I could start this off by saying, as I so often have, that I'm a 30-something web jockey who writes the occasional poem and enjoys reading and going for the occasional long drive in the country. But this time, I won't. That sort of thing doesn't tell you anything about me, really. And arrogant though I may be at times, I'd never try to fool myself into believing that I'm capable of focusing an outside lens inward and painting my true personality on the page as others may find me to be.

Perhaps the best way is with a mirror -- who I am, in some ways, may be reflected in what I want to find in a partner.

I need an intelligent woman, but not a pure intellectual who's all theory and no practice. She needs to be earthy, grounded, in touch with her body and the world around her. Someone who can dream, who can see beyond the immediate sphere, but doesn't lose track of home. The kind of gal who can carry on an occasional conversation full of innuendo without missing a beat, stands up for what she believes in but isn't blind to new or changed ideas, and leaves people thinking of her as someone special and unique. Someone who's good at making friends, but doesn't make friends of everyone and leave herself without time for herself. Someone independent enough to stand alone, and strong enough to stand by my side without losing herself. Someone who can love deeply and fiercely, but who can set emotional turmoil to the side to look at things objectively. Someone who can make a joke, enjoy a joke, and occasionally take a joke. A woman who enjoys the arts, whether she understands them or not.

I want a relationship based on mutual respect and affection, shared feelings, with someone similar enough to feel right and different enough that we both grow from knowing each other. Someone sensual and intelligent, with a healthy sex drive and a lust for learning, too; someone who appreciates both romance and a need for solitude; someone I can feel comfortable with whether we're dancing, drinking, or just reading together in companionable silence. I don't think I'm willing to settle for anything less, anymore.

And I want it to be one that has potential... one with a good chance that 50 years from now we'll still be together. I'm willing to put everything into making it work... with the right person.

But perhaps more information is needed. Facts, not thoughts.

So -- A few random things:

I read a lot, catch the occasional movie, and visit local theatres regularly. During warmer weather I enjoy going to the zoo and driving in the country, occasionally visiting wineries or the beach.

I live in a century old Victorian home. My bed is sitting in the middle of a circular room, facing a bank of curved glass windows that face the sunrise. All wood floors and lots of neat details, lots of cool old wavy windows, plaster walls, a porte-cochere, a third floor with a really high ceiling, not much closet space, two fireplaces, a tiny kitchen, and a pretty big yard (for the location, anyway. It's about 1/3 an acre). Oh, and a clawfoot tub in the bathroom that begs for bubbles. :)

My interests are pretty eclectic. I have a fairly large array of specialized and mostly useless knowledge. When I was a child, any question I asked my parents was usually answered by "look it up" -- so I'd look up the dictionary word or encyclopedia entry, and then 40 or 50 others on the way. These days, I end up with 30 or 40 wikipedia tabs open in my browser, instead.

I used to play the online game World of Warcraft quite a bit, but not much anymore. But someone who also plays or played would be nice, since I wouldn't feel like a complete dork if I let some WoW terminology slip into conversation.

My sense of humor often doesn't match the mainstream. I range from obscure geek humor to funny voices to clever plays on words that sadly most people seem not to get. But I have plenty of humor most people get, too. :-)

Also, I'm very much a night person. Do a web search for "Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder" - that's me. My internal clock is on something like Hawaii time. It doesn't say "bedtime" until 2 AM or so, and falling asleep at 8 or 9 is as hard for me as it would be for most people to fall asleep at 4 or 5pm. I function best late at night... I always have, since I was a small child.

I have a good career with a good company. If I manage to retire early, or get bored with what I do, I've thought of running a used book store and/or a bed & breakfast someday, but that's nothing actively planned.

I recently purchased a restored 105 year old Queen Anne, and while I miss living on the river, I adore this house!

My goal at the moment is to stumble across someone interesting with potential for a serious relationship.

Modesty. Just kidding. ;)

Lots of things, really.

People tend to come to me for answers and advice. I've joked a time or two that I understand why sages lived on mountaintops. Not that I'm particularly sage-like*... just accessible, I guess. :)

*Note: Additionally, I in no way resemble parsley, rosemary, or thyme, and at present have no plans to go to Scarborough Fair.

I don't know. I'm not other people. :)

I think it would depend a great deal on the situation in which they've noticed me.

Books
I have hundreds of books, it's hard to choose favorites authors even, let alone individual books.

I suppose "Anthem" by Ayn Rand, Robert Greene's "26 Laws of Power" and "The Art of Seduction", the "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series by Douglas Adams. Also, most books by L.E. Modesitt and Robin Hobb qualify. I read lots and lots of fantasy, with some sci-fi, classics, Dean Koontz, and assorted non-fiction for leavening. I'll paste some more in from another place.. sorry for any repeats.
Julie Melonia: PHP Essentials (this is what first opened up web development to me and set me on the path to my career)
Ayn Rand: Anthem
Robert Greene: 26 Laws of Power, Art of Seduction
Douglas Adams: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series
Robert Jordan: Wheel of Time series
L.E. Modesitt: Recluce series and most of his sci-fi (he's about the only sci-fi writer I'll read)
Mickey Zucher Reichart: Anything
Michelle West: Her hunter books. The sun sword ones, not so much.
Raymond E. Feist: Everything he's written
Dean Koontz: Pretty much everything, Twilight Eyes is probably my favorite
Mark Twain: Alot of his short stories. Captain Stormfield's Visit to Heaven

Movies
Mel Brooks' "History of the World: Part 1," "Casablanca," "The Matrix," "The Hobbit," and "Revenge of the Nerds." I like lots of old movies, particularly stuff with Bogart and Peter Lorre, as well as more modern ones. Also The Tao of Steve.

