What? I'm a great catch! Honest, loving, funny as hell, serious as hell too. I'm loyal and giving to those I love, dedicated to the causes I believe in, not afraid to try new things, speak my mind or step into danger to protect someone. Once you like me, you'll love me. My future partner is just that - a partner. Honest, respectful, trustworthy, great sense of humor esp. sarcasm, slow to anger, loves nature, animals, learning and exploring new things/experiences, passionate (not just about love), loyal, open-minded, non-judgmental. I am pretty low-maintenance and handle my own baggage. I'm looking for a man who can hold his own - financially and emotionally.
"The trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more."

I am so many things!

* My experience here is that, if I contact someone, they don't respond, even if we have a high match percentage. So maybe my picker is off. If you're interested in getting to know me, then tell me! Don't just look at my profile and hope I'll contact you. I don't want to jinx it!

As I turned 40, I decided that it was time to stop saying "I'll do that when... " and now I'm doing it! Living it! Lovin it! I went camping for the 1st time recently and took my first trip out of the US. I love time with friends and my dogs. I go hiking with the dogs and find great local trails to explore. I love my career but definitely need to keep it in check as it has consumed my life in the past. I've got a pretty good balance now and I'm looking for a partner to share with. (Yeah, ending a sentence with a preposition = Chicago born and raised) I love to learn new things. I joined a gym a couple months ago, working out 2-3x a week. I enjoy Yoga and swimming. I've also started working on the elliptical and weight machines and they're not so horrible. Took a metalsmithing class @ Callenwolde. I love yard saling and thrift store shopping. Finding something and turning it into something better is great recycling.

finding creative solutions to challenging situations, organizing, art, making people feel they can be themselves and laugh, laughing at myself, making and maintaining friendships, cutting red tape. I have quite a few talents, but can always learn more...

My laugh, my curly black hair. My sarcasm and bluntness. People usually remember me b/c either they really liked me or really didn't.

Books - The Witching Hour series - Anne Rice, The Red Tent, Everything is Illuminated, Eat, Pray, Love, Jitterbug Perfume, Books of Rachel, Kite Runner, but A thousand Splendid Suns was horribly depressing...

Movies - 80's John Hughes flics, Lord of the Rings, The Cook, the Theif, His Wife and Her Lover, Corrina, Corrina, Princess Bride. I'm not a big moviegoer, in fact, it's been years since I've been to the theater.

Music - my ipod is crammed with everything from Sam Cooke and Etta James to The Cult and Concrete Blonde, CSNY and the Beatles to SRV and Prince. Newer artists - King of Leon, Adelle LOVE music!

Food - Thai, Malaysian, Indian, Mediterrainean, Italian, all kinds of Chocolate, except white - NOT a chocolate. I love to find new local restaurants. Since my trip to Ecuador - CEVICHE!!!

My rescued dogs, music, friends, nature, laughing, and great food

how to take advantage of my life now that I feel this new-found freedom to do anything I want.
how to ensure that I have enough money to do these things.
how, if I had unlimited resources, I'd rescue hundreds of dogs and lie in a big heap with them.
buying some land in N GA with a stream or river on it...
what life will be like when I find my love.

Out with friends for dinner, laughing and telling tall tales OR cuddled up with the dogs watching a flic.

I love TV more than I should. Not too exciting, huh?

you dare! ;)

I am looking for someone close to my age - about 5 yrs or so. If you live for Nascar, right wing politics, money, hunting, golf, gangsta/thug life, or you are a devout Christian looking for a God-fearing woman you have the wrong girl. No offense - well, maybe on some of these - just not my thing.