Right now, I am just looking to make new friends, not seeking a romantic relationship. I believe that no relationship can last if you do not have a strong foundation to build from. I am a self-professed geek with what is frequently described as a larger than life personality. I love the outdoors, hiking, movies (particularly the Matrix trilogy), reading, and learning in general.

In the past year, I have ended upback on the travel circuit. I have been going to Guatemala regularly, with occasional trips to New York and New Brunswick. Visiting Guatemala has turned into quite an adventure and keeps me busy.

Most recently, I have been working on establishing a part-time photography studio. I have developed a love for photography and my ability to express myself creatively through photographic arts. In my free time, I can usually be found, camera in hand, out and about town seeking subjects to photography (inanimate, human, and quadruped). If you would like to see my work, contact me via email and I will share my professional site with you.

I love to read and I am reviving an interest in writing (poetry, blog musings). I am a total movie addict, and especially love the James Bond movies. I am a little bit of a cynic when it comes to people, and believe that, while I am writing a fairly long profile here, most people will not take the time to read it. For those that do, spectacular, I look forward to meeting you.

I love comedy and satire. You will often find me seeking out movies, TV shows, and books that involve both. I am a smart-alec, have a sense for the ironic, and love witty responses. I have a dry humor and am able to find hilarity in the mundane.

I love to travel, and have visited much of the United States. Common places I visit are Rochester, NY, Washington, DC, and more recently, Phoenix, AZ. I have mostly spent my time in the U.S., though I did manage one trip to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. I really want a broader international experience though, and my organization's facilities in Dublin and Tokyo seem like great places to go visit.

I love a good debate, but I am anti-argument. Constructive debate is a much more enjoyable experience then cutting statements designed to antagonize, hurt, or degrade your opponent. I hope to find someone someday that has the same interest in understanding and patience that I seek.

If you want to get to know me better, see how I think, or find mild humor during your day, ask me for my blog URL. I do not blog on OkCupid because I like to keep my musings consolidated for my friends to see.

I do not consistently receive IM notices, so if you would like to chat on IM, it may be best to drop me an email and then we can share off-system IM ids.

I am a champion, leader, and understanding

I have a very busy life, but like to socialize when I have free time. I am an animal lover, especially cats, and more recently horses. I recently acquired a beautiful mare that I enjoy spending time with and riding. I am into wines, and am becoming a wine connoisseur. I have secret desire to become a sommelier someday. I work full-time and have graduated with my MBA -- one of the more rewarding experiences of my adult life. I am now looking to get out and make some new friends and acquaintances, and regain my life.

I am looking for new activities and hobbies to entertain myself with. Relaxation certainly sounds good, but I am thinking about learning how to play Texas Hold 'Em Poker, and to get in some free-reading time. I have been told that I should look into Ayn Rand and I have a long list of books I started or wanted to start but never finished.

I am also looking to engage in some home improvement activities. I need to redo my fence and rewire the electrical in my house from 2-wire to 3-wire. Nothing urgent, just those kinds of home improvement activities that you do to enjoy the successful outcome of invested labor. I need to learn more about plumbing, as it is certainly not one of my handyman skills yet.

Cooking (amateur chef) is definitely high on the list. I love to cook for others, but hate cooking for just myself. I love cooking unusual dishes, especially ones that require the use of wine or liquor to create the right flavor. Recently, I tried my hand at baking a cake from scratch and it came out fantastic.

Computers, logic, and creative uses of technology also rank high. I am a whiz with computers, both with hardware and software. I can program my VCR and DVR without the assistance of a 14-year old -- a big shock, right? I know how to operate a mobile phone, and how to browse the Internet. Old age has not yet taken away my faculties apparently.

I am outstanding at problem solving, and have turned that into a career (professional troubleshooter it seems). I seem to be the guy that has a sign over his desk that reads "Magic Happens Here". Apparently, that makes me a popular person to know at the office, though it makes for a very hectic work schedule.

My cowboy hat is the first thing that comes to mind.

