Can't Buy Me Love, but CAN buy a girlfriend!

I just learned (via Kottke.org) that there's a new crazy trend on ebay for women to be selling themselves as "Imaginary Girlfriends."

I kidd you not. Yes, you, too can receive loving letters, occasional (oft pre-scheduled) IMs, and sometimes even other assorted, uh, goodies from some (supposedly female) mercenary.... for just $19.95 -- or in some cases, as much as $250 (!)

I don't know what's sadder: the sellers or the pathetically-eager buyers. On a deeper level, it's most sad that folks are apparently so desperately both craving connections and unable to attain such real connectedness. I guess this explains much of the "Reality TV" craze, too. Don't have a social life or real friends? That's okay, you can bond with and live your life through those 'real' people on the screen!