I am a fairly well-traveled guy living in the North Woods of Wisconsin, in the Northeastern part of the state. I've been fortunate enough to experience a wide range of things and places in my life so far, and now circumstances draw me back to the place of my upbringing. I live on a farm, and I have a job in town which, while not my dream come true, is reasonably honest, and pays enough to do what I need until I can finish up the work I'm doing to get certification in one of the helping professions. Some of my family is nearby, and they are important to me. I have never married and have no kids. I am pretty active, I always have something to do, and I would like a partner to share in some of that, and give me an excuse to not work all the time...

Well, see above. I'm pursuing a course of study, I raise horses, beef and a garden, I build some of what I need. Seeking to connect with people who are interested in some of the things that interest me. Learning about the things that interest you, preferably from you.

I'm working to get back in to a job where I interact with, and care for, those with addiction and mental illness. These are populations that the wider society is all too happy to ignore and discard, but they are people who mean a lot to me.

Cooking. I cooked professionally for a little better than 20 years. I am happier now away from the stress. I am trying to be as good at growing food as I am at cooking it.

I'm tall and kinda wiry with unruly red hair and a big mustache. I'm inclined to fairly strong opinions; I think I came by them honestly, but then, so does everybody.

Hemingway's A Moveable Feast, a lot of Kurt Vonnegut and Hunter Thompson, Joseph Heller's Catch 22; Dr. Strangelove, Monty Python stuff, Mel Brooks films, Woody Allen, Casablanca; Steely Dan, Beatles, Ry Cooder, John Hiatt, Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt, Tom Petty, the Dead, too much to list, really... ; Food? Whaddya got?

Never is a long time... and there's the obvious, food, water, shelter,air, fossil fuel [for now], b.s...

But for the purpose of the question, here goes--

My truck, my tractor, my computer [now...] my kitchen tools, my Ray-Bans, a good pocket knife, decent coffee, cornstarch, warm clothes and boots...more than six... oh, well...

The job I'm doing, what's in front of me. As I mentioned, I have opinions and I'll argue them when I'm pressed, but I might not be glad about it. I have been thinking lately on what I want to accomplish in the time I have; career goals in tough times; how I'd like my relationships to unfold and how to actually get there; what I can do to make the lives of the people I love a little bit better; doing the next right thing; expanding my circle of friends, with an eye to making new ones, as well as re-connecting with people from my past, at least those I like,and with whom I have things in common; where the world is headed, and how to make my tiny slice of it a better place to live.

I also spend a lot of time thinking about "The Other," people and ideas that aren't mainstream and vanilla. Like LGBT issues, kink, and polyamory, and where I fit in on that continuum.

In keeping with my notions of The Other, I also spend time puzzling upon addiction and mental illness, and what I can do to touch those lives, and perhaps do some thing to improve the lives I touch.

Usually relaxing at home. But lately, I've been getting out and about a little more. I'm trying to re-connect with things that used to captivate me: art, music, different cultural activities, both high and low. Often watching the Friday news shows on PBS. Probably eating fried fish, because this is Wisconsin. That's what we do here. I think there's a law on the subject.

I've not always made the greatest choices in life, and starting over with better choices can be damn hard. I'm a recovering person, and I'm determined to live the day I am given deliberately. I look for some accomplishment in myself, be it large or trivial. I don't mind being with people who use responsibly.

I appeal to you, if you're bright and open-minded. If you'd like to discuss topics of mutual interest. If any of what you've read here piques your interest, and you'd like to talk about it .