Why do they ask if you have a car? Why not ask if you have a dishwasher or a stereo?

A little about myself: I adore my nieces in Texas. I love my dogs and it damn near killed me to have to give them to my sister in Texas. Long story there that I will share if we ever meet. I love my family and my friends, even though I want to kill some of them some of the time. I love kids, and they seem to like me, but I don't have any of my own.

I have been in love, truly in love, twice and both times I ended up with a broken heart, but here I am, trying to get back on the horse again. I have learned from past relationships...flossing is important. Laughing is essential. Perfection is impossible. Better to be single than to be in a bad relationship. Don't say anything you'll regret because you can't take it back. Finally, you must expose yourself emotionally -- it's the only way to reap love's greatest rewards.

I read books, and some don't even have pictures in them. I go on kicks where I read non-fiction and nothing else, than I switch to novels, and I am in a novel phase right now.

I love to cook. Probably every guy says that, but I really do. I have been experimenting with making my own sausage from scratch, and I just cured and smoked my own pastrami. I love good beer and am something of a beer snob. I won't drink Bud unless I am forced to and/or it would be really rude to turn it down.

Love, love music. I am going to have to upgrade to the 160 gig Ipod, and yeah I know I will never listen to all of it, but you never know when you absolutely need to hear Jelly Roll Morton or Merle Haggard or Bob Dylan or John Coltrane or Marah or Bruce Springsteen or [insert name of one of the zillion artists I have on the damn thing]. It does not happen often, but when you see a band who are at the top of their game, and the night you see them they are firing on all cylinders, there is nothing better.

I love football. My favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys. I have loved them since I was about 5 years old. I did not grow up in Texas; I grew up in NJ. Had I grown up in Dallas, I probably would have been a Giants fan due to my contrarian nature.

I love going for long bike rides, hours at a time, but don't like running. I love used book stores (the Montclair Book Center is a particular favorite), used record stores (Vintage Vinyl), and old bars with beers that I have not tried yet.

I love seeing the sunrise; I love sleeping in. I love getting a good night's sleep; I love staying up all night talking, kissing, doing stuff. I love an expertly prepared meal; I love grabbing a hot dog from a cart.

Now for the potentially disqualifying factors: I am 43 and I am in the middle of a divorce. If that scares you off (or if anything else I have written sends you running in the other direction) I understand and thanks for reading.

I show up unshaven, bleary eyed and wildly drunk, shouting obscenities; you show up an hour late, call me by your ex's name and tell me how much your mother hates me...

Just kidding. I wanted to see if you actually read this far