*I am in the middle of another edit, lol. Certain life decisions have been made that require it. May also take out some stuff so this isn't so long.*

Well, let's see... I spent just under 5 years in the Army, 1 of which was in Iraq. I love music, movies, reading, and writing. I can be pretty sarcastic and a smartass, and I like to make people laugh.

I am a Christian, though I do not pretend to be perfect or feel I am better than anyone else because of my beliefs. I fell away from my faith for a while, and am in the process of trying to figure out where I am being led and what the Lord has planned for me. I know what some of my purpose here is already, but I know there is still more. If you want to know how I know some of my purpose, feel free to ask. I should not be alive now, and probably should not have been born alive to begin with, not to mention a few close calls, including when I was in Iraq. Again, if you want details, just ask, those aren't things I keep secret.

I am also NOT a Republican, nor a Democrat, and my views on things go between Liberal and Conservative, depending on the issue.

I have never, and will never, do illegal drugs. I drink once in a while, though I do not remember the last time I was really drunk. Have nothing against drinking, just don't really see the point of getting drunk. I used to smoke, but quit cold-turkey in the middle of October 2006, and haven't looked back. What my friends do is their own business, but I do have standards when it comes to relationships. Drugs are a deal breaker for starters. If the drug use is in the past, then that is fine, as long as it is not the present. Won't hold someone's past mistakes against them though. I would prefer someone I date or am in a relationship to be a non-smoker as well, though this is not an absolute requirement. Being a Christian is a big plus, and is pretty much a requirement. Please note, however, that this doesn't mean I am looking for bible-thumping religious, right-wing nut-jobs. Not even close. I don't want to be with someone who is close-minded and judgmental. If you are a Christian who isn't afraid to admit you make mistakes and struggle with faith at times, then that is definitely good enough. I want to be with a woman who is comfortable making up her own mind when it comes to her beliefs, and not just follow along with what everyone else says. There is no such thing as a perfect religion or religious text, as they are all created by man, and man is flawed. I have friends of various religions, including Pagan beliefs, and people who do not believe in any God period. Just because I can get along with them (and actually tend to get along better with them than I have with many Christians because I actually respect people's choice of faith) and be friends though, doesn't mean a relationship would work out long term. I do not want a meaningless relationship, and if we can't share a common belief that is central to who I want to be, I just don't think it would work out in the long term.

What I want is a woman I can share my life with, and that does include sharing similar beliefs, and willing to go to church with me. I understand life can get in the way so church isn't an absolute requirement, but beliefs and morals are. I am fine going to church alone, have been doing that since I started going back a couple years ago, with occasional exceptions when my parents are there. It would be nice to have someone else there with me though, even if it's just a friend.

I want someone who not only shares similar beliefs but will also work with me to help each other grow in our relationship with God together, as long as that relationship doesn't become close-minded.

I do not care about age too much, though legal is a requirement, and at least old enough to drink is highly preferred. I have mostly been in serious relationships with women a little older than me, from a few months older than me to almost 3 years older. Most recent relationship was long-term and she is 6 years younger than me, so younger or older doesn't really matter so much. Maturity is important though when it comes to the big stuff. Acting immature is definitely fun at times, but actually being mature and acting like an adult is needed in many situations as well.

I do tend to be a little shy, and that seems that includes on here even, as I have delayed sending messages and such to people who interest me, though I have been getting better at it. If you are interested at all in what you see here, then feel free to send me a message or a wink or something. However, being shy does not mean I don't have any confidence in myself. I actually do like who I am, and even though I am not what I would think of as hot, I don't really have any desire to change my looks for the most part. That hasn't always been the case, but I am past that stuff. There are things I might not like (which I won't get into here, but if you get to know me then you will find out), but I wouldn't change them. They make me who I am, and like I said, I like who I am. More than that even, I love myself. I'm not perfect, but I wouldn't want to be.

To add to that last part, I will also say this: I don't want to be with someone who doesn't admit they are flawed and have baggage. Everyone has baggage, whether it is a disability, children, previous marriage, or something else (like being shy, not always believing in yourself, OCD, or other random quirks). Baggage isn't such a horrible word if you admit we all have baggage of some sort. I wouldn't rule someone out because they had children or were divorced(neither of these situations apply to me personally), it's too bad some others don't feel the same way.