Music
Lots of disparate things: Billy Joel, Diana Krall, Edvard Grieg, Flogging Molly, Hendrix, Iron & Wine, Israel Kamakawiwo`ole ("Bruddah Iz"), Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Buffet, John Denver, Jonathan Coulton, M.C. Hawking, Morphine, Paul Schwartz, Phil Collins, Pink Floyd, Queen, Roger Waters, Simon and Garfunkel, Steve McDonald, Stew, Styx, The Eagles, the Cranberries, and lots of Broadway Musicals... pretty wide range of stuff, really.

Foods
I adore good Greek food. I got hooked on dolmathes and saganaki ("opa!" cheese) in college, and there's nowhere around South Bend that you can get the real thing. Other than that, I like most things. Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Italian, Mexican... I don't do seafood though. Not a big fan of sushi. I love going to the local Farmer's Market and the restaurant there. My other favorite restaurants here in town are Francesco's, the Emporium, Doc Pierce's, The Volcano, The Oaken Bucket, Bonnie Doon's (My second grade teacher WAS Bonnie Doon -- her parents were the ones who started the company.. but they named her after it, not the other way around), Barnaby's, Noodle Alley, and Siam Thai.

Peace, within and without. Books to read. Quiet time to think, to contemplate, to write. Good conversations. Smiles. And my iphone :-)

Everything, really.

Lately I've spent a lot of time thinking about my vacation to Puerto Rico... first planning for it, then engaging in it, and now reminiscing over it as I work on getting photos uploaded and labelled, linger a bit in the morning over the coffee I brought back with me, or answer the same questions over and over again about various aspects of the trip. Short version: I had a ton of fun, if you ever want to seriously relax, go spend a week at the Casa Grande in Puerto Rico... but make sure your drivers license is renewed before you travel!!!

(ok, ok... that vacation was two years ago and I went back last year, but I'm still thinking about it!)

Out with a friend, and then relaxing, reading a book or watching a movie. Or out on a date.

On another dating site, it asked about first dates. I'll pop my answer from there in here:

Hmm... well, it depends on the season... and on the girl!

One first date last November began early in the afternoon at Notre Dame's Snite museum. We had a great time going through the exhibits, especially once we reached the paintings. We decided the date needed to continue, so we met up at the Fiddler's Hearth, a celtic restaurant downtown, and tried out their fabulous shepherd's pie while listening to the irish band. Afterwards, we walked a couple of chilly blocks to the South Bend Chocolate Cafe for something warm to drink (the la salle is the best... hot chocolate made from their own melted chocolate, steamed milk, and a couple of drops of the mint oil they use for one of their more popular candies). We sat and drank our chocolates and talked for an hour or so. Finally, we went back to the parking garage, but decided we weren't ready for the night to end. We sat in my car until around 2am talking until we realized how late it was -- the date had lasted a bit over 12 hours.

Another first date involved flowers at the door, followed by dinner at the East Bank Emporium, a romantic walk along the East Race, a first kiss shared beside the waterfalls, and another trip to the chocolate cafe... hey, it's a great place!

My last first date was just drinks at Lula's, my favorite little cafe near Notre Dame. It didn't really go very well... no synergy. I was pretty bored the whole time and the only thing that rescued me was that Lula's is a constant treat to the senses. Of course, I've had some really fun dates there, too....

It really depends on you... and how much time we spend getting to know each other before meeting. If art bores you to tears, it's not going to be an art museum. If you love animals, I might suggest the zoo. If you like wine and we have lots of time, it might be a tour of the lake michigan wine trail. If you're into new kinds of food, maybe dinner at a thai, indian, or celtic place. Not much time, or we haven't talked enough to know we're not going to be bored by each other? A quick lunch or coffee somewhere...

Private? I like lots of foreplay and enjoy using toys on my bed partners? I like some disco music?

Any of the above interests you, I suppose. I always love talking to new and interesting people, regardless of their gender-plumbing, age, or location.

For a serious relationship, these are the things I'd be interested in:

She has to be smart. Ideally extremely intelligent. She's probably the sort of person who reads for pleasure, who enjoys art and multiple types of music, including more nuanced genres such as jazz and classical. She doesn't have to be a computer geek, but she has to have patience for someone who is. She has to be able to handle being treated like an absolute queen most of the time, and maybe not being noticed when I'm absorbed in a problem or project. She should be a very sensual person, who enjoys life on multiple levels, who takes time to smell and taste and touch the world, not just glance past it and tune out its noises. She needs to love pleasure, and not feel guilty about it. It doesn't hurt if she's artistic or musical... I'm a moderately trained vocalist (Studied voice in college but didn't finish the degree) and I like to sing on occasion, and I was brought up to appreciate art.