REVISED 10/29/09

ATTENTION: I've decided that I will no longer, or rarely, "go after" women on here (message them first) because I have come to the realization that there are WAY more men on these sites than women and women pretty much have the pick of the litter. I will respond to messages that I want to respond to and I may send a wink to get your attention, but that's it. I'm not going to waste my time messaging women who I would like to get to know better because they probably get hundreds of other emails and, as conceited as this sounds, I have enough desirable qualities that I shouldn't have to beg and wave my arms to get attention from women.

I decided to overhaul this… again. Be sure to read the WHOLE thing before you decide to blow me off :)

First of all, I’m on here to meet new people and since I’m not currently in school, dating your coworkers is a bad idea, and I’m smart enough to know that bars are the worst place to meet decent people, what other options do I have?

About me:
- My favorite things would probably be music, hockey, and laughing.
- Hockey is an essential part of my life so you can’t hate it. If you do, any relationship (other than a sexual one - which isn't going to happen since I'm not sexy or cool enough) is out of the question.
- I enjoy being competitive, but I don't always have to be.
- I love making others laugh, whether it's at my expense or not, and I don't have to try too hard to do it.
- I'm sarcastic, but not so sarcastic that it gets annoying.
- I prefer to listen, as opposed to always having my mouth going.
- I'm a hard worker. My dad grew up on a farm and he's always been about "building character" (I have character coming out of my ears).
- I love fixing, building, and creating things (cars, electronics/computers, home improvement, yard work, anything) and it's something I'm good at.
- I don't mind getting dirty or breaking a sweat.
- I own a tuxedo and a Carhartt coat (no, I don’t wear them together).
- I have performed at Carnegie Hall as part of a national ensemble. I was also hockey teammates in high school with current NHL players. (how many guys can say that they've done both of those??)
- I enjoy being independent, but I wouldn't mind having someone to share some of my time with (but not all of it).
- I'm more of a trend-setter than a follower.
- Honesty is important to me.
- When I go out to a bar I prefer a hoodie and jeans. You'll never see me in the standard-issue striped buttoned shirt that every other guy in the room has on.
- I don't shop at AE, AF, Hollister, or any place like that.
- I’m one of the few people on this earth who doesn’t own a North Face fleece (it's okay if you have one or more).
- I have been called an "excellent cuddler" :) (I know it's odd for me to put that in, but I'm looking for some brownie points).
- I believe that having a great sense of humor is essential to a lasting relationship or friendship.
- I have one sweet-ass vinyl collection, but I haven't added much to it for a couple years :(
- No, I haven't been to Europe like nearly all of my other friends have (and every woman on here), but I do enjoy traveling and I am always down for a road trip! I really want to go to Germany and Norway someday and I'm hoping to make it there within the next few years.
- There's nothing like a good Friday fish fry, but it's hard to find a good one in the Madison area.
- I have chased criminals through the subways of Chicago.
- I NEVER make promises that I can't keep.
- I know how to use a grill – apparently this is a challenge for many guys.
- I sing in the car when I’m alone or with good friends.
- I make a mean rum cake (seriously, I do).
- You'll probably never hear me say "I don't care."

A little about my history and friends & family
- I enjoy spending time with my family, but too much time does get annoying.
- My parents have been married for 42 years and I had grandparents that were married over 70 years. Commitment is something that I take seriously in everything that I do and I’m not one to let insignificant problems get out of proportion.
- I have strong family values and morals, but I definitely like to unwind and have a good time with the right person ;)
- I don’t have any chronic illnesses or genetic defects/cancer history, kids, a criminal record, history of drug use, troubled past, weird family secrets or anything that would make you think “He’s a great guy, but…” Some might say that I’m insensitive for saying something like that, but I don’t want to get involved with someone with baggage. I have a clean history and I’d like to meet someone who is the same.
- I’m the kind of person who prefers a few close friends rather than a bunch of people that I don’t know all that well.
- I have friends from my music “life” as well as my hockey “life” and I feel fortunate to be able to have the friends that I do, even though mixing the two groups doesn’t turn out too well.
- I am educated and I hope that you are too. You don’t have to have a 4 year degree (I’m not that picky). One exception is that I don’t really care for a lot of the overeducated people that live in Madison.

