Before you read on - I am dating someone and not currently available. For some reason when you select "dating someone" it shows up as "Available"...For now I'm keeping my profile since I endorsed (wrote a friendship badge?) a friend on the sight...

I consider myself to be (& have been told be others on occasion that I am) intelligent, considerate, fun, funny, genuine, curious & confident. I am a city-girl at heart. I’m sort of cultured, girl-next-door with a bit of an edge. I am laid back, open minded & reliable. I was raised in downtown Chicago by parents from both coasts which I believe contributed greatly to who I am, and to what I hope to be a fairly well rounded personality. But you be the judge...

I am very social and like to check out a variety of activities. I enjoy all sorts of activities and events from going to Giant's games, to festivals to art shows to fund raising events and way more. I love checking out something different & unique. But I also need occasional serious down-time. I highly value my friends and family. More than anything, I am passionate about traveling. Aside from having a family one day, there is nothing I want more than to see and experience as much of the planet as I can squeeze in!

traveling as much as I can...I also have my own part time jewelry business and a concierge services biz.

lots of things...I'm a good traveler; very creative & artistic so I am good at making, designing & creating all sorts of things; very resourceful; I'm good at working tirelessly when I really care about something - like fundraising for a cause close to my heart; while I am "middle of the road" as far as being outgoing, I can talk to pretty much anyone and generally am very good at making people comfortable around me.

my curly hair and friendly demeanor, and hopefully my jewelry ;)

Too many in all these categories but will list a few for each:

Books: Bel Canto, A Fraction of the Whole, Middlesex, Devil in the White City, The Red Tent, To Kill a Mockingbird...

Food: cake & frosting is a food group unto itself; I also love nearly all types of fruit, good cheese, mojitos, Thai food, sushi & breakfast...

Music: Train, Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Maroon 5, Elton John, Jet, Jason Mraz, Lenny. Love to go see live music. The smaller the venue the better....

Movies: Love the Star Wars movies, About a Boy, Thelma & Louise, Magnolia, Mulholland Drive, Crash, Slumdog Millionaire; movies that really make you think and movies about fate (like Sliding Doors, Serendipity). Although truth be told I rarely actually go to the movies...

allergy meds, passport, music, books, friends/family & coffee

where "he" might be hiding; when I am going to get to see more parts of the planet.

out with friends, probably at a happy hour event, fund raising event or something different & fun. Although some weeks I've been out almost every night, so by Friday I might just need to rest and have a quiet night in...

Is this like "something private to share with 20,000 of my nearest & dearest"??? hmmm, I am very open and honest with people, but need some degree of a comfort level and connection before I spew out anything personal of significance.

You are confident and comfortable with yourself, are laid back, intelligent, considerate, a gentleman, fun, like to travel, enjoy getting out and actually doing stuff, & want to have a family (or add to yours). I'd like to believe I embody those qualities (except the gentleman thing - that's your job...) and I hope you do too. I sound like someone you'd connect with. I tend to connect most with guys who are very smart and witty.

I am looking to actually meet men ultimately seeking a serious relationship & would like to have children (more if you already have kids); no "casual encounters", NO interest in online chat buddies, especially if you are on the other side of the planet, half my age or old enough to be my father! (ew) and you have photos posted...Really - No photo = No response. You would never contact me if you did not like my photo...

So I have been on this site a while. I get it - it's free. You get what you pay for (although it's actually a pretty cool site in many ways...) but sorry - I just need to vent here for a bit. I am a very reasonable and patient person, but here are a few observations that might be helpful. 1) I find it bizarre that so many people post old pictures - like when they WERE 30 pounds lighter and HAD a full head of hair. I get it if there might be something really funny or distinct, but it does not do you ANY good too say "look, I USE TO BE attractive". Really, it is better to just show what you currently look like. 2) I find it so odd when people just post pics that are obscured - like it's too dark or the back of your head or 1/3 of your face, or really far away and your face is 2 mm tall. Why? It sends too many messages that do not serve your needs here. 3) Please stop posting pics that are not of you. I am seriously into photography, but this is not the place to post it. I don't care if you took a nice picture on your last trip. If we go on a couple dates, I'd then love to see your photography. 4) I don't mind 1 pic of your pet, but when there is 1 pic of you, and 4 of your dog, you clearly have a problem. No more pics of your car either! 5) if you only post one photo, it seems it turns out to be pretty old or unusually flattering and not representative. I'm not suggesting you post bad pics, just ones you resemble. In this day & age it's pretty easy to have & post other pics to give a better idea of what you look like. 6) stop lying about your age. Just deal with it. If I meet you and you have already lied to me, believe me - you are probably not charming/hot/interesting/whatever enough to regain my trust.

I am truly very open as far as looks, but I do need an inkling of attraction. Ultimately, these issues are what help me (and probably most other women) actually get a sense of who you are in various ways, and if there is a reason to trust you. This is also something that comes into play when searching for someone authentic and genuine. When I show up to meet you and I barely recognize you from your photos, I will know at that point that you are either a liar, insecure or some lovely combination of the two. If I have a realistic idea of what I am walking into, there is a much better chance I will not be disappointed.

OK, sorry, I'm done. stepping off my soap box now...