I'm an eclectic and unusual person. I have many hobbies and interests, including spending time with my wife, freelance work, running an online writing community, reading, fixing computers, cooking, writing, kempo karate, aquariums, photography, role-playing games , watching cartoons, gardening, letterboxing (www.letterboxing.org), hunting for sea glass, playing card games, going on day trips, spending time with my friends, taking walks in nature and trying to make the best of who I am. ;-)

As for my appearance, I am 5'10", and 270 pounds. I have blonde hair, green eyes, and, as my friend Mindy says, I'm "animated". I'm funny, and I can usually make people laugh.

I'm generally not very good at small talk. My conversations are usually more personal, serious, philosophical or ridiculous than normal ones. I can't stand talking about the weather, that new TV show, or [enter local sports team here] and how awesome they are. One thing you can count on with me is a good conversation.

I try hard to do the right thing, and to be a good friend. I am very honest, and I'm very straightforward about how I feel about things. I'm only interested in being friends with anyone I happen to meet -- I'm extremely happily married. If you're female and are wondering why I wrote to you, it's because I almost always get along with women over men -- I have two male friends, and everyone else I know is female. In fact, most of my groom party at my wedding was made up of women!

There's a lot to my personality, both good and bad, and this doesn't really begin to describe me.

I'm the Internet Marketing manager for three different companies under one ownership. In my spare time, I'm making time for my friends, working on the house with my wife, or pursuing one of my many hobbies and interests. I'm a very busy person, and am always exploring new things.

I'm very good at keeping friends and keeping in touch with people. I've been gifted with many very good friends, and I love them all.

I'm not very good at normal stuff. I don't watch sports, drink alcohol or coffee, watch TV, listen to popular music, or enjoy bowling. By choice, I've never owned a cell phone.

I love finding once-in-a-lifetime experiences, opportunities to learn or open my mind. I gravitate towards people with unique outlooks on life.

OH! I'm TERRIBLE at remembering names. Absolutely TERRIBLE at it. PLEASE don't be offended when I forget your name -- it doesn't mean I don't remember everything else.

I'm looking deeper and more carefully for who the person I'm talking to really is. I ask challenging questions, tease, and really pay attention. to the person behind what's being said.

Favorite Book- Islands in the Stream, by Ernest Hemingway

Favorite movie- I have a lot of movies I feel very strong about. Here's a few examples: "Grave of the Fireflies", "The Accidental Tourist", "You Can Count On Me", "What Girls Learn", and the Lord of the Rings trilogoy.

Favorite Music: I like American Folk, Instrumental, Modern Classical, Rock, Country, The Blues, Techno, New Age, Instrumental, Ambient, Showtunes, Movie Themes, Soft Rock, Jazz and some Heavier stuff. My favorite musician is Melissa Etheridge, but I love Pink Floyd, Kitaro, Patty Larkin, Bond, Ani DiFranco, Dar Williams, and many others as well.

Without getting in to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, I'd have to say the following:

1. My Wife - She has, literally, saved my life. I'm married to my best friend, and the most incredible person I know.

2. Vonage - My friends are scattered carelessly all over the world. Being able to call Australia as a local call, for example, lets me keep in touch with them.

3. My cats- They're the three sweetest cats in the known universe, and they cheer me up and keep me company.

4. My imagination- It's a bit slow where I live, but I can always find something productive to do.

5. My computer- It's a map book, a phone book, a radio station, and creative outlet. It's also why I have a job.

Everything. I tend to analyze things quite a bit.

Busy. I could be working on freelance work, spending time with friends, cooking up something random and delicious, playing cards with my wife, sea glass hunting, or just about anything you can imagine. In my life, there are few ordinary moments.

I recently overcame a struggle with depression that was extremely difficult for me. It's changed my outlook on life significantly, although I am fundamentally still Jacques.

You're an unusual person that's willing to deal with the fact that I take some time to get used to and am a divergent thinker. I'm married, but I'd very much like to make some friends in the area.