Executive Summary: Divorced, healthy, active writer w/manners, experience and great sense of humor seeks woman w/similar qualities. And if you want to sing harmony or play tennis -- big plus!

The Longer Version: I'm a divorced dad, and a happy one -- no 'scary ex' stories. But I'm always open to meeting someone new, smart, funny -- and adventurous.

I'm a happy, successful writer with a long, diverse resume -- who else do you know who's appeared on The History Channel and in Marvel Comics? But I define my work; it doesn't define me. And I'll never be accused of taking myself -- or anything -- too seriously.

I'm well-traveled and experienced. Seen the world as a journalist, public speaker and tourist; like where I am and who I am -- don't feel I have anything to prove or anyone to impress.

Things I like to do: Long walks in big cities; exploring used bookstores; searching for the perfect Mexican restaurant; touring the nation's ballparks; visiting historic landmarks and just soaking it all in.

I prefer lakes to beaches; the Beach Boys to the Beatles (by a nose -- Ringo's); Paul Simon to James Taylor; my son's games to professional sports; The Office (UK) to The Office (US); I'd rather cook than be cooked for; and I'm currently making my way through all the old movies I should have seen by now, but haven't. Up next: The Manchurian Candidate and The Sting.

I should add: I enjoy dining out, but I have a "fork theory." The more forks at a restaurant place setting, the smaller the portions, the higher the prices, the less I enjoy the experience. I guess I'm a one-forker at heart, but I can accommodate two.

So. Desires ... I'd love to meet a spirited woman who's seen the world, likes what she sees, and who can bring her own laughs, travels, accomplishments and memories to the coffee table and share them with me. Big bonus if she'll play tennis (finding a tennis partner is, frankly, tougher than finding a date!).

I play and watch sports, so I'd love to meet someone who'll join me on the tennis court or in Boston for a ballgame. I've got partial season tix to the Red Sox, and I probably see 10 or 12 Celtics games a year. Sports is just a hobby -- I do keep it in perspective -- but it's also a great shared experience.

I also like to play music (guitar and piano -- enough to be dangerous), and I'd love to meet a woman who's comfortable enough with herself to sing with me. The songs we grew up on -- you know all the words! Question is: Are you willing to open up and sing them? (People who will sing are actually tougher to find than tennis partners and dates.)

No hidden agenda here. Just looking to start a good conversation with someone who's in the same place in life that I am, and let's see where it takes us. Bonus points -- and easy date -- if you also haven't seen The Manchurian Candidate or The Sting.

Oh. I'm also currently researching and writing a book on ghost stories, so if you've got any good ones -- lay 'em on me!

Um, and no, I can't help you publish that best-seller you know you have deep down within you. I've got my own to write. :)

Door #1: We meet for coffee at the venue of your choice. I'll take mine tall & black, please. Have what you'd like; my treat. Let's grab that quiet table by the window. Sit, talk, share. In under an hour, let's do our best to tell each other how we got to this great point in our lives. If you'd like to continue talking, then we can go for a meandering walk. If not -- no harm, no foul. Nice meeting you. I like people.

Door #2: We meet for a drink at the pub of your choice. I'd love a Black & Tan, thanks. Want an appetizer with that? Your choice; my treat. I hope it's finger food! Let's grab that table in the corner, away from the bar and TV's. Same deal: Share two lives in under an hour. If you're happy, maybe we can go shoot some pool -- best three games out of five; loser buys. OK, OK, I'll buy regardless!

Door #3: Special warm-weather option -- we meet at a public tennis court, play a set or two, get a wonderful workout, then sit down on a bench, talk and maybe go for a cool-down walk. God, that'd be ideal at the end of one of these brutal workdays!

Door #4: Your choice. I'm open to suggestions. What do you want to do? If it involves a big used bookstore, I'm hardly averse. :)