Just a thought

Yes, the blog is officially BACK IN BUSINESS! :)
So, i'll start with this question: In today's world of dating, what are the benchmarks by which you can judge where you stand with the guy when you first start dating?
I used to believe that certain things objectively meant that, even if he is not exclusive with you, he is leaning toward it. I always thought, for example, that when you meet each other's friends - no let me re-phrase it - when you meet the guy's friends, it's a sign that at least they like you enough to do the the "show'n'tel'n'judge" w/the boys. Now I am not so sure. Calling? What if that's just the guy's way of doing things? It's almost as if some of these things aren't happening then you are definitely NOT going anywhere. So, all I have left for "markers" is, really, either "the talk" or meeting the parents. What else is honestly left?
Thoughts?
GO BARACK!!!!!!!!