I'm family and career oriented with lots of life and love left in me. I have three biological sons (16, 14 and 10) and an adopted daughter (almost 4) plus a good job that I enjoy (I work at Hallmark downtown.) In January 2008, my life was turned upside-down when my wife died suddenly of acute leukemia. I'm managing to keep it together, but its really difficult. Although I would like to marry again someday, I'd like to start with getting to know someone that I could spend time with periodically. I don't have time for hobbies right now but I used to like to play city-league basketball. I'm really an active person. I started running in the last few months, to get a little alone time at first, but found I really enjoy it. Before life got so hard, we were in the middle of a total backyard landscaping project building walls and terraced patios. Long ago (before kids) I used to like live music, rock and blues mostly but I like most types if its good (jazz, reggae, classical, anything really.) I like to read and usually have a couple of books going. I prefer simulating conversation about things that matter (or at least matter to whomever I'm with) over topics like sports or pop culture, though I do like college basketball and Chiefs football. I like to learn new things and recently started to learn Italian with Pimsleur audio CD's (anybody know it? I think it's great.) I aspire to raise good human beings and to be one myself. My top priority is meeting my children's needs. I also have dreams for my company and my career. I really like ideas. I'm constantly trying to better understanding how the world works and then see if I can't make it better. I gravitate to the big picture, which can be frustrating as the world in general, and our country in particular, seem to me to be in dire straits. Still, I remain hopeful. I get sad sometimes about losing my wife, but not bitter. I appreciate beauty, and goodness and think there is lots of it around. I like highbrow culture like the symphony or art galleries, but I also like to take my kids fishing, kayaking, camping and biking (the kind you peddle.) I am trustworthy and loyal, more idealistic than pragmatic yet I'm practical enough to know what's doable. I believe in moderation and tend to be reserved, though I'm not shy and will tell you my opinion if you ask it.
A couple of you have questioned my listing "often" for drinking. Here's the deal. I drink coffee in the morning, but not too much or it makes me feel bad and beer or wine in the evening, but not too much or it too makes me feel bad. Typically I drink one or two bottles of beer,usually one, rarely three and sometimes none. I really do believe in moderation.

A good first date for me is something casual and fun like walking around at an arts & crafts fair, or meeting at a wine tasting event.