Maybe my self-confidence. Sometimes it is mistaken as more than it is, but I am very self-confident in my areas of expertise. I am also always up for a good debate, typically regardless of the topic. For example, if we were to discuss a topic that I am passionate about, it is difficult for me to not speak my views, and fairly vocally at that. As one of my team members put it, when I am there to support her, she feels 50 feet tall, and when I am not, she feels the size of a mouse.

I would also say that my patience and understanding are in the forefront as well. Both are more my away-from-work personality, but they are ever-present in my personal relationships away from the office. I think both are key to a strong friendship or relationship, and I work to foster them as much as possible.

Books:
Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy, Bourne Ultimatum, Lord of the Rings (LOTR), The Chronicles of Narnia, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, Harry Potter (all of them), Tom Clancy (Jack Ryan series especially, but all, even the derivative works), Art of War by Sun-Tzu, Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov

Movies:
The American President, The Matrix, Matrix Reloaded, Matrix Revolution, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail!, Cocktail, all of the Star Trek movies, all of the James Bond movies, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (LOTR)

Music:
Kid Rock, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Rascal Flatts, Lonestar, Rob Zombie, Metallica, LFO, Madonna, Hinder, Blessid Union of Souls

Foods:
As for foods, I like meat and potatoes, coming from a German heritage. I like hamburgers and steak for sure. I am also a good chef, and love to cook, especially for someone that can enjoy a variety of foods. Favorite foods include: steak, Chicken Parmesan, Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Marsala, Taco Salad, Chimichangas, and Mexican or Tex-Mex in general. I have also developed a taste and craving for Mediteranean foods, and am learning to cook them in the comfort of my own home.

The following are NOT in priority order:

Mountain Dew, photography/my camera, Fiction in almost any media (except outright lies), my cats, technology toys, and other people.

I have a small Mountain Dew addiction. I had my bloodstream changed out a few years ago.

I love to be out and about with my camera photographing things. My favorite subjects are landscapes and nature, but I am expanding my genre to include people (weddings, senior portraits, private shoots, and family events). I spend about 20-30 hours a week shooting or editing photos.

I love movies, of almost any sort, though I do not particularly take to horror flix. I read a massive amount of fiction, particularly Science Fiction (Sci-Fi).

My cats are my best friends though it seems, thus their importance in my life. Particularly, I love siamese (or meezer) kitties.

However, the most important thing in my life is my family and friends. People are what make life worth living, and so they are the thing I could never do without.

Photography now rates at the top of my list, with financial management and analysis coming second. Sociology and psychology (I love studying people and their habits and behaviors), business (yes, my work is my passion in many ways), and globalization (I love international studies) are also at the top of my list. I also spend a lot of time thinking about the concept of choice, and its impact on our lives. I think choice is what differentiates us from the rest of the species, more so than the opposable thumb. We not only can choose, we do choose, and in many cases, choose against our natural instincts. I think about people and relationships, as well as diversity, ethics, and leadership.

Out photographing something, usually a skyline. Hamilton and Cincinnati provide a lot of great photographic subjects without even having to look that far.

I go back and forth between being a home body, visiting my parents, and going out with friends. I have not had many Fridays at home recently, but I look forward to sneaking a couple in here and there. I tend to go out more on Saturday and Sunday though as it tends to be easier.

I enjoy going out and playing darts, pool, or generally hanging out. I love sitting outside having a glass of wine, maybe a cigar, and chatting with friends.

I love going to the movies, but it the value (cost/benefit) has diminished quite a bit over the years, and does not lead to good conversation. The best times I have had recently have been sitting out on someone's back porch relaxing and chatting.

Despite my effervescent, outgoing personality, I am a bit of an introvert and do not always show the me that is inside. Trust comes with time of course.

.... you have an interest in something more than a superficial conversation or infantile silliness. I always love meeting new people, but you should be able to type out your message without using l33t sp33k or writing in license plate-ology. I want something more in life than casual, barely connected friendships/relationships, and am always looking for something deeper than a passing "hello".

However, if you inherently come with drama, crisis, or other forms of emotional instability, then just pass me by. My life is quite good without bringing in the mess that comes with the drama so many people seem to want to have throughout ever aspect of their lives.