Issuing supreme power to you...one moment.

My self-summary Propose an edit

My sister told me once that I seem very European. I'm not sure what she meant, as I don't think she's ever been to Europe...but I think she was implying she finds me adventurous, and a little offbeat, without being out-and-out strange. I shop at thrift stores because I think they're more interesting than department chains or malls. I have no problem eating out on my own, seeing a movie solo, or traveling alone...although all of the above can be a lot more fun with the right companion. I love people and will talk with almost anyone — even the homeless guy on the median at Thomas & the 51. My music taste is eclectic. My movie taste is eclectic. My library is eclectic. However, as much as I'd like to think I'm an adventurous eater, I'm pretty mainstream there. I can always find something to eat at an ethnic restaurant, mind you — but basic fare like olives and mushrooms I find creepy and disgusting.

Generally speaking, I am friendly, creative, laid back, down-to-earth, intelligent, and basically low-maintenance. I have a wide array of interests: reading fiction & non-fiction; playing racquetball; watching baseball; Nevada blackjack (this continuous-shuffle crap in AZ is NOT blackjack); exploring swapmeets & yard sales; sewing, crafting, and creating; working with my trainer 3x per week; running - for the exercise; feeling a brisk breeze on my skin at dusk; driving on the 51 at midnight with U2 at full volume; drinking in the moon.

I grew up Catholic, but am wandering, spiritually...right now, I find the one-size-fits-all approach of organized religion unnecessarily constricting and controlling, not the way I choose to experience God. At my core, I believe in an all-loving God who wants only the best for us. I believe in magic and the mystical and the metaphysical. I believe there is life on other planets. I believe that we cannot continue to grow unless we are constantly open to new ideas, thoughts, and possibilities.

I will likely ask you more questions than anyone you have ever met.

What I'm doing with my life Propose an edit

I am a writer and have my own busy practice as an editorial & marketing consultant, specializing in working with self-publishing authors. We offer editorial support for writers who want to change the world - with a mission to help our authors think like marketers! I also have enthusiastic expertise in the areas of creativity, brainstorming, visualization, motivation, networking, e-books, and handwriting analysis.

I wrote a book, called "1,001 Real-Life Questions for Women: A Self-Exploration Workbook to Make You Laugh, Cry, Ponder, Ruminate, and Consider." I am self-publishing, with a target release date of July/August 2008.

I recently made my first forays into fiction, participating in the 3-Day Novel Contest over Labor Day Weekend for both 2004 and 2005. Neither novel placed for an award, but I got a really cool rejection letter for the first one that said:

"Stan (my main character) made it pretty far into
the process. Good dialogue. Good flow. Good job!"

I'm really good at Propose an edit

Meeting new people and making them
feel at ease; conversation; leadership;
sewing & crafting; walking my dogs; racquetball;
napping; critiquing movies.

The first thing(s) people usually notice about me Propose an edit

That I am friendly and outgoing.

My smile.

That I'm short (5'2").

My favorite books, movies, music, and food Propose an edit

Books

From Beginning to End: The Rituals of Our Lives - Robert Fulghum
Secrets of Attraction - Sandra Anne Taylor
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind - T. Harv Eker
Early David Baldacci

Movies

About A Boy
American Beauty
Batman Begins
Bend It Like Beckham
Billy Eliot
Casablanca
The Full Monty
Good Will Hunting
High Fidelity
Kissing Jessica Stein
Lone Star
Princess Bride
Say Anything
Shawshank Redemption
The Sound of Music

Music

The Cure
U2
Sting
Cranberries
Casting Crowns
Corrs
Rascal Flatts
New Order
Replacements
Almost anything Celtic or Irish
Jazz

Food

Movie theatre popcorn
Watermelon
Salads
Pecan Pie
Burgers & Fries (what my trainer doesn't know won't hurt him)

The six things I could never do without Propose an edit

Moondanz, my Jack Russell terrier
Books
Music
Candles
Love
Stimulating conversation

I spend a lot of time thinking about Propose an edit

I read recently that a stranger allowed to spend just 15 minutes in someone's personal space (car, home, office) is likely to have a more accurate and complete picture of that person than people who've known them for years...because everything means something. Whether we have photos displayed. The kinds of books we read. How often we make our beds.

Things a stranger would notice about me:

* I don't have a TV. It started as a one-month experiment...
but has evolved into a lifestyle. I'm not an anti-TV zealot or
anything, but simply have found that I have better ways to
spend my time. Although I do pay a lot more attention to
MSNBC.com now than I ever did before...

* I have two dogs, Spencer and Moondanz. Spence is a 2-year-
old terrier mix...very happy and energetic. Moon is a 9-year-
old JR terrier. She's my sweetheart.

* There are books in every room in my house. Could explain
my chosen career as a freelance editor/marketing consultant.

* Candles abound. I heard recently that candles bring soothing
energy to a chaotic house. I just like the scent and ambiance.
And my "matchstick" lighters from the dollar store!

* Every radio dial is set to a different station. I listen to
KYOT most of the day when I'm working. I tend to split the time
in my car between KLOV (Christian contemporary) and KPHX-AM
(progressive talk radio). CD collection is very eclectic, but
leans to UK alt stuff...Cure, U2, Sting, Annie Lennox. Also
Natalie Merchant, Replacements, Blues Traveler... Recently
bought my very first country album . . . The Rascal Flatts.

* Dishes tend to pile up, just a little bit.

* Bed gets made most days.

* Paper goes unopened about 3 days a week, but I'd rather get
up having it already be here on the days I do want/need to read
it. I will fight, kicking and screaming all the way, the day they
want to take away my newspaper in favor of online news.

* Although I have an “office,” I tend to often work on my
laptop at the dining room table. Could it be ‘cause that’s where
a lot of the unpacked boxes are?

So, anyway, I was reminded this morning about something I
haven't thought about in a long time: stomach zings. Also
known as butterflies. You know — the feeling you get when
you really like a girl you're just getting to know? I remember
getting to be 12, then 19, then 27 and realizing that the whole
process of attraction and falling in love never changes. I had
this odd fantasy that as you got older, the process somehow
matured with you. Having lived to the ripe old age of 40 (and
talked with friends in their 70s), I can firmly attest that it
NEVER changes. The giddy feelings. The sweet, goofy
clumsiness. The anticipation. If you say you're over all of that,
I say you're lying...or you've never really been in love.

On a typical Friday night I am Propose an edit

I don't have typical Friday nights.
Each one is different.

I do often go out to First Friday on the first Friday, though.

You should message me if Propose an edit

Single (as in NOT married, NOT separated, NOT thinking about stepping out on your partner because you've settled and now wonder what you might be missing); between 35 and 45 (while that's not an absolute, 65 is NOT close to 45!); intelligent (in my opinion, everything else flows from that); confident (as opposed to arrogant); spiritual (you believe in something bigger than us, if not necessarily a personal God); available (emotionally, spiritually, physically, materially — if it seems like this should be obvious, you're right...it should be obvious...but here I am, putting it in writing, for a reason); funny (you can laugh at yourself and the world around you); a great conversationalist/communicator (willing to discuss and exchange thoughts, ideas, challenges, beliefs, and the F word [feelings] — yes, I am a girly-girl in this regard); playful (you require down time and enjoy lightheartedness — and toy stores! — on a regular basis); a sports fan who appreciates the arts; equal parts teacher and student; someone who combines the best of social butterfly with DIY; a man who leans liberal; and someone whose baggage can fit under the seat in front of you...then I would love to hear from you.*

(*Soft preference for baseball fans, and guys who wear glasses.)

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