I also do tend to be a nice guy (though no one is always nice). I do believe the statement Nice Guys Finish Last...to a point. It's not always the case. If that's how it is though, then so be it, I have no interest in being someone I am not. I might not like everything about myself, but there is very little I would actually change, including certain health issues. I'm not as nice overall as I used to be in some ways, but that's because I don't feel like being used because of it.

If you want to know more, feel free to ask.

I am Kind, Humorous, and Shy

I am going to school for my AAS in computer networking, which pretty much means I am a geek, but I am ok with that. I am actually getting pretty decent grades too, which is a lot better than I did in High School as a mostly C and D student. Probably because I actually like going to school now.

I will hopefully be finishing this degree soon, though I do not want to overload myself, and hope to just take a long vacation this summer, assuming I can afford it. After that I will likely start on another 2 year degree, or I could transfer to a 4 year IT degree. I may also start on a Psychology or Sociology degree, another interest of mine. Computers and Psychology, odd combo, but no one said I was normal.

Currently working part time at a job I have been at too long and isn't related to what I like doing (unless you count eating). Do not know where I will work or live in the future as of now. Going to school at the moment because I get paid to from the GI Bill, and because I actually like school now, which is still strange for me to say after almost a year and hating HS.

I would like to one day get married and have children, will have to see what God has in store for me though. Also wouldn't be against staying at home with any future children I might be blessed with, if that is what would be best, and yes I know staying home with the kids is not easy at all.

Listening to friends

Been told I am good at writing, though I tend to be hard on myself. Have written stories before, and a couple prayers of my own, but usually write poems the last few years. Usually don't care if they rhyme or not though. I do hope to write a book one day though.

I have been told I have intense eyes and look very serious. I also tend to be pretty quiet around people I don't know yet.

Books - Anything from Stephen King, Greg Iles, Jeffery A Carver, Jeff Lindsay's Dexter series of books. Otherwise, in general I like Horror (though no movie or book has actually scared me that I recall), Sci-Fi, Suspense, Drama, Mystery and some Fantasy type books. Recent books I have read and thoroughly enjoyed The Shack, The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and The Road. Not afraid to admit that The Shack and Kite Runner both brought tears to my eyes more than once. Thousand Splendid did as well a little, but not as much(good book, but a harder read than Kite Runner). Just started reading my first Neil Gaiman book, so far so good. Basically I just really enjoy reading and have at least 200-300 of them so far, haven't counted in a while and randomly picking up new ones and some older ones from Half-Priced Books in Crystal. I am also in the middle of reading Your Own Jesus by the lead singer of Casting Crowns, which is very good so far. I also have recently signed up for Barnes & Noble's Mystery First Look Book Club and just got the first book today, which doesn't actually come out for another 2 months.

Movies - I like movies too much for my own good and own hundreds (probably over 500, especially if you include TV series', again, have not counted in a very long time and getting new ones all the time). A couple movies I have really enjoyed that a lot of people seem to have not heard of is Life As A House, which is an excellent, excellent movie that will likely bring tears to your eyes (including my own, not afraid to admit that), and House of Sand and Fog. Another good indie one is Mean Creek.

Music - I like a very large variety of music. Instead of just listing a couple here, I will now just copy what I have on my Facebook page. More will be added here as time goes perhaps, but I ran out of room on the music section on Facebook.

Lots of music. Favorite band is Dave Matthews Band. Others I like are (this list may be long, but oh well, lol): Aaron Shust, Alter Bridge, Amos Lee, Augustana, Brandi Carlile, Bryan White, Boyz II Men, Breaking Benjamin, Britt Nicole, Cary Brothers, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, Colby Collait, Coldplay, Collin Raye, Damien Rice, Daughtry, David Crowder Band, David Gray, dc Talk, Death Cab For Cutie, Disturbed, Drowning Pool, Edwin McCaine, Evanescence, Fair to Midland, Finger Eleven, Five For Fighting, Flogging Molly, Flyleaf, Foo Fighters, Godsmack, Goo Goo Dolls, Green Day, Hawthorne Heights, Hoobastank, Hootie and the Blowfish, Incubus, Jaci Velásquez, Jack Johnson, James Blunt, James Morrison, Jason Mraz, Jason Reeves, Jason Webley, Jeremy Camp, John Mayer, Keith Urban, Korn, Lifehouse, Linkin Park, Maroon 5, Matchbox 20, Matt Nathanson, Matthew West, Michael W Swith, Modest Mouse, Nickelback, Newsboys, Norah Jones, Papa Roach, Parachute, Phillips Craig & Dean, Powerman 5000, Puddle of Mudd, Ray LaMontagne, Red, Rob Thomas, Saliva, Shinedown, Sidewalk Prophets, Skillet, Smashing Pumpkins, Snow Patrol, Staind, Stephen Van Voorst, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stone Sour, System of a Down, Switchfoot, Taking Back Sunday, Tenth Avenue North, The Fray, The Killers, The Script, Theory of a Deadman, Third Day, Three Days Grace, Three Doors Down, Thriving Ivory, Tim McGraw, Train, Trapt, Tyrone Wells

