Growing up on the south side of Chicago leaves an indelible mark on survivors. We are liberal, but not naive, street smart, but not cynical, and accepting, but not unobservant. We have a pragmatic streak that runs a mile wide and the gumption to do what must be done. Some of my best friendships are still the ones forged there.

It is hard to believe that I moved to LA almost 15 years ago.

Over the years, I have had some wonderful opportunities and have tried many things. Some have succeeded and some have not. I have written books, won several minor book awards and written a magazine column for six years. I have performed stand-up comedy at the Hollywood Improv and given corporate speeches on three continents. I have taught in the graduate programs at USC and Loyola Marymount. I have managed groups as large as 100 people and now enjoy supervising only myself. And for the past couple of years, I have enjoyed getting a pilot's license and flying around in small planes.

The best adventure has been parenthood. I have a wonderful six year old son who is an absolute hoot to be around...except when he isn't.

You've probably noticed that my marital status is listed as "separated." You can read that as "life is more complicated than I had anticipated." I am separated, and living in the same house with my wife and son. After many years of growing apart and months of long and arduous conversations, we decided to remain housemates, but to separate as a couple in order to provide a stable environment for our son. I am truly here with her knowledge and consent. It is a sad commentary on economic and political reality right now, but the primary reason that we are not divorced is that I would lose my health insurance. There are more details, of course, and I'm happy to discuss them with you honestly if we get to know each other. But, just to reassure you, there's no drama here. If there were, there would be no stable home. Also, I'm not the sneaking around dishonest type. I'm also not looking for a polyamorous lifestyle (although I am not offended if you are but this is complicated enough for me already).

For ten years, I've been self employed as a management consultant, writer, teacher, and speaker.

I enjoy a wide variety of music including classical, baroque, early, chamber, rock, folk, world, jazz, and other varieties that I don't even know the name of.

I love all sorts of food, particularly spicy stuff. Korean BBQ, sushi, and Vietnamese are all great. Mediterranean, middle eastern, and South American can be fun too. But I'm also happy with good old American comfort food. I guess that there's not much I won't eat. (In Malaysia I even tried durian...and liked it. :-)

I love to cook, and am reasonably good at it. I'm even better at it when cooking with friends and drinking a good bottle of wine while doing it.

(Wow, the first draft of this is rather humorless. Doesn't really capture me well. I'll have to work on it.)

Something simple. A cup of coffee, tea or a drink. Just an opportunity to get acquainted and see if there is any connection. No need to rush things.