I will not reply to emails from those without pictures on their profiles. That means you're either married, on the lam, or not technically savvy enough to own a digital camera or know how to upload your pictures. Honestly I think the last one offends me the most. ;) You need to have a clear, close face shot, either on your profile or attached in your email. It's only fair, as I do the same. Quid pro quo...

I was raised in the country and in the South (Richmond), and now I’m a car-less city girl. I enjoy all that city life has to offer, but I quite like to escape the concrete jungle on weekends. I’m very much a girly girl – I love the color pink, I’m scared of bugs, I love a chivalrous man, and I *love* to dress up for dates (when venue appropriate, of course).

So many people say they are just as comfortable in jeans and t-shirt as they are dressed to the nines. Well, let me be the first to says I’m *not*! Heels can be painful, but oh so worth it. I love my jeans and a t-shirt, but I *really* like dressing up. Making every effort to look as attractive as I can on a date makes me comfortable.

I’m extremely loyal, sensitive, nurturing, and kind to animals and waiters. I LOVE dogs and have to stop and pet nearly all that I encounter. Bonus points if you own your own! I’m thinking of getting one of my own, despite the menagerie that would create when added to my 2 cats. I love surprises, and I’m easily surprised. I love to be scared, and I’m easily scared (I’m talking about movies and haunted houses. Hope my squeals don’t embarrass you.). I love it if you know about wine as I'm apt to pick the one with the prettiest label.

Paradoxes: I love the beach and being near the water in general, and yet I cannot swim. Yes, I’ve taken lessons. I’m aquatically learning-disabled, apparently. I love raisins, but I hate raisins in my food. I started college majoring in Art and ending up majoring in Mathematics. I’m quite independent, and yet I love to be treated like a lady. Some feminists in this town have ruined men from practicing the art of issuing compliments, opening doors, and just being gallant. Ha-rumph! Please feel free to be your gentlemanly self with me.

My quirks: Friends have called me a Grammar Nazi (funny for a Jewish girl, huh?). Mastery of the English language is critical to me – vocabulary, sentence structure, punctuation – it’s fun for me! It’s like a mathematical equation, as grammar can be quite formulaic. I solve word problems for fun. I consider myself to have a pretty extensive vocabulary, but I LOVE it when someone introduces a new word to me!


Things I've never done, but have always wanted to: horseback riding in Rock Creek Park, bike along the Potomac (I don’t have a bike. I also don’t have a horse.), Luray Caverns, visit the White House, take a balloon ride, go to the Spy Museum (I hear it's not all that, but I need to see that for myself, right?).

Things that fascinate me: midgets, magic tricks, ultra-conservatives, and bigots.

Things that scare me: clowns, improv troupes, ultra-conservatives, and bigots.

Favorite movies: Princess Bride, Legally Blonde, Clerks, Team America: World Police, Borat, Dirty Dancing, The Notebook (told you I was girly). I love to watch the cooking channel and Animal Planet. I find it difficult to change the channel when I happen upon Discovery Health. I could have oceanic footage on my tv all day.

Things I love to do: cooking is a relaxing, artistic outlet for me; dining out - I have an adventurous palate – eclectic ethnic cuisines, spicy foods, and trying new and unusual delicacies; shopping when it’s for the sake of shopping – nothing more frustrating than trying to find something specific; attending comedy shows, baseball games, live music, and the theater (I am a huge Renthead!); visiting the zoo, aquariums, amusement parks (love roller coasters), wine/jazz bars, and just about any waterside city; activities: ice skating, roller skating (not blading), putt-putt (it's been too long though!), bowling, shooting pool, and going to Starbucks to enjoy an over-priced yet worth it designer coffee where I can indulge in one of my favorite activities – people watching. I can do that all day. If you enjoy people watching, you will never be bored. One time I literally saw the blind leading the blind! Sometimes I make up my own stories about people passing by, but sometimes the reality is more entertaining. I even enjoy reality television shows. It’s okay if you don’t share that guilty pleasure of mine. I especially love the competitive ones where at the end, someone’s dream comes true, e.g. American Idol, Top Chef, Project Runway. I love a happy ending.

Wow, so many of you guys say it doesn't matter what we do on a first date. Cool - let's go get our nails done and watch chick flicks!

If the venue truly does matter to you on a first date - dinner and enough chemistry to not want the night to end after dessert.

It’s probably quite ironic for someone with an online profile, but I actually have little inclination for extended online communication. And this is just a means to an end, right? We’re here to meet people! And every time I do, I go into it with a very hopeful attitude that this will be a great outing, no matter what. After all, you never know…