THE BASICS: An east-coast transplant by way of New Orleans, Africa, and points in between. I'm very easy to talk to and people tend to feel at ease in my presence. I can be very silly, sometimes goofy, and a touch sarcastic. I'm an easygoing guy with a good heart. I believe in honesty, compassion, deep contemplation and on-the-spot intuition. I'm not a pushover or one to let others take advantage. It's just that I believe in seeing the humor and beauty that life constantly offers up to us. I value people who have these same qualities. I love all sorts of music (I play guitar), cooking, enjoying time with friends, movies, anything outdoors (running, mountain biking, hiking, camping, sailing), salsa dancing, reading, movies, museums, and hanging out at the beach.

LOOKING FOR ... :I'm looking for a genuine person who is intelligent, funny, curious, and loves to eat food that I cook. There's nothing like the feeling when two people really "get" each other. I don't know exactly how to describe it except to say that when you look at that person, you know you're home. A love of music, travel, and being outdoors are all pluses (but by no means requirements). Finally, I'm looking for someone with an incurable case of 'it's all going to work out fine - itus'. Life is just so much easier when you approach it with hope and optimism. If you can laugh at yourself (and occasionally at me), take life with a grain of salt, and have tendency to see the up side of things then we're off to a great start!

WORK: I've held many jobs in my life. From street musician to brain surgeon (ok not brain surgeon). Now I work in education; both teaching and research. I love what I do and that it allows me to travel for work and pleasure.

MUSIC: I'll listen to any music as long as it's good! Yerba Buena, Eleni Mandell, Yonder Mountain String Band, Rebirth Brass Band, Prokofiev, John Cale, Shirley Horne, The Meters, Albert Colins, Muddy Waters, Amiee Mann, JonBrion, etc. etc. etc. I love reading. Past favorites include: On Love, Blink, Life of Pi, Death of Vishnu, Still Life with a Woodpecker, Milagro Beanfield War, Catch 22, The Idiot, The Subteraneans, Where the Wild Things Are, and anything by Pema Chodron.

RELIGION: I wonder why there is no box for Eclectic Agnostic under religion? I’m Jewish by birth, went to a Quaker school, spent time in churches and mosques, and practice Buddhist meditation. I draw on ideas from many traditions in my own spiritual life and am open to people of all faiths, or none.

P.S. I'm often confused about my age. I don't feel it and often refer to my license as a reminder when asked. I'm not delusional (and have no desire to be 21 again!), but I do value honesty. It is my real age (chronologically speaking at least). So there!

What everyone really wants to know ... Yes I did make that pie!

Plastic surgery and a Slurpee. Sorry, just had to slip that in, this being LA and all. It really depends on the person I’m with. I'm happy to make the first move and suggest something, but if you'd like to choose or decide on something together that's great too. What's really important is that we have some time to get to know each other.