Is this a dating site or social networking? Maybe both, huh? I'm just asking. I enjoy getting messages from people hundreds or thousands of miles away, even from women who are already in relationships. That's fine. It's fun to chat and meet new people.

But the reason I'm here is to find a real and lasting relationship with the woman of my dreams.

I'm a good looking guy, a little above average height (5'11"), a little below average weight (160), and in great shape -- maybe one or two beers more than a six-pack (that's a good thing... most guys my age are working on a half-barrel). I do have more pictures, and I'll be happy to send them to you if we get to know each other better. (As far as I can tell there's no way to send photos through Cupid, so we'll have to be willing to exchange email.)

I've never been married. I've got a house, a car, a kid and a dog. I love all of them.

Living it!

I discovered a while back, after ten years of slaving away at a stressful career pulling in big bucks, that there are way more important things to life than money or possessions. Don't get me wrong, I'm not living in a yurt and crapping in a bucket. I'm just more likely to give you some flowers from my yard for your birthday along with a hug, a kiss and a weekend spent together; instead of trying to fit a trip to Rodgers and Holland and a call to FTD into my busy sixteen hour workday on Saturday.

I'd rather concentrate on experiences and relationships over objects and status. I don't care if I die with no toys, as long as I had a happy, useful life.

That being said, I'm interested in finding a new job and a new career. I'd like a new job, not because I'm not making enough money, but because I have no interaction with other people. (Part of the reason why I'm here.) As far as the career goes, I've found that my profession just isn't that rewarding. I'm giving some strong thought to going back to school. I might like to go into something related to the environment or education.

Coming up with unique answers to problems. Making people feel comfortable. Extending metaphors. Taking things apart and fixing them. (Where do those extra pieces come from?)

Women seem to notice my eyes... if they're seeing me from the front. I don't know what guys notice... is that important?

From a distance, you might notice that I stand back a bit. It takes me a little while to warm up to new situations and new people. When I get comfortable, I'm pretty outgoing, though.

Books: Fantasy and Science Fiction – Tolkien, Steven Brust, Asimov; Non-Fiction – Things about the environment, politics, science and some biographies; Other – Kurt Vonnegut, Hunter S. Thompson, Daniel Quinn.

Movies & TV: Dramas, Sci-Fi, things with plot twists, Terry Gilliam, Stanley Kubrick, Joss Whedon. I wish they were still making new episodes of some version of Star Trek.

Music: Music has always been an important part of my life. I'll give a quick chronology of the things I've been into. I still like and listen to most of them. I started out liking classic rock in junior high, especially The Beatles, The Doors, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. From there, I moved into the heavy metal of the day – Ozzy, The Scorpions and Judas Priest. I never got into the hair bands. Next I moved on to punk – the Sex Pistols, Dead Kennedys, Exploited, Circle Jerks, Black Flag. I even had a mohawk for a couple years. Then I mellowed out some and got into The Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order and Oingo Boingo. Then I really mellowed out and followed the Grateful Dead for a bit through the Midwest. In the 90's I listened to alternative rock and grunge, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam and eventually Tool. I'm a big Maynard James Keenan fan. At the turn of the century, I was getting back into the new jamband scene – Phish, String Cheese Incident, m.o.e., Dave Matthews and Grateful Dead derivatives like Rat Dog. Now I'm open to lots of stuff. I've gone to the Bonnaroo music festival more times than not. Somewhere along the way I also acquired an interest in Tom Waits, Liz Phair, Modest Mouse, Primus, The Killers and others.

Food: I'm always open to something new. I like spicy food and ethnic food, and I'm particularly partial to Indian food. I have a weird quirk, though, for a guy of Italian descent – I don't like fresh tomatoes. I also don't eat a lot of products made from grains.

New Answer:
1.Love
2.Challenges
3.Reason
4.Intimacy
5.Imagination
6.Some “Alone Time”

Old Answer:
I don't like this question... I could live without anything but food, water and air. I'm told death and taxes are a requirement. That leaves me with one thing left to choose. If I get to pick, it's love.

Life and how to live it... I also think a lot about theoretical physics (really, string theory, M theory, stuff like that). I had a period where I was really into politics. I was even thinking about running for national office. I discovered it was really bringing me down. I still pay attention but don't dwell on it. (Update: During this election, I got pretty preoccupied again. But because I favor the result, I find it didn't bring me down at all.) I'd really like the world to be a better place, so I think about how I can help that happen.

I also like trying to figure out what drives other people and motivates the ways in which they interact with one another.

Trying to find the end of the Internet, experiencing some live music, hanging out with a friend or two, tearing apart or rebuilding one of my computers, driving somewhere random and taking photographs... whatever seems like a good idea at the time.

I considered listing “tall, dark & handsome” as my adjectives, but I hate clichés.

You're single, attractive, healthy and interested. I like someone who's a healthy balance between “girly” and a “tom boy”. If you'll never be caught wearing makeup or a dress, even for special occasions or a night on the town, you're not for me. On the other hand, you should be willing if not eager to go camping or hiking at least once or twice a year – not afraid to get your hands dirty. I'm attentive to my appearance and try to stay in shape. I would expect the same from you (not just to attract a man, but because you care about you). You should live close enough that we can see each other at least once or twice a week. I have a pretty flexible schedule and don't mind driving, but you should be willing to make the trip some of the time.

I don't think you should meet my son or I should meet your (school age) children unless we start getting serious. It's just not fair to them. That being said, I love kids. If you have kids, I'd like to be a part of their lives. I might even be interested in having more children myself. It's not a requirement, but it's part of the reason why I'm looking for someone younger than myself – to leave the option open for a few years. On the other hand, don't bother messaging me if you're not interested in me, but just want a new Daddy for your kids. I'd never ask you to make me a priority over your children, but what I can do for you and what you can do for me should be more important than what I can do for your kids.

I know I concentrated a lot on the physical here, we'll figure out the personality stuff when we talk. Oh, that's the other thing, I'd hope we could meet in-person relatively quickly, say one to three weeks at most.

If you don't think you match what I'm looking for above, but you want to chat anyway, that's fine. Just know that all we're doing is chatting. Don't think I'm stringing you along just because I talked to you.

If I sound like too much of a jerk here, feel free to let me know that too.