I read a story in the newspaper this morning. It's about Adam Orna, a 39-year-old postal worker who lives in the Bronx. Whenever he's able, Mr. Orna goes to Union Square Park to advertise himself to the single ladies of New York City. He stands alone in the park holding a neat poster board sign with clear black lettering --
SINGLE,
HEALTHY
LOYAL, STRAIGHT
MARRIAGE-MINDED
GOOD JOB: $55G + OT + BENEFITS
CONDO OWNER
MARATHON RUNNER
VEGETARIAN
PLEASE
DATE ME
It's frank. Unsettlingly so. Not a hint of pith or wit to lure perspective mates. It does not acknowledge that he is a man standing in the middle of a park trying to find a life partner using poster board, clear black lettering, and his unadorned self. Sometimes he has flowers. He hands information cards to any woman who will take one, and he doesn't get any numbers in return. People pass and stare -- some snicker and others wish him luck. Most wonder what on earth he thinks he's doing. So far, he has not been stunningly successful.
I don't know if Mr. Orna is sweet, sad, loveley, desperate, funny, or creepy. Probably all of those. He has gotten me into a vague state of undefined puzzlement, and I wonder what you think of his story?
Note: If you're thinking of giving him a chance, you should know that he was arrested once for vandalizing 800 grave stones when he was 18. He forgot to put that on his sign.