What I’m looking for:
- I’m very open when it comes to potential dates. It’s frustrating when I check out profiles of women that I think I’d really get long with, yet they have really narrow requirements of who they’re looking for.
- I would prefer someone more on the athletic side because I do like to be active and as much as I say that I like music, I spend just as much time involved with sports.
- Someone with an open mind. I’m open when it comes to political views and religious beliefs.
- Someone with a great sense of humor who enjoys laughing, and can laugh at themselves.
- Someone who is confident and doesn’t have self-esteem issues. I don’t have any issues with either and dealing with someone who does isn’t fun.
- A woman that doesn’t mind being romanced and pampered, yet not smothered. Believe me, you haven’t been romanced until you met me ;) No, I don’t do anything cheesy, I just have my own way of doing things.
- You need to be able to be independent. Neediness and insecurity are not attractive qualities.

ALSO, if you're "fortunate" enough to get a wink from me (you can stop laughing now), I would appreciate it if you would give me a yes or no response right away rather than do nothing and leave me hanging. I’m used to getting the “Keep looking. Other opportunities…” denial message so don’t worry about hurting my feelings.

On another note, I have been considering getting into yoga for some time to improve my flexibility (it definitely isn't what it used to be when I played hockey almost every day), and if you'd like a yoga buddy, or are interested in helping me out, let me know. I, and my muscles, would really appreciate it!

Bonus points if you can skate (or would like to learn)!

I'm one semester away from my B.A. in Music from UWSP, but I decided to take some time off from school in January to try and make a little money and think about what I really want to do with the rest of my life. Currently working in sales but I'm not crazy about it. I also have another job working hockey, which I'm fortunate to have. There's nothing like getting paid to do something you love :)

- Fixing things (computers, electronics, cars, just about anything)

- Music (instrumental performing - not so much singing, just writing, and I guess teaching). I can play every instrument except flute, oboe, and bassoon. Right now I only really focus on guitar and piano.

- Hockey - on a good day ;)

- Getting things down from high places.

- Being reliable, smart, and a "go-to guy"

- Knowing what's in my best interests and not being irresponsible (well, most of the time)

- Crossword puzzles (I always do mine in pen)

- Scrabble

- Super Chexx bubble hockey!

- NHL '95 for Super Nintendo (I know, a valuable skill)

- Debating things

- Making people laugh

- Spelling (I don't have spell check, so disregard any typos)

- Knowing "a lot of shit about a lot of shit" :)

- Playing Catchphrase

- "Bed stuff" - to put it lightly. I don't want to get too cocky ;)

If it's not my height then it's probably going to be my blond hair. Other than those things, my sense of humour is probably next on the list. I'm a pretty modest person (except on here, since I have to show off to keep up with everyone else) and you have to do a bit of prodding to really get to know me.

Books - I guess I don't have any favorite books. I have favorite music books, but I can't count those. Being in school the last few years hasn't given me much time to read on my own. I do enjoy reading biographies. Last summer I read Eric Clapton's autobiography. Now I'm finishing up Doctor Zhivago. Favorite/most useful book right now: 1995 GM W-Body Service Manual.

Movies - Caddyshack, The Big Lebowski, Borat, music/concert dvds-The Beatles Anthology, The Last Waltz (The Band), classic movies, The Godfather trilogy, The Sting, Fletch, Jackie Brown, UHF. I'm generally not a fan of the big blockbuster movies or anything pretentious. If you have a Blu-Ray player I love you already :) A huge turn-off is going to a video store with a girl and seeing her turn her nose up when I suggest renting an older/classic movie. It makes me want to leave the store without them.

