My ideal man is 5'10" tall, dark hair, blue eyes, fair, thin, and youthful-looking with Irish features...that's a description of my father, and he was, of course, my role model for men. Having said that, I will happily trade this physical ideal for a man who shares the same values and sensibilities as I do.

I like to take long walks with no particular destination in mind. I enjoy cooking my Italian family recipes. I dig indie films, art galleries, live theatre (but not musicals), music at cozy venues or wild concerts. Dance for pleasure and exercise. Not athletic, but a true klutz. I do adore the Jersey shore --I'm not a swimmer, but I have an affinity for sand. There's something compelling about being at the ends of the earth. I desire the prospect of lively company to explore unknown parts with me. My Bucket List: Italy, the American West, Paris, South America. I enjoy reading political blogs and The New York Times travel reportage. Fave novelists: Austen and Hardy. Not a big TV watcher; mostly tune in to Turner Classic Movies. A serious Mets fan. NOT a fan of shopping malls, however. Eclectic tastes in music: Sinatra, Green Day, the Beatles, Ella Fitzgerald, Feist, Django R., the Doors, Nellie McKay. I have nine graduate credits in Shakespearean studies which does not allow one to cut the line at Stop 'N Shop.

As the parent of a son with autism, I was very involved with recreation for the disabled for many years, and I presently manage a baseball team for adults with disabilities. Volunteering is important to me; making other people happy is essential.

I enjoy equal parts of chilling out and being active. A pleasant Saturday night is a home-cooked meal, a bottle of red wine, a game of Scrabble, and thou beside me (but please don't sing in the wilderness; it disturbs the critters).

The men who meet me invariably describe me as funny, smart, and opinionated. Are YOU funny, smart, and opinionated? Then we may be match! A sense of adventure in and out of bed is always delightful. I do so love those late night phone conversations when you talk about nothing in particular. I dearly love to laugh out loud. Are you ready and willing to fly a kite with me? Age is only a number -- I'm still 19 inside my head. The secret to staying young is to act immature...LOL. Energy level, not age, is what's important.

While I appreciate the usefulness of modern technology, there is no substitute for
conversation. If your primary means of communication is texting, you're not the man for me.

Rather than dinner, I'd prefer something casual in a setting that might encourage conversation. A park or a quiet tearoom would be pleasant venues.