At 42, I do look my age. With enough gray sprinkled in my hair, and quite a bit more on my chin, we can pretend that it impresses as distinguished. I am more dark complected than many - although it may simply be a really great tan. I stand 5'11" but have recently been made aware that I may only be 5'10 and one half.

Self-employed, I've run a modest direct marketing enterprise for nearly 20 years. I've known both great success, and great failure, with the venture that has kept me fed, and challenged, for my entire adult life. Although I am far closer to the latter at the moment, I am grateful for the humility that entails.

Immodestly, I'll suggest that I rarely find myself not to be the most intelligent one in the room - perhaps a statement more to the company I've kept than to my blessings. I've also yet to know the conversation that I could not engage or keep my end of.

As a bonus, I don't kick puppies or old ladies and have been known to share my Brussels sprouts.

Without limitation, qualities I enjoy beside me include:

- Gentleness for the comfort given;
- Thoughtfulness for the inspiration to reciprocate;
- Honesty for the courage required at times;
- Acceptance for the open-mindedness, wisdom, and grace it reveals;
- Optimism, though without imprudent blindness, for the hope it inspires and the possibilities it promises;
- Humor, and the sense of it, for the laughter they provide;
- Intelligence for the interesting conversations that we’ll share;
- Creativity for the insight into what I lack often;
- Excellent communication, in all of its forms, for the reciprocation, direction, and insight it affords;
- Abilities to receive, and offer affirmations, gifts, acts of kindness and service, touch - all for the love it communicates and grows;
- Height of less than 6 feet or a willingness to allow me to borrow your heels; and
- A bit of mischief and irreverence for the challenge, diversion, and levity afforded.

Strengths I respect most in the people I include in my life are not limited to:

- Self confidence for the insecurities it absents;
- Patience for the peace and calm rewarded;
- Independence for the freedom and direction it allows; and
- Life mileage for the invaluable wisdom gained.

Traits that I am hopeful you would appreciate alongside you:

- Intelligence, despite far too many brain cells executed;
- Independence, despite the many times we’ll be hopelessly lost yet refusing to ask for directions;
- Attentiveness, despite its application to trivia at times, and far too many people, places, projects, and things at others;
- Transparency, along with the openness, communication, and accountability defined by the word; and
- Occasional bursts of eloquence, written and uttered, despite a tendency toward verbosity and over-communication;

The imperfections that I am hopeful you’ll accept are not nearly limited to:

- Snoring, but not loud enough to keep you awake;
- Working way more than normal people, but with a fairly balanced life despite the insane hours;
- Dents, dings, and more than a few bags acquired over life’s miles, and earned somehow without acquiring the wisdom noted in you;
- An aversion to television but that will give you sole possession of the remote;
- Graying hair but remember we can pretend it offers distinction and the illusion of wisdom; and
- …you didn’t really think I was going to ‘fess to all of them right off the bat did you?

Now that you know a little about me, perhaps you’d be kind enough to tell me something about yourself, what’s important to you, and what more you'd like to discover about me. I look forward to hearing from you.

On a first date, I'm most comfortable meeting someplace quiet for conversation and discovery while sharing coffee, drinks, or a meal.