So first I will get the mandatory vague statements out of the way, that way you will feel at home amongst all the other profiles you have read: I like to do stuff, I like things, and I'm looking for a woman who also likes stuff and things. OK, now since that's out of the way :) onto the real profile:

So who am I?

Humor is very important to me and my family. You will need to be able to give as good as you get if you are to survive. Though be aware, the sense of humor is not always for the faint of heart. Ask me about "Slick", the graduation day bathtub, and arranging to have my friend delivered to the church on his wedding day in the back of the County Sherriff’s cruiser (lights and siren of course).

I am a romantic at heart. If you don't enjoy the thought of holding hands while wandering through a botanical garden or playing cards while curled up in front of the fireplace on a cold day, then I am probably not for you. I firmly believe that "happily ever after" is possible, but realize that it takes a commitment of both effort and time of two to make it happen.

I sometimes do things that others might not consider completely sane. For example, you can get a charcoal grill to glow yellow if you attach an oxygen cylinder to it.

Much of what I do for work is behind a desk (probably one of the few people who remembers the difference between sine and cosine because of frequent use), but I do enjoy being able to do and create things with my hands. I consider my a decent cook, I have designed and built things ranging from a deck to a reinforced concrete shield for a research reactor, I have wired circuits from 12 V to 6000 V, and have fit pipe for systems from PVC at city pressure to stainless steel at over 1000 psi.

I enjoy trying new things. Last winter I tried skiing and snowboarding for the first time while visiting family near Jackson Hole, WY. I've also learned this fall that, in addition to people, quicksand also likes eating dirt bikes.

I enjoy traveling. I have been to all but handful of the 50 States. I have been fortunate that work has given me the opportunity to see parts of the UK, Germany, Finland, the Northwest Territories, and China. I like to see the big attractions, but I also enjoy exploring the area away from the prime tourist destinations. I have always found people you meet doing that to be so very warm and friendly.

Nature never ceases to amaze me -- hovering over a coral reef watching shrimp clean a grouper, laying outside watching the night sky, enjoying the sound and fury of an approaching storm, watching cicada wasps prep their burrows. If you have ever found yourself completely engrossed observing some detail of the world around you, we may be kindred spirits.

Before wrapping up, some honesty is required. I am currently separated which I realize can be a red flag for many. I ask that you look beyond what is a temporary phase (the legal process is underway and nearing completion). I list myself single as that is how I view myself from a mental and practical state.

I do a mix of fire research and fire protection. It is a really fun job, after all I sometimes get paid to set stuff on fire! The downside is you may want to think twice about asking me to light candles for dinner (or at least have a fire extinguisher handy).

Outside of work I enjoy all the usual hang with friends , see movies ,etc. type stuff but I also enjoy autocross with my Trans-Am, sucba diving (anywhere as long as it is wet), and riding my motorcycle. Not to worry I also enjoy less equipment intensive activities like hiking outdoors and riding my bicycle. I am currently learning to play guitar.

making tzatziki sauce
Finding the humor in any situation
Coming up with great ideas (though perhaps rarely practical and maybe only great in the view of my own warped brain)

That crazed, mad scientist glint in the eyes.

Books: Dune, Lord of The Rings, Beggars in Spain, The Chosen, Guns Germs and Steel, Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman, Ender's Game, Red October, Inherit the Wind

Movies: Bladerunner, Alien, All the Presidents Men, Unforgiven, The Princess Bride

Music: Like a bit of everything but mostly classic rock, and the various flavors of hard rock/metal.

Food: Too many to list. I love interesting dishes from other cultures.

TV: Bones, Fringe, Robot Chicken, Colbert Report, Mythbusters, Ghost in the Shell SAC, Babylon 5

music
books
my cat
warm water reefs
unspoiled wilderness
evil IPA's (where the hops reach out of the bottle and knife you as you take a sip)

Whatever current bit of my fire model I am working on... any ideas on handling soot deposition in an LES code?

life, the universe, and everything

hoping that there were no witnesses

I still watch Sat. morning cartoons. Spongebob rocks!

You like the idea of romance, mixed with great humor, and and a never ceasing sense of amazement about the world around us. You are passionate about something in your life and want for a relationship filled with passion.

or if you happen to need someone to help you brainstorm on the best way to take over the world via some diabolical scheme doomed to failure by a fatal flaw like labeling the auto-destruct switch on your doomsday device.

If my story, sounds like your story or story that you would like to be a part of, drop me a line