I am buoyant, dedicated, and romantic. Originally from the mid-west I am now living in Connecticut and have been here going on five years. I still insist on referring to carbonated beverages as "pop."

If given a chance, I will become one of your favorite people. I'm happy, outgoing and love to laugh and I'm looking for a boyfriend so we can adventure together. Physically I stand 5'5, I have a 30" waist, hazel eyes and pale skin. I would describe myself as dedicated, loving, driven, successful, hopeful, flexible, inspired, unique, thoughtful, humorous and fun. Given my background, up-bringing and experiences I consider myself a unique person. I am quiet at first meeting, but once I'm comfortable, my opinions bubble up.

I spend a lot of time hiking. It's a method for me to decompress from the worries of life and helps to keep me in shape. I enjoy visiting with my friends usually over food and drinks, reading, listenting to music, hitting an art museum, watching movies, going to the theatre, etc. And as I recently bought a house, I spend a lot of time getting it in shape. It's a fixer-upper.

You should be forewarned that I am afflicted with a disorder called "nice." Yes, I know; I hear your gasps of horror. "Nice"ness assures that I am low-maintenance, supportive, less-demanding, more understanding, flexible and generally caring. If you have an allergic reaction to this affliction, then I may not be the one for you. I also have a wonderfuly sarcastic sense of humor.

Remember that powerful things come in small packages. Kinda like dynamite, but not as explosive, and as enjoyable and stimulating as pop rocks.

I work in higher education as a director of community service. "Oh, that's really cool. . . . So what do you do?" I connect people to experiences and opportunities that offer them the chance to make a difference in their community. I'm changing people and the world one community service opportunity at a time. It is true; my job rocks. I love working in higher education and I could not imagine doing anything else. I was one of those students that never wanted to leave college.

I volunteer regularly - it's my job afterall. Most notably I chaperone students on alternative break trips each spring. I served three years in national service programs; two years as a VISTA in South Dakota and D.C. and a year in NCCC. Think of it as the domestic Peace Corps.

Aside from that I am that friend that shows up with gifts and random shit I thought you might like or I will call you up and offer baked goods because I'm baking and need someone to give it too. Or if you are trying to accomplish something or fix something I'll show-up with my box of tools and a "can-do" attitude; I am from small-town Ohio afterall.

I need more vacations so dreaming of the possibilities for my next excursion is something I am also doing with my life.

Busting up people's pre-conceptions about me. It is guaranteed that I will do or say something that will surprise you.

Cooking and baking. It is a skill that I have taught myself and something that I really enjoy doing. Ever had vegetarian kibbeh? I make that - you'll want to try it. Hands down, I make the best pizza in New Haven and I have people that will testify to that.

Identifying bullshit. I work with students, I can read bullshit from 25 yards.

Hiking. It's something I do a couple times a week so I'm going to say I'm good at it.

Being a friend, being compassionate and keeping my word. My parents taught me those valuable skills. When I say I'll be there or do that - I'll do it. I'm also good at procrastination so if I say I'll do it and it isn't done immediately - I'll get to it.

If I hug you, you will recognize that I give really good hugs.

If you look at me, you will notice that I'm short and fit and when I smile I have dimples.

If I am speaking, you will recognize that I have a very close relationship with sarcasm and dry humor.

If you spend time around me, that I am a happy person (generally - every so often I can get rather grinchy).

If you walk with me, that I move really fast and that I have a remarkable bubble butt.

Favorite books: To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf. The Bostonians by Henry James. Beowulf. Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. Anything by T.S. Eliot. Just finished The Reader, which was so powerful.

Favorite movies: Amelie, Das Boot, Lawrence of Arabia, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Trick, Lilies, The Silence of the Lambs, Donnie Darko, Clue, A.I., The Bourne Trilogy, Shelter, Were the World Mine, Atonement, The Reader, A Very Long Engagement, Gran Torino and many others.

Favorite Music: Alternative - that would include the Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, REM, etc. I also have a fondness for top 40 stuff, like David Archuletta (don't laugh - his music is fun), that you can sing along to in the car, in the grocery store, in the shower, at the gym, etc.

Favorite Food: Italian (gnocchi [I make that too], cavatelli, pizza!!), Lebanese, Indian. I'm discovering the joys of Puerto Rican cooking.

Coffee - because it makes me sane and fit for human company in the morning.

Art - because the challenge that its construction and understanding demands makes us human.

Literature - it makes me think and introduces me to worlds beyond my own. It also makes me happy.

Sunshine - self explanatory.

Love both emotional and physical (that would be sex) - I can't help it; I like how it makes me feel.

Friends.

What most other men spend a lot of time thinking about: sex, love, relationships.

Developing a relationship.

I've been thinking that I need to find a way to get back to reading more often. I miss literature.

Trying to figure out why all the interesting, attractive and available guys live over an hour away from me.

Relieved that the work week is past me and wondering how I am going to devise some excuse not to work on my house. On regular occassions I'll meet friends for dinner and/or drinks. Beer or pizza or sitting back watching a movie and having some wine or hitting a bar or club.

I believe Cleveland, OH to be the best city on earth.

You are also looking to fill the world with silly love songs. I am and need a partner in crime. You are looking for someone that is honest, up-standing and that you would not be embarassed to introduce to your friends. You think that opinionated, relationship-orientated, driven, short white guys with shaved heads are hot and you believe that holding hands and cuddling are flipping awesome.

At my best-friends wedding one of the speakers led us in this exercise about envisioning the person we want to be with -and these were some of the things I thought of:

You enjoy life
You are fit and enjoy working out or physical activities
You have a career
You are at least height weight proportionate
You are honest
You are looking for a relationship
You believe that sex should be romantic, fun, kinky (often or sometimes) and happen regularly
You have a thing for butts (that meaning you're a top)
You are "out", or near to being so
You do NOT do drugs
You are romantic
You are adventurous and like trying new stuff
You are kind and compassionate and treat wait-staff with respect and courteousy

You should also message me if you have any questions or just want to chat or hang-out.