Moving up a level...

Life is a video game. It really is. We go out there, armed with some basics and we pick up bits and pieces along the way. Sometimes we get armor to protect ourselves. Sometimes we get healing potions or extra lives, to try something again and hopefully not get hurt. And, sometimes we get to play with other people, move together as a group. But, going with this metaphor, where does moving with friends turn into something more? How does one go from a level three friend to a level four girlfriend? When do we move up a level?

You know, for all my joking around, I am a romantic. I enjoy the notion of being taken out to dinner or something and having a guy want to sweep me off my feet. It's rather sweet and I wouldn't object to it in the slightest. But I have to remember a few realities which may be a little harsher than I'd like.

Basically, my reality is this: I'm in my mid twenties. So that means the guys I'm seeing or meeting are ones who are swimming in college loan debt just like me. They're still living at home because, let's face it, living on Long Island isn't easy. Some are still in school, working on other degrees. Some are still working jobs they hate because they need money. It's not like I'm rolling in cash. So a romantic dinner, might not be made by other people.

That's not to say that there can't be a really romantic dinner cooked by the guy. Or that take out can't be made to be more romantic than white cartons and chopsticks. Let's be realistic. Romantic on a budget is still sweet. At least in my book.

I'm not saying that if a guy doesn't take me out to some place that involves me wearing something nicer than jeans, I'm never going to speak to him again. Please. But, when does hanging out become dating? I can't even actually say I've been on two dates with someone. I've hung out with someone I really like more than once. Which is nice. And I honestly can't wait to see him again, but I don't think they have been dates.

And it's not because I paid both times. Let's face it. As previously stated, the economy sucks and being a few years out of college doesn't make it any easier. (Sure, the economy is getting better but still... it's tough.) I'm okay with paying. It makes sure that I'm good and cautious with my money. And I'm not a splurger any way. At least, not when I know I have to be good.

Being that I met him online, I'm wondering when this becomes more than just hanging out. We've talked about it, how we consider each other to be friends and I know we both like each other. In the whole 'Check Yes or No' kind of way. So where is the next step? Is it when he makes a move? Do I have to do something? Am I stuck in some sort of strange dating limbo, without ammo of my own and nothing to protect me from the on-coming horde of possible pain and heartache?

I still don't have any answers. I could go in and waste all my health coming up with a million excuses why this won't work out (pass precedent, my luck... friends abandoning me for no apparent reason). I could sit here and think up strategies and find a way to make sure this works out in my favor. I could spend hours watching romantic comedies and trying to see where the real world fits in.

But truthfully, I shouldn't do any of those things. Sometimes you don't want the cheat codes. Sometimes you just want to arm yourself with knowledge. You know where the land mines are, you know how to avoid them. So why not grab your best weapon and head out there, rush into and see where the game of life takes you this time. It might not work for Call of Duty or World of Warcraft, but I'm hoping it works for real life.