arbor. "It's important to visit each other as much as possible. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and every time you see each other, it will get more amazing," Robbins added. Feb. 14: A Day to Love or a Day to Loathe? Everyone deals with their long distance relationship differently a a time when everyone else seems t have a warm body to be near. Les lie Robbins, an LSA sophomore, ha maintained a serious long-distanc relationship for two years. Her boy friend and she are both film major so they send each other DVDs an movie-related posters. 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