Some say that summer is the perfect time to be single; time to flirt and flaunt it without a care in the world for the opposite sex.

Others dive head first into the season with the determination to find that special someone, even if it does start out as a "fling."

Well, we here at Richmond.com (for the sake of our beloved "A Shot in the Dark" column) choose the latter. The summer is a great time to find that special someone, or at least meet a few interesting people along the way.

During the summer (if you've been able to sneak away from the office for a hot second), your skin is bronze, the sunshine has your endorphins permanently set on happy and there are so many events going on around town, how could you not want to meet some of those other gorgeous people you see?

That's where we come in. Like I've said before -- the Internet and blind dates can be scary. But if you know it's time for you to find that certain someone who gives you butterflies, and he/she isn't coming your way naturally, what have you got to lose?

I've taken the time for this "A Shot in the Dark" column to come up with five solid, no-arguments-about-it reasons that, if you're single and living in this fabulous place we call Richmond, you should try "A Shot in the Dark."

Reason #1

We're not like all those other dating sites
Not to snub our noses at dating sites such as eHarmony.com, Match.com or the countless others, but we just don't do things the same way.

Maybe it's because we don't have the money, the technology or the face that it's just not what we do, but we prefer to think it's because we think we're better.

Your "profile" is as simple as it gets. We won't ask you 50 questions -- only about five -- and even then, it's the bare basics, the minimum information you might naturally tell someone the first time you meet them.

You probably put more out there about yourself on Facebook or MySpace, and THAT'S where the real creeps lie.

We don't care how happy you are on a scale of 1 to 10 (although we do prefer smiles over frowns) and we really don't care where you see yourself in 10 years. All that matters to us is the fun we want you to have once you go on your blind date.

Also unlike other dating sites, neither your last name nor your contact information is available to readers. And once our "A Shot in the Dark" process is over, we shred all of your information.

Talk about having fun but keeping your privacy.

Reason #2

FREE STUFF!
The day someone turns down a free meal, concert, round of putt-putt, trip to the theatre or whatever the date may be is the day that America stops making sense (especially with the way the economy is looking).

Everybody loves free stuff and that's what you get with "A Shot in the Dark."

Now -- let me clarify. If you decide you want alcohol on your date, you will have to throw in your own cash. We can't have you daters running all over town like a bunch of drunken hooligans! What would your mothers think!?

But seriously, in the past we've sent our daters to Amici, Highwater, The National, The Diamond, on a Canal Cruise and to Colonial Downs -- the possibilities for fun and exciting dates is endless.

And all we need for our next one is you.

Reason #3

Roll out the red carpet
Yes, while we do keep your contact information secret, a picture and a tad-bit about you will be posted online -- meaning that here, in our big yet familiarly small city, you'll be famous!

Readers come to Richmond.com to see your profile and vote on who they think matches up best. And while our readers vote, we tally the numbers.

Here is an example of how previous poll numbers have looked for past "A Shot in the Dark" columns. During voting for our dater Leonel, a total of 946 readers cast their opinion over the course of a week. As for our most recent dater, Emily, the tally rose to 1136 votes.

That's a lot of Richmonders not only looking out for you but who may later pass you on the street and say, "Hey! You're that uber-cool 'Shot in the Dark' guy/girl from Richmond.com!"

Reason #4

Because you ROCK
I read this once in a break-up book (specifically: "It's Called a Breakup Because it's Broken: The Smart Girl's Break-up Buddy," by Greg and Amiira Behrendt), but I think it certainly applies here.

You, my friend, are a "Super-Fox" and owe it to yourself to get out there, meet someone new and, dare I say, have a little FUN!

You know you rock, Richmond.com knows you rock and now it's time for the rest of Richmond to learn that, too. Have some confidence and don't think of going on a blind date as something scary that can only begin with awkwardness and end in disaster.

Instead, think of it as something adventurous, exciting and spontaneous -- something that the confident you will have fun with and enjoy (especially because it's FREE!).

Reason #5 – the be all end all of "A Shot in the Dark"

What have you got to lose?
Honestly? Someone please show me how signing up for a blind date on our site is detrimental to your health, your friendships or your career. Show me that and we'll put a stop to our column ... maybe.

Well no, probably not, but really ... what have you got to lose?

Remember (as cliché and Hallmark-esque as this sounds), in life there are no strangers; they're only friends (and a potential BFs or GFs) you haven't met yet.

Have we convinced you yet? If you're single and looking to take a chance at romance, let Richmond.com help in your endeavor by signing up here. Really, what have you got to lose?