Lonely, single, gripped by the Valentine blues? Follow Beijing’s single specialist, Allison Johnson, as she takes aim with Cupid’s bow.

Home—Andingmen

10:00 a.m. Can’t sleep anymore. I’m preoccupied about tonight’s speed dating event, even numbers are important.
10:30 Check email and Facebook for confirmations/cancellations. Discuss the guest list with Pilar [Beijing’s other speed dating specialist] over G-chat. We both light candles to the Roman God of love, Aphrodite, asking for a night with plenty of good chemistry.
12:00 Throw pens, name tags, candles into a large duffle bag. Contend with a nervous friend who is trying to back out. Convince her to show up. Agree to discuss whether or not she can observe later. 2:30 p.m. Shower, dress, throw make up and a change of clothes into the bag. Print out the speed dating cards. Pilar sends an SMS asking me to meet up at Jenny Lou’s.

Lido

3:20 Haul into the store and find Pilar. We stock up on wine, orange juice, Vodka, snacks and cups.

Taxi

3:55 Pilar gets a phone call from one of the ladies; she asks a list of questions. Pilar patiently explains the process.

Cat Lifestyle Mall

4:05 Discuss the table layout with Pilar and Derrick of Cat Mall.
4:30 Set up begins.
5:30 Get the tables and chairs arranged; set up the bar. Our friend Marianne arrives to handle registration.
6:00 SMS directions just in case. Quick change of clothes in the bathroom.
6:45 My nervous friend shows up early. “There is no room for observers in speed dating!” I tell her. She relinquishes.
7:00 Greet guests, point them toward the bar, share a few drinks. While Marianne registers people, Pilar and I loosen them up.
7:20 The inquisitive girl who called Pilar is a no-show. Throw in Marianne, despite her protestations, as the fake speed dater.
7:30 Escort people to their appropriate tables. Order is important! Keep the taser handy to avoid stage fright drop-outs. Introduce Marianne as the fake speed dater, pointing out the wedding ring on her finger.
7:40 First round. Start the six minute countdown. Let the mingling begin!
7:46 Cut off conversations. Rotate the guys. Restart clock.
7:52 Remind the guy who is sitting half way on his chair still talking that he will have plenty of time to chat with this girl later on IF she chooses to date him.
7:58 Serve drinks. Hell, serve myself a drink.
8:04 Check out the guys, some nice options.
8:10 Stop an enthusiastic pair in the middle of a salsa lesson.
8:16 Short toast with Ben and Derrick of Cat Mall.
8:22 Pilar photographs the event for the blog.
8:28 Pilar gets a missed call from the “no-show inquisitive” girl.
8:34 Ask Mr. Smooth if the girl at the next table only deserves five minutes of his time instead of six. He sulks, but moves along.
8:40 “No-show inquisitive” shows up, no doubt trying to crash the after party.
8:46 Two rounds to go. Herd the males along. Decide on after party. Pass out more drinks.
8:52 Final round! Shout at the speed daters to make it count.
8:58 Explain the speed dating cards. They spread out to make their decisions. Pilar helps everyone remember who each participant is. Collect the cards. Let people know where the after party is.
9:40 Pack up the last of the stuff, round up the stragglers. Catch taxis, throw potential daters in the same taxi. Off to Rickshaw.

Rickshaw

10:20 Push together all the tables on the first floor, crowd on the benches and order up.

Salsa Caribe

11:30 Stake out a table and order drinks. Soon this exhausted chaperon will be heading back home.

Home—Andingmen

1:30 a.m. Can’t dance the night away like Pilar and her husband. Notice my voice is almost gone.
2:00 Party over.

What does it take to get nervous singles into the fray? Allison will usually meet with them before hand, invite them to observe, then, when they show up, “strongly nudge” (okay: bully) them into participating. The half bottle of vodka, six large bottles of beer and four bottles of wine which they went through at this event doesn’t hurt either.

The Verdict

Allison is happy to report that out of the event came one official couple and a few more which are dating. All in all, a good day’s work for the speed daters. This April, Allison and Pilar celebrate their one year anniversary hooking up Beijing’s singles. They have a full schedule of singles parties, couples competitions and gay speed dating lined up for 2008.