Music - The Beatles, Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, Wings, The Band, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, The Polyphonic Spree, Deodato, Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, Michael Jackson, The Outfield, Andy Williams, The Delfonics, Eric Clapton, Derek and the Dominos, Don Henley, The Eagles, Al Kooper, Stephen Stills, Jimmy Smith, Vince Guaraldi, Chris Rea, The Traveling Wilburys, The Wallflowers, Boz Scaggs, Huey Lewis and the News, Bill Frisell, Steely Dan, "Beautiful, sexy soul music", classic rock, oldies, some jazz, blues, real country, some classical, usually nothing after 1980*

* - ask me for more information

Food - I guess a lot of people would consider me to be a picky eater, but I disagree. I just prefer more simple food as opposed to all this gourmet shit and whatever (don't put a dab of slop on a huge white plate, charge me $30 and tell me that it's better than a burger). Don't try to get me to eat oysters or sushi because it's disgusting and it'll give you worms (the sushi will). I also don't like to eat things that could kill me because they have the possibility of being poisonous (mushrooms). I'm not crazy about seafood other than your traditional friday fish fry. I also refuse to eat pretty much any non-lettuce based salad and I don't eat cheese for dessert. Food that I like: American, German (more than just brats), Italian, Chinese, Mexican. I suppose my all-time favorite would be a good pepperoni pizza (sauerbraten is up there too).

In no particular order:

1. Music

2. Hockey

3. Family & Friends

4. Laughter/jokes/comedy/sarcasm

5. Winter

6. Sex, women, romance, that sort of thing (I'm a guy, okay? And I can tell you right now that I think about sex A LOT more than I actually get it.)

- What I want to do with the rest of my life.

- How much better Badger hockey games were when they played at the Coliseum.

- How "Take My Breath Away" won the Oscar for best song and beat out Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love" from Karate Kid 2.

- If someone borrows money to buy a home (99% of homeowners), should they really be considered "homeowners"?

- Random stuff (in a thoughtful way, not an ADD way. I know some ADD people and trying to have a conversation with them can be exhausting)

Fish fry, hockey game, concert, working, who knows? I don't have a typical Friday night.

I have almost all of the qualities of the perfect guy yet no one seems to give a sh!t except for single moms and sketchy girls. Why wouldn't you want to learn more about a guy who can replace the suspension on his car and perform a Mozart clarinet concerto (not at the same time). Or a guy who has been teammates with current NHL players and who has also performed as part of a select ensemble at Carnegie Hall? I guess I'm just getting bitter...

On another note, I have been considering getting into yoga for some time to improve my flexibility (it definitely isn't what it used to be when I played hockey almost every day), and if you'd like a yoga buddy, or are interested in helping me out, let me know. I, and my muscles, would really appreciate it!

You satisfy one (or more) of the following requirements:

1. You are a bit athletic and you also have an artistic/creative side. So far, I've found that the girls who are more artsy tend to have an unattractive elitist vibe to them and are completely turned off by sports, don't watch any tv, and are completely one-sided in their political opinions, are in the process of becoming a cat lady, and listen to NPR non-stop. I need someone who appreciates sports and enjoys some competition, but I'd also like someone who doesn't mind coming with me to a good concert (usually rock, but possibly jazz, blues, or classical [rare]). Also, saying you like any type of music and then making a face if I put some jazz on (or something other than pop) is a HUGE turn-off and pet peeve of mine, so don't bother talking to me if this is you! In the end, I guess I'm looking for someone who isn't a ditz, but yet isn't a snob either.

2. You're a girl

3. You think that Peter Cetera was robbed of an Oscar.

4. You think that vegetarians who eat fish are cheating.

5. You aren't obsessed with opera.

6. You like joking around yet know when to take yourself seriously.

Oh, and just so you know, I WILL look you up on CCAP to make sure you're not crazy (although I suppose that you could still be crazy).