It was just a year ago that devastating wildfires hit southern California…again. Just as I was about to take those fire pictures down from my profile, they returned. This time about 1000 homes burned down, half of them in a single mobile home park. These are some of my recent fires. I hope those who lost so much will recover as quickly and completely as possible.

I'm not a fire specialist. It just happens that fires became news after the elections and my work takes me to such places.

Here are some more clues to my life -

Outdoorsy - hiking, rock climbing, camping, hanging out with desert bighorns, relaxing at an oasis or hot springs are all enjoyable. But I can also navigate the big city too. It’s like a different kind of wilderness in the urban jungles.

A musician (but I have a day job and rarely perform these days) – mostly playing octave mandolin (one octave below mandolin, also called an Irish bouzouki).

Politically left of center - but of course in the ultra conservative atmosphere that has blanketed this country that really means “moderate”. In other words, when it comes to issues of war, gay marriage, death penalty, choice, and general compassion for those who are not one of “us”, I’m pretty far away from the views of talk show screamers and Dub-yuh Bush yet I don’t align myself with knee-jerk reactionary lefties who have forgotten how to think for themselves.

Love and sex – I’ll reveal more on this later - we haven’t even met yet! Let’s just say that my faithful heart is not easily shocked by whatever you bring to the table. After all, without understanding and an open mind, how would I really get to know you? Communication, openness, and trust are needed for the best intimate relationships.

Money – if you’re looking for a big mansion on the hill and a guy with bags of cash for you, well don’t go looking at us divorced guys. I am well-established in my career, respected by my peers, and secure in my work but my life is more one of passion for my work and living than the constant pursuit of big bucks. Living is not purchasable.

Health and fitness – oh sheezzz now you caught me. I haven’t been to the gym in a while but I'll get back in there soon. Despite that, I do stay fit and people often tell me that I look a lot younger than my years. I can out-hike and out-climb most guys my age. My work and my outdoor interests keep my cardio up but I also know to relax when the time is right.

Outlook – wasