I'm a good-hearted genuine kind of guy. I enjoy excitement and down time to relax. Can't have one without the other! I think it's important to enjoy staying in as much as going out. I'm more of the type that likes to spend time with friends in an easy-going way, like a good meal, and hanging out/chatting rather than going to some busy place filled with people (aka, a bar/club). I enjoy having conversations about anything--science, philosophy, technology, games, politics--you name it. I think the enjoyment of something has more to do with the company I'm with than the activity itself. But I am always up for discovering a new place and trying new things!

A good sense of humor is very important! I'm an optimistic person at heart, but when I joke around, I do so dryly about things sometimes--often with a hint of cynicism. One might say a sort of "British" sense of humor. Sarcasm is common when I joke around with people I'm friends/comfortable with. I'm not always sarcastic, but I hate to say it--if you can't keep up with sarcasm from time to time without needing obvious "I'm joking" comments from me, it's probably not going to work out. What's the point of using witty humor when someone needs to be told that you're joking?

My friends and especially my siblings are very important to me. I spend time with them multiple times a week. I think it's important to be close to my family. It's not uncommon to meet with my siblings in the area for "board game nights," and just do the things we did when we were kids. Monopoly for the win! :)

I think I'm considered a scientist. I know, scary, huh? I'm not a nerd. Well, unless you're into nerds... ;) I really enjoy what I do.

Being active is important to me, whether it's keeping with a regular gym schedule 5 days a week, going on a nice day hike somewhere around the bay area, a long bike ride, or a quick jog around the neighborhood. I take care of myself physically and expect someone I'm with to do the same. NOTE: This does NOT mean you must be thin! I believe how people treat and take care of themselves speaks volumes on their outlook on life. Plus I think it's sad that one of the leading causes of death in the country can be fixed with proper diet and exercise.

I'm not one for the bars or clubs, and I don't really drink all that much. I do enjoy cooking--and cooking with someone else is fun. Cooking FOR someone else is even better... ;) Unrelated yet still important, strict religions are pretty much a no-go for me.

I'm a firm believer that for someone to be "attractive," they must have the personality to reinforce their appearance. One without the other just doesn't do it in my book. You don't have to have supermodel looks, but please don't have a supermodel's personality.

My sister and brother in law gave me words of relationship wisdom. The secret to a healthy relationship is finding someone who has the same level of laziness as you do. I think it's the best advice I've gotten thus far!

An ideal first date--with someone I haven't met--would be finding a comfortable place to go and just talk. Because if you have nothing to talk about, there doesn't seem to be much of a point to anything. A warm beverage or a nice walk tend to do just fine. I'd leave the more exciting ideas for later.