Burned by the blast furnace of love and bruised by the tempest of lust, I used to be perpetually predisposed to look for women who look like trouble or at least, make my mother sob uncontrollably with grief whenever she would visit. There was a time, I liked my women like my kabobs—found by surprise after a drunken night out and covered with too much tahini.;o) Or maybe, I derive an impish pleasure at times by contorting inflexible minds.

I consider myself quite fortunate to have not only the memories of immensely enjoyable experiences, but profoundly painful ones that have shaped who I am and shown me that there is nothing I can’t handle. Some of the happy recollections include:

• Walking the streets of Mykonos as the dawn appears after a night of delirious dancing.
• Lighting my candle at the flame of Deepak Chopra’s wisdom.
• Hooping it up with Shawn Kemp, Ken Griffey Jr,. et. al.
• Scuba diving off the coast of Cozumel.
• Having my peers distinguish me as “The Most Fun to be with”; I put the FUN in dysFUNctional.

I love what I do professionally. Not only do I get to express my creativity on a daily basis, I am afforded the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives while creating beauty in the world.

I am certainly looking forward to the possibilities of what is yet to come in life. The prospect sharing my world with my beloved is unquestionably desirable. As I look through the profiles on POF, I am awestruck by number alluring women available. However, due to my inability to multi-task romantically, there can be only one.

I am not looking for the perfect woman. I feel Hollywood has done us all a disservice by creating this mythic image of the ideal mate, that no human could ever emulate. Yet, we have been conditioned to feel more ripped off than a Bernie Madoff investor if we settle for “less” than this imaginary lover. Thus, most of us wind-up in an uneasy consumer shopping mode, perpetually trying to trade up and get a better deal.

That said, 90% of having a great relationship is choosing the right person. If you want a cat, get a cat—don’t get a dog and try to teach it to meow. My beloved will mostly embody these traits:

• A soul filled with grace and a heart guided by love.
• My best friend
• Demonstrated commitment to personal growth/spirituality
• Fun/easy to be with.
• High level of personal integrity.
• Our chemistry can start a fire while going under water.
• Authentically known
• Loyalty

Initially, we could meet for coffee or Happy hour--something low key where each of us feels as comfortable as possible given the situation and not compelled to be a dancing bear.

As for an ideal date, any time is a good time as long as you know what to do. The venue isn’t as important as having substantive and interesting conservation replete with humor, passion and love. Followed by lustful dancing that portends the evening yet to come.