First impressions are difficult to create in a few short words about one's hobbies and interests. Sort of like writing a resume for the ultimate job. I tend to think most people use their instincts based on pictures and maybe whether there are common interests, but we'll give this a shot.

I'm best described as someone who loves the outdoors and loves to stay active. I took up running last year as a way to add some cross-training to my routine, and have not looked back. I'm not super competitive, but do enjoy the runner's high. I did the mountain biking thing for a while, then turned to road cycling after realizing I'm more about endurance than jumping stumps. Completing the Ride to Conquer Cancer last year was a super thrill and an experience I won't soon forget.

Not that I always need to be on the go, however. Summer months means heading to a campsite with friends, getting out the canoe or kayak and paddling around the lake, or even just going up to the family cottage and hanging out on the dock. In the winter, I enjoy cross-country skiing or heading to Mont Tremblant for a weekend of downhill skiing.

While not originally from Toronto, I've totally come to love the city scene and the fact that there's such a great mix of restaurants and cafes around the next corner. Living in the west end means having access to High Park for a stroll or rollerblade along the waterfront trail. I'm no slouch in the kitchen, and consider a night at home throwing together a new concoction and sharing a bottle of wine with friends to be as fun as a night on the town. You might get the sense from reading all this that my tastes are pretty varied. I think that probably summarizes my "resume" and hope to connect with others who have an appreciation for the same.

Assuming we're talking about a first blind date here, I think the key is just getting acquainted to see whether there's a sense of chemistry or not. But since the point here, ostensibly, is to sell our profiles, I'd suggest a second or third date that involves going to Toronto island or the Beach for some rollerblading, followed by dinner on a patio and stroll along the boardwalk. For the more adventurous, maybe getting a couple kayaks from Harbourfront Centre and paddling over to the island. But to state the obvious, the experience is less important than having the right company.