As a fairly laid back and independent person, I love to be around someone who is much the same. That being said, I'm not a one night stand type of guy, and think it takes at least two dates to figure out if there's anything there. The first date occasional seems to feel like some strange audition, from both people. I'm intersted in falling for someone, I've been there before, and hope to find someone to fulfill that feeling again, and hopefully ten fold. Love is not a myth. Even men (intelligent ones at least) want to be swept off their feet.
I'm very ambitious with dreams and goals I strive for, so the girl I would be attracted to would have to have their own goals professional and personal that are essential to them. I think that's what makes a successful relationship, two people with lives of their own that come together offering new experiences, thoughts, and points of view to share with the other. I've found it makes love that more addictive in those circumstances. I've always been UNattracted to the type of girl who drops the friends, and life they have once they get in a serious relationship. The pressure to fulfill the needs of all that was abandoned is way too much, and exhausting. I believe in finding someone who you can adore and be adored by in return, without a one way dependancy rearing its head. I need the type of girl that doesn't particularly need a man around, but finds herself fascinated and smitten with me. A strong woman is not only attractive to me, but also an honor to be around, seriously. At the same time I'm at the age where games no longer appeal to me, and I've learned the hard way that men can be used just as much as women. It's gets tiresome to say the least. I do believe everyone wants to be chased romantically, in different degrees, the trick though is letting yourself put the shields down, and get caught every once and while. I hope that if you've taken the time to read all of the above, you're willing to take the leap and shoot me an email.

First dates are important, but at the same time I hate it when they come off more like a cheesy bit acting part audition. My ideal first date would be one of comfort and easiness, preferably somewhere for coffee or drinks, maybe lunch, or an early dinner. The locale should be somewhere coozy with good food and drink, that's not too loud...gotta talk ya know. I think joking about and laughing are most important (especially if it turns into one of those laugh/cry/laugh/hurts-in-the-stomach deals, man those are good), everybody deserves a good time and the last thing dating should be is a "part-time evening job".