If you're single, and you haven't speed dated, get off this blog and go sign up for a speed dating event immediately. They are the best thing to ever happen to dating.

By the way, you should know you won't meet a single person you'd ever consider dating again.

If that's the case, why do it? In a way, speed dating is your very own mini-51 First Dates Project. You sit at a table, and guys rotate from woman to woman for 8 or 10 mini dates lasting, on average, 5 minutes. It is the most fun you'll ever have with your clothes on.

What you'll learn at speed dating:

* There are plenty of men out there. No need to get too worked up about any one of them.
* Most men have absolutely no game. It's endearing, kind of.
* If you really don't want to talk, you kind of won't have to. Just say, "So... tell me about what you do," and watch the minutes tick away.
* And - this may not be relevant in all age groups, but somehow I always seem to come across it - guys in their 40's who want kids... REALLY want kids. And they talk about it a lot.

What's great about speed dating:

* You get the fun part of male attention without any of the stress of whether the date is going well. (Although five minutes can be excruciating at times, most five minute dates are actually quite pleasant).
* The speed dating organizer handles matching up people who both checked that they like each other. No having to straight-up reject someone at a bar.
* It hones your "interview" skills. When I am looking for a job, I go on every interview I'm offered, even the ones for jobs I know I probably wouldn't take. And I learn something from each one. So it is on speed dates.
* If you hit it off with someone, you can bypass all the paperwork and sneak off together at the end of the event. I once had the coolest night in a live music dive down in the village after an uneventful speed dating event with the only cute guy in the house. Guns and Roses cover band. Need I say more?