Desperately Seeking Susan in Short Shorts

Irvine resident Bob DeJulius sidled up to the Love Connection booth to sign up to be a contestant on the popular TV show. He was confident, a veteran of singles conventions who knew what he wanted.

“I came here looking for ladies like that one,” he said, pointing to a young women in short-shorts and high heels, who represented one of the 100 companies with exhibits at the first Orange County Singles Expo on Sunday at the Anaheim Convention Center.

DeJulius, 39, was among hundreds of people who visited the Anaheim Convention Center to attend the two-day expo, intended to display a wide selection of singles services under one roof.

Representatives were on hand from companies pushing everything from cruises to cars, from nightgowns to nightclubs. The business displays at the expo covered a full spectrum of services, not specifically for singles, with a distinct emphasis on a fast-paced, pleasure-seeking way of life.

‘Things That Affect Their Life Style’

“The expo was set up to allow people to see a variety of things that affect their life style,” said Bob Chandler, whose company, Expo Productions of Irvine, organized the show.

However, for many the assembly of fast, shiny, new cars and various physical improvement services, all promising overnight results, was a tad too commercial.

“It seems like just selling things, and that’s all it is,” said Cindy Dennis, 42, of Laguna Beach.

“This doesn’t seem any different from stores in a shopping mall,” added her friend, Janice Jones, 49, of Laguna Niguel.

Some said the overcast weather had drawn them to inside activities. “(The expo) looked interesting, and since we couldn’t sit out and get sun today, we came,” said Nancy Spiegel, 41, of Anaheim. “I’ll do anything to get out of housework.”

Most of the attendees were not as blunt as DeJulius about why they attended the convention. “I don’t even expect to meet men here,” said Gail LeBeau, 27, of Costa Mesa. “I’d go across the street to the bar and watch the Lakers game if I wanted to meet men.”