Some clarity to start out with. While I have chosen "dating", if it's with the right person I would certainly much prefer to have a longterm relationship. Enough said.

I, too, wish to live life to the fullest. However, my definition of the "fullest" seems to mean somewhat different than to other folks. "Fullest" to me means someone to share my time with, who I can be myself around and feel at ease with. The most breath-taking thing in world can seem mundane when done alone or with the wrong person. Yet the simplist thing can be very exhilerating with right person.

I believe that I am a romantic. I like walking hand-in-hand, whether it be down an old country road or in a busy mall. I like laying together in a hammock, candlelit dinners, laying out and admiring the stars.

I don't do bars and am really not much of a partier. I do enjoy social gatherings and activities and events. It's really nice to invite several freinds over, talk, play board games or cards.

I'm not a "bad boy" or a player. Those two things are much too empty and lonely. I know 'cause I was there during one period of my life. To share, trust, be trusted, be needed and wanted are so much beneficial.

I'm not the most exciting man to ever live, but I am fun. And, contrary to the seriousness of this profile, I do have a very strong sense of humor. This is just kind of important to me.

My freinds say that I'm pretty quiet and sometimes shy. I guess they're right. I prefer listening to talking. I am a very positive thinking person and really don't care to be around those who not or those who live in the past or think the world has done them wrong. Life has dealt you, me and everyone else bad times, as well as good times. None of us can do anything about what has happened. My goal is to make today as good as, or better, than yesterday.

If I possess some of the qualities and/or traits that you are hoping to find, I would really like to hear from you. If not, I thank you for stopping by and I wish you the very best in your search for that special someone.

I differentiate between a first meeting and a first date. A first meeting is just to see if we would be interested in an actual date. For that, I feel a small quiet coffee shop type place or small quiet bar. There are some light activities that would be enjoyable too. This would allow us to talk and learn about each other and see if there is any mutual grounds for a building a lasting freindship. It's a little hard to talk at a movie or loud event. If everything has gone well here, then we move on to a first date.

To me, it would be nice if the first date lasted the whole day. Start out meeting at a little establishment for a light breakfast and easy conversation. Then move onto just going for a walk, somewhere unusual maybe. Follow that up with a "main" event. Could be playing golf, tennis, flea market, feeding ducks, going to a zoo, sea aquarium, a grandkids sporting event or just a long drive to no where in particular. Then maybe going to my home and fixing a meal together. On the stove or the grill. Just getting to know each other more. Talking about our lives and our hopes/aspirations, disappointments and regrets. Followed by another nice walk out here in the country. Finish it off, laying out back in the double hammock with a glass of wine, talking, laughing and admiring the night sky. And discussing what we might like to do on our next date.