TV - I know it isn't mentioned, but I might as well since I do like to watch tv. Lost, Bones, Jericho, Friday Night Lights, House, Boston Legal, X-files, Deadwood, Sopranos, Family Guy, Simpsons, King of the Hill, Dollhouse, Fringe, Better Off Ted, Modern Family, Scrubs, V, The Pretender, Weeds, Invasion, Carnivàle, Defying Gravity, Stargate (SG-1 and SGU, have not really seen SG Atlantis or the later seasons of SG-1, nor any of the movies), The Dead Zone

Food - Favorites would have to be Italian food, Chinese food, Chicken (Popeye's is absolutely wonderful, wish there was more than one here in MN), Seafood, and of course Pizza.

Hmmm, I think the top 3 for anyone would have to be food, water, and oxygen, but I don't think that is what is meant here, so here are some more:

My faith, music, books, good friends, family, movies.

Life, my future, the state of the world, random stuff

Right now, I am usually doing just about nothing usually, don't usually go out much. Used to be working every Friday night, haven't filled it with anything outside my home yet, though I would love to have someone to spend them with.

I tend to do things on random nights most weeks anyway. I go to church Monday nights to be in fellowship with people around my age, and we also do things on other random nights, which can include Friday nights. It is nice being around more people who share my faith.

Hmmm, how about...I have a messy room. I always intend on cleaning it, and even start to do it, but that urge to clean it lasts about a day usually before it goes away, or I get busy with other things, such as school. Not sure how private that really is though, as that is typical of many single males in their 20's.

I tend to be pretty shy around new people. Seems that has included on this website as well for some reason. Maybe because it is a dating website and I have never really done this before, who knows (didn't have much of a profile for a very long time since I originally was here for a couple of the tests). Only recently have been communicating with people from here, but that is still a limited number. So if you check this out and are even a little interested send me a message or a wink or something. I can't promise I will get back to you right away, but if you do message me, I will most likely respond at some point.

If you want to know something else, feel free to ask, I am somewhat open about private things, depending on who is asking.

*Feel free to send me an IM if I am on, but I cannot promise to answer as I will log on and do other stuff at the same time and may not notice for a while*

If anything here interests you, or you just want to know more. Like I said above, I tend to be shy, so I won't always make the first move, but if I do, then I really liked your profile for whatever reason. That reason will NOT be looks though. Good looks are always a bonus, but I will never talk to someone just based on looks. I'd much rather be around someone who can actually have an intelligent conversation about things, and if it's as more than friends than someone who has similar beliefs.

Also, if you have seen Life As A House, that is a bonus as I have known very, very few people who had heard of it, much less seen it until I mentioned it. Everyone who has seen it after telling them they should has loved the movie.

Even if you are just interested in a new friend, I'm always willing to have more friends. Even better if you are able to go to church with me in Maple Grove.

If all you do is say one word messages or something similar, then please don't bother, would highly prefer people who can actually have a conversation. Same if you want to send me an IM. First IM I had on here consisted of me giving her full responses and getting responses back like yea, sup, ok u, nada, and asking if I had a gf even though my status said single. Not exactly a good way to have a real conversation. Needless to say, that conversation didn't last very long.

Also, please type normally, and avoid text message words like 2nite, and shortening words like yeah. I don't mind lol and things like that, but try to keep them to a respectable level at least. I don't think this is too much too ask. If you do use those kinds of words, well, it's acceptable but would not be very attractive if you always chatted like that.