I'm a person of deep faith, despite some spiritual wounds that I'm still working through. My deepest self is a boy that loves to go exploring and feel the wonder of belonging in a living world--including the wonder of the energy between two quiet, attentive, embodied, loving, present human beings.

I was married for 24 years and amicably divorced three years ago after an amicable five-year separation. Raised two healthy, beautiful, self-sufficient girls now 28 and 30, each of whom was long out of the house before we separated. Have been dedicated toalternative Christian community-building for 25 years. Exceptionally intelligent but blessed to be well-balanced and not geeky. Have a PhD in biblical studies. Enjoy discussions about Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Wicca, the new cosmology, life sciences, the theory of morphic fields. Love learning new science facts. (e.g. did you know that cornsilk is hundreds of individual falopian tubes? Does this mean that there is one strand of silk for every kernel on the cob? Yes it does...I actually counted the silk strands on a cob to find out.) A biblical scholar and theologian. A published translator of the New Testament called The Spoken English New Testament. My friends say I'm funny and very curious--so much so that I will wade into almost any discussion, not just about religious or spiritual stuff. I'm in great health, ride a bike, eschew owning a car, love hiking, and wilderness camping--look more like 45 than 56. Love to climb trees, smell flowers, converse with birds, discover wild bees, feel a close friend's chakras thrumming with mine.

Founder and director of a small non-profit that feeds some of the neediest people in Oakland (see sharefirst.org). Participant in a shared household (6 single adults) that is forming as a spiritual community based in worship and mutual support in inner-city activism and spiritual renewal (see seminaryofthestreet.org and worshp.org). Low on paid work right now (typically command high fees as a forensic analyst and persuasive graphics specialist, but work has slowed down since 2009). Intensely involved in scholarly writing work (biblical and theological).

Climbing trees (really--see the profile pic with the redwood trees and the arrow), Scrabble, giant outside political art, biblical interpretation (non-fundamentalist). Analysis--I'm a Sherlock Holmes style detective by proclivity. Playing Bach on the piano. Playing Joplin rags and improvising jazz and blues. Troubleshooting. Inventing things. Affectionate friendship. Making Indian curries from scratch using individual spices (coriander, cumin, fenugreek/methi, cardamom, fennel, etc.). Wilderness camping, backpacking, and exploring above 10,000 feet in the Sierras.

That I'm one of those people that seem kinda nerdy on first impression, eccentric. (scored "Pure Nerd" on OKCupid's Nerd/Geek/Dork test.) Little innate interest in fashion (I can look good if I want to, but the desire to decorate myself doesn't come naturally)--a lot of my best clothes were recommended by others.

Walter Mosely--everything but that rather pornographic one
Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe stories (despite Wolfe's misogyny, etc.)
I tend to forget movies, but I remember I really liked...
Run, Lola Run
Memento
Gandhi
Stand By Me
Harold and Maude
Jean de Florette/Manon du Source
Seven Samurai
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Tampopo :)
Jackie Chan films
Doctor Strangelove

Music: Baroque Music, mainly Bach
Downtempo electronica, triphop

Food: Japanese, Thai, Cambodian, Nepalese, Indian, Ethiopian

A sense of God in my life
Friends & spiritual companions
Mountains
Music-making
Affection
People to show me things about myself that I can't see

The dire state of the world
How to make positive peace (=harmony+justice) where I am
What does truly radical spiritual community-making look like?
How to explain and unpack the ongoing power of sacred scripture for a 21st century audience
What kind of relationship am I lonely for? Do adult relationships require sex, or only affection?

Having common meal with my communal household and/or friends
Arguing theology over the cutting board in a gourmet friend's kitchen
Watching a film or old episodes of a television series (e.g. 6 Feet Under, The Closer, Weeds) on DVD

I can't seem to fit into the matrix of (protestant) Christian cultures. Far too free, sexually open-minded, mystical, nature-loving, inclusive-minded and politically radical for evangelicals, too fascinated by Jesus for progressives. And I love comparing notes about the mysteries of life with atheists.

Free bonus admission: I like verbalizing my thoughts when I'm by myself, and I'm not embarrassed about it. Hmm--should I be?

Any one of the following:

a. you feel like it.
b. you're interested in or open to relaxed, sensual affection that doesn't have a "get there" goal
c. you're interested in intimate, spiritual friendship that promisesmutual healing and empowerment--but probably doesn't lead to sexual mutual obsession or becoming a couple.
d. you're desirous of finding a permanent significant other, but in the mean time you can't stand (or are burnt out on) living in the dilemma between (a) trying to get your heterosexual friendship and affection needs met through sexual liasons, and (b) being bereft of touch and intimacy.
e. if you're not even slightly interested in me, but you want to just talk about the above.
(Note: I'm not looking for more than one woman at a time who has affectionate friend status in my life. I'm happy to commit to being monophilous if that is important to you.)

Anyway, it's ok to reach out and say hello if you feel moved--friendliness desires to express itself in the universe.

B well and B blessed!

Webb