These self summary things are a pain, because I am not generally the best person to describe me, only what I think I am.

That being said, first and foremost, I am a parent of a wonderful teenager. She's my life, my friend, and often a source of frustration, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I love animals...I have two cats, a tortoise and a leopard gecko. I volunteer for and contribute to animal rescue organizations as well as those that help children.

I have a sick, warped sense of humor. I love Monty Python, Mel Brooks movies, etc. I say what I am thinking way too often, and I laugh a lot. I can't carry a tune in a bucket, but I sing in the car.

I rarely watch TV but if I do, I can't resist Mythbusters or Dirty Jobs (damn Mike Rowe is hawt!). I would rather read a book than watch a movie or TV show. I also do a lot of beadwork, jewelry, beaded bottles, etc. I'm addicted to beads, and I love almost anything purple or with butterflies on it.

I'm an agnostic. That's different than atheist, by the way, for those who don't know. Basically, I like to live and let live...you do your thing, I'll do mine. If you are really religious, you probably wouldn't be very compatible with me, as I am not fond of organized religion. I wouldn't put you down for it, but I do tend to joke about religion quite a bit. I do own a copy of The Gospel According To The Flying Spaghetti Monster, and I laughed so hard I cried when I read it.

Politically, I'm not sure what to call myself. I like organized political parties just about as much as I like organzied religion, which isn't much. I'm a fiscal conservative and social liberal. I think we should have universal healthcare and education, but that we also all need to chip in to pay for it...no such thing as a free lunch, folks. I tend to avoid political debates because I find them to be a waste of time...we all believe what we believe and I'm not out to change anyone's mind.

Socially, I'm an extrovert, and comfortable in many social situations. I have friends and I spend time with them...it's important to me. I am active in the "lifestyle" community and I have a leadership role, so that is also a commitment I take seriously. It's part of who I am, and my lifestyle friends help keep me grounded and sane when life gets tough.

So what do I want? That is a good question. I hate to put a big laundry list of "requirements" because eveyrthing is subjective. There are things I MUST have in a friend or potential partner, in no particular order:

Honesty
Respect
Integrity
Intelligence
Sense of Humor
Like/Love Children and Animals
Open Mind (sexually and otherwise)
Mature
NO Passive-Aggressive Behavior
Communication
Acceptance/Tolerance of Others
Kindness
No Smoking

I love to make new friends, and anyone I would consider dating would have to be somebody I would want to have as a friend. Anyone interested in me would also have to accept/embrace my participation in the lifestyle community and events. I won't ever give it up. If you don't know what "lifestyle" means, please ask....and if you think you do, ask anyway, because I guarantee it's nothing like what you see in the movies or on TV.

Editors

• musehart

I am an Accountant by profession, I am a full time single parent and I also like to volunteer for nonprofit organizations. I also participate in lifestyle activities/groups.

Accounting, bead work, arts/crafts...other "non vanilla" things...just ask. I have a raging case of volunteer-itis. I am also good at making people laugh, and I'm one hell of a baker.

I look a lot younger than I am. Oh, and my hair...it's long.

Favorite books: too many to mention...but I can't stand westerns or romance novels. Music: just about anything but tear in my beer country or rap. Food: dark chocolate, sushi, Mexican, Italian, Chinese.

Hmmmmm...my daughter, my friends, my sense of humor, an inhaler, hugs, cats.

The future, where I want to be, what I want to do and how to get there. Of course I think of other things a lot too, but you probably don't want to know...

Depending on which weekend of the month it is, I am either at home, or I am traveling to or preparing for a gathering of friends.

It's too private to admit...LOL!!

...you want to talk to someone a little off the beaten path.