I'm just an average guy in... wait, no. I hate that opening. There's no such thing as average when it comes to people. We all have quirks and amazing, interesting stories. I've been paid to hear people's stories and relate them to others, so trust me, I know.

So, I'm a guy who grew up in the boonies in a town of less than 1,000 that was 75 miles from the nearest stoplight who now lives in a city about 45 miles outside of Sacramento. I have a degree in journalism and I work at a newspaper, but I don't write much. I mostly do Web-based journalism -- shooting and editing videos, building online databases, writing blogs, moderating reader comments, running the paper's Twitter/Facebook accounts, and whatever other tasks are asked of me. I have the luxury of going in to work and honestly having zero clue how my day is going to end. I once got 15 minutes advance warning that I was going to be standing six feet from Governor Schwarzenegger, filming him dig a gold shovel into dirt.

Personality-wise, you're going to get a guy who is good with the minutiae. I'm great with remembering dates, locations, listening, throwing out random facts to keep a conversation going, etc. I've developed a broad knowledge base, which makes me comfortable doing everything from playing a game of chess or mancala to attending a monster truck rally. I've never had a date say I was going to be the subject of future therapy sessions. Your family would like me, but I have just enough of a reckless streak to raise their blood pressure.

I have a few activities that I enjoy, some more than others. I'm on a trivia team that competes weekly in Natomas, where my teammates call me "Captain Obscurity" because I don't have any sort of knowledge I specialize in, but do well at a lot of little things. (Which U.S. president had 15 children? Got that one.), I have to guts to sing karaoke -- sober, and I've been high-fived for singing Metallica in a Clamper bar. Short hikes and overnight camping can be fun, too. I also play golf, which usually turns into a series of short hikes into the woods. I'm also involved in a couple of church activities, including a pro wrestling ministry where I adopt a cowboy hat and bad accent. Trust me, it's fun.

In the past seven months, I've lost more than 50 pounds. I'm proud of it, but I'm still getting used to getting compliments now and again on my appearance. It's a way to kill stress, and I think I should be the kind of guy a woman I'd want to date deserves in all ways, including appearance. I still have at least another 20 pounds I'm planning to lose. Ultimate goal is a six-pack. Why not?

What am I looking for in the fairer gender? Somebody who is comfortable being trusted and confided in. Somebody who can break me out of routines and keep me on my toes a little. Somebody who can have fun staying in or going out. You don't have to believe everything I believe, in fact I kind of hope you don't, but respect what I think. You don't need to be a size 4, but since I'm into making myself healthy after years of screwing off, it would be nice if you're into that as well. Not worried about hair color or height that much, but I will admit I'm a sucker for nice eyes. Bonus traits likely to make me melt are the ability to play guitar, enjoyment of sports and a significant knowledge of current events.

No dinner and movie dates. If I wanted to sit next to somebody, not say a word to them and stare at a giant screen for two hours, I have plenty of friends available for that. A date's got to mean something.

So I'd like to start off with an activity. And the activity is going to have be something that should at least trigger some conversation and laughter, because if that's not part of the relationship, it's just not going to work. I'm thinking something along the lines of bowling or mini-golf. Something where you can't take yourself too seriously. Then, go someplace laid-back and light to eat, and follow it up with a walk-and-talk.