Communication, trust and attraction are the beginning of any relationship...friends to intimate partners. I am new here and will just say that I do not expect anything, but hope for some good things. Myself: Open, honest, sensitive and caring...but also, with the right lady can be sensual and erotic. Intelligence attracts me, and the ability to express yourself is important. NO - DRUGS / DRINKING / SMOKING - nothing wrong with these, just a preference. A social drinker is fine, I personally am done with the "party-scene". I still enjoy going to a bar and shooting pool or spending time with friends, but going "to drink" is not interesting anymore. I do not mind getting to know someone through email - bailey1x is my ID at Yahoo - feel free to IM me there.

Now - I understand "traditional" roles, and how that scenario can be desired, and even perfectly fit a particular couple. I have the ability to appreciate a woman in all her roles in life, along with every detail of her emotional, intellectual and physical traits. I adore the feminine side of the most independent woman, and the challenges that she will happily bring to a relationship. I enjoy the process of meeting someone new and all the feelings that accompany this new adventure...

BUT, after reading many of the profiles on POF, I unfortunately think the following information is needed on my profile - I am just trying to let the genuine, intelligent and sincere women know that a guy like me appreciates and values your ability to present yourself in a fashion that is actually mature, meaningful and attractive. Unlike the following traits I have noticed way too many times in ladies profiles... These are just some honest observations of the shallowness, self-importance and misplaced arrogance that some women have accepted to be the "norm" - Please find this to be a simple NO THANK YOU from myself to you, if your profile has any of the following characteristics...

The following are a few things that, I personally, do not entertain as reasonable or acceptable when it comes to meeting another person... I am NOT competing for you against the many men on POF. If you base your personal worth on the numbers of men emailing and listing you on their "favorites"?, then you have become delusional. I am NOT here to win a prize or score "points" with anyone, the whole notion that I would be asked to persuade you with pandering or ego-boosting compliments is absurd. If you have REQUIREMENTS of me, other than being a decent human being, such as anything to do with status, finances or ability to "spoil" you...well, that is a childish way to conduct yourself. Just being an attractive woman does not excuse your responsibilty of bringing something of substance as a person to the relationship. You are NOT entitled to anything, nothing, ZERO...you have to earn respect, attraction and interest from another person.

The women who have the self-confidence, intellect and emotional stability - along with the physical beauty - realize the difference between the "I will do anything for you / say anything you want" type of man verses an actual real - genuine man.

Although, the above may sound a bit negative - my personality is very easy going, non-judgmental and accepting of all people. I am aware of my good characteristics, along with the many flaws, which allows me to be honest with myself, and you, as a person. Oddly enough, sometimes those little "flaws" and "quarks" we find in one and other become endearing and actually strengthen the relationship. As a couple - TOGETHER accepting and helping each other with our weaknesses and strengths creates a wonderful bond - one that is intimately unique and specifically OURS.

Kids - I have spent a large part of my adulthood helping raise my 2 nephews. I lived with them for 8 years - one was 3 years old / the other was a new-born. I have my "parent card", yet no children of my own. Having a family interests me, but is yet to be decided - that decision will come with the right person. Helping raise them put me many years behind where society would expect a 39 year old man to be - but, I do not regret 1 second of the time I was with them - and honestly feel blessed to be a large part of their lives, then and now. They taught me unconditional love, which I thought I understood, but did not until they showed me the true meaning.

I definitely do not subscribe to "in the box" thinking - I value traditional roles and values, but approach things from a more open and free mindset. I love laughing and being an idiot, but you can dress me up, and I can conduct myself accordingly, for the most upscale event. I have seen life from the "rich" to the "poor" - "well-to-do" to "have-nots" - "rehab" to "the country club" --- and found that there are people with integrity, enlightenment and love in ALL of these groups.

I am interested in a long-term relationship, yet "dating" seemed appropriate for my profile, since it is a necessary evil along the path to finding something long lasting...

Two questions - no right answer - just curious....

- Windows open on a cool Fall evening - you and I laying in a bed of blankets and pillows - intertwined together as we talk for hours, or sit in silence - happy and content to be just there together - Am I the only person that thinks this sounds perfect?

- If you honestly LOVED me, and I proposed to you - as I lay my soul out for you in words and feelings - and offer you, as the engagement band, a wooden ring I had carved - would you, or could you, say yes? -- and would you have the ability to show your friends and family the ring, while honestly being - Happy, Content, Proud etc... even if ridiculed by those same people? -- would you have the inner-strength to confront societies expectations and allow US to decide OUR own path?

Meeting each other - not so sure I would call it a "date" - anywhere outside or casual inside setting, where both people can be comfortable - just talking and getting to know each other...then WE decide where things go and in what direction. I am not into "wine and dine" - I will never need, or desire, to attempt to win the affection of a lady with anything materialistic. I am me - what I have to offer is more along the lines of emotional, intellectual and physical.