Keep It Local Although Internet allows us to meet people from all over world, best chance for making a successful online to offline transition is to start with someone in same geographic area. The stories of couples who got together (and stayed together) despite thousands of miles between them may be romantic but they are few and far between. While some singles seem to seek out a long distance relationship, they might actually be seeking comfort that built-in obstacles provide. Online-only relationships can be great for those who are looking for fantasy but if you are seeking a real offline relationship, best to start with someone relatively nearby.

Make Communication A Two-Way Street Just as in real life where opposites often attract, many online couples have a "talker" and a "listener". The listener asks questions, offers advice/support and will hang on every word from talker. Sounds great in theory to have someone you can tell all your troubles to, share your successes with and who will be there for you whenever you have time to sit down at computer. The problem is once these one-sided couples leave online world and have that first date, talker knows virtually nothing about listener. It's better to give up a bit of spotlight and get to know your chat partner now so you don't end up seated across table from a complete stranger later.

The following is an excerpt from The Sinking Of Noah's Ark - a novel that examines humanity's past, present and future.

As a child, Noah was taught that when one dies, there is a long tunnel with a brilliant light at end of it. No one knows what happens when you go through light, but it is assumed heaven is on theother side. Noah imagined that it was a place much like McDonalds Playland. As years went by, he realized it was unlikely that Mayor McCheese and Grimace were on other side waiting to embrace him.

Where Noah actually ended up was as far from glorious afterlife as one can get. His last memory as he toppled down hill was shielding his eyes, with no final thoughts or regrets, just darkness. When he uncovered hiseyes, he found himself in last state he expected to be in - alive.

After a brief period of confusion, Noah managed to pull himself together. He looked around to find himself in a foreign room. Upon careful examination of his surroundings, he realized that it was a courtroom.

He was not familiar with courtroom, as it lacked any features identifying it with any known justice system. There were no flags of countries, no pictures of presidents or monarchs. Except for a luminous coat of faded gray paint, walls were completely bare. When studying walls, he could have sworn there was white trying to force its way through.

Noah discovered that he was sitting in witness chair. It was wooden,with a red velvet-cushioned seat. To left of his seat was jury box, but no jurors were present. The judges bench was located to his immediate right,but no judge presided. In front of judges box was either defense or prosecutors table and it too was empty. Directly in front of him, he noticed another table, which he also believed to be either prosecutor or defense table. The only difference here was presence of a man seated at table,looking down at a pile of papers.

What was so startling about man was that Noah was sure he was not there when he first opened his eyes. After a moment of dreadful silence, man proceeded to push his chair out, stand, and slowly walk toward him. As each shoe scuffed bare wooden floor, a low, intense echo was released. A shifty smile materialized.

The stranger was wearing a long black robe, completed by a pair of shiny, black shoes. His hair, jet black and combed back on his head, revealed a distinct receding hairline. His facial features looked as if they had been perfectly chiseled from fine stone. There were few signs of aging, but Noah guessed by distinguished aura surrounding him that he was about fifty.