Catch Me a Catch

Let's face it: When it comes to love, life isn't a Jane Austen novel. There's online dating, speed dating ... or no dating. That's what matchmaker Pari Livermore is out to change. A San Francisco radio and TV personality, she sets up local singles in her spare time — and asks them to donate to charity in return. (She has raised a whopping $3 million for nonprofit groups so far.) "It used to be that it was society's responsibility to introduce people to each other," says Livermore, author of How to Marry a Fabulous Man. "Now everyone is on their own, on the Internet. I'm here to help out." We checked in with the do-gooder Cupid.

Q: Why are women having such a hard time meeting men?

A:

Women are willing to put all kinds of time into their careers, but not into meeting guys. They get home from work, feel exhausted, and don't go out. As Woody Allen said, "Eighty percent of success is just showing up."

Q: Do people have unrealistic expectations?

A:

Sure. For instance, sometimes successful women — CEOs of big companies — expect to find a guy who outearns them or has a more high-profile job. It stems from the old-fashioned notion that men should support them.

Q: So are they forced to "date down"?

A:

Many women have put themselves in such a high position that they have no choice but to date someone with a lesser job. But they need to think about priorities. Just because a guy has a great job doesn't mean he's so great. You should be sure he's worthy of you.

Q: Do women think they have a better shot with older men?

A:

I'm seeing the opposite. Many women are thinking about younger men. As women become more successful in their careers, they're looking for a sexual hit.

Q: How many marriages can you take credit for?

A:

I'm up to 124.

Q: And how many divorces?

A:

I have an 18 percent divorce rate. That beats the national average — 50 percent.

CATCH ME A CATCH: Want Pari Livermore to set you up? Enter our contest, and you could win a trip to San Francisco, with two nights at the Huntington Hotel, along with a side trip to Mendocino, with two nights at the Mendocino Hotel, plus a $150 gift certificate from Bloomingdale's and a haircut by Graham Brownlee at the Joseph Cozza Salon. Livermore, who will send the winner on three dates, suggests that entrants donate $15 to charity. ENTER TO WIN HERE