Lately I've been a huge fan of appreciating nature. I love hiking to an alpine lake on a really hot day and jumping in. Other things that keep me sane and centered are playing classical guitar, playing freeze tag with my son, exploring new places, travelling to other countries, working out - LA Fitness is a second home to me, playing racquetball, seeing movies (I like sci-fi, comedy, period dramas - Sense and Sensibility), going to live shows.

I am not ambivalent about music, I know what I like and don't, but I like a lot. I listen to classical, baroque, alternative, folk, rock, jazz, blues, indie, some hip hop/R&B. Lately I've been listening to a fair amount of Radiohead, Tool, the Beatles, Django Reinhardt, Elliot Smith, and Bach. And thanks to my sister I recently discovered Devotchka. I don't like new country or hardcore rap, sorry gangstas.

I admit, I am a sucker for the Harry Potter books. I usually like to read any book before seeing the movie. I saw Twilight with my best friend who is a man. I never did read that book. I like to play games. Not mind games. I'm talking board games like scrabble, clue, cribbage, and boggle. If you can beat me in boggle I'll buy you dinner.

I am not a passive traveler. I do enjoy kicking back on the beach for a day of margaritas, reading, and body surfing, but the next day I want to go into the jungle to seek adventure. I like to talk to the locals and understand their customs. When I go to the ocean, I get lost in tide pools, and must climb to the top of the tallest rock. I once explored Merlin's cave in Cornwall, England in pitch black with nothing but the occasional flash of my camera to guide me. I want to take a Nile River cruise to the Valley of the Kings. When I do these things I become really giddy, hopefully in an infectious way. It would be cool to find someone who could keep up with me.

First date = keep it simple. Get coffee and a bagle or biscotti if you prefer, maybe a drink.

This isn't The Bachelor. I'm not going to plan a romantic trip to Paris, have brunch on the River Seine, followed by a wine tasting at a premier vinyard, then a walk under the inverted pyramid at the Louvre to find out if it really does hold the secrets to the holy grail; although that does sound like a really good time.