As for the list: I am 54, unattached, I drink moderately in appropriate situations (that is I drink beer when playing in my tavern-based poker league but a bottle of whiskey can last years in my cupboard – the beer in my fridge has been undisturbed for over a month.), I do not do drugs (though I did when young), am disease free, and live with my 15 year old daughter. I believe in taking care of each other.

Eventually I want meet someone who is glad to see me. I want someone to place my arms around. I want someone who sees something special behind all my many faults. I want someone who can understand my interests even when she doesn’t share them. I want someone who would come to care about my children. I want someone that stands up for herself and knows who she is. I want someone who can be teased and knows it comes from love. I want someone with whom to share my victories, defeats, and sometimes even my shame. I want someone who laughs and whose smile is beautiful to me. I want the joy of putting my hand on her hip in the night and waking to see the quiet loveliness of her sleeping face. I want someone who returns affection. I want someone in whom I can place total trust. I want someone who takes life seriously and laughs about it. I want someone who wants these things from me. I want someone who matters – and I want someone who wants me.

I don’t need all this immediately – I am glad to start with a cup of coffee, a beer, or a glass of wine, to just spend a little time and enjoy ourselves. See a movie, take a day trip, maybe play golf, or poker, or teach me to dance.

For a first meeting I am happy meeting for coffee or a beer.

For a first date I would like to do something moderately active that allows lots of conversation. A visit to a park, short sightseeing trip with a stop for ice cream. Maybe golf, if its a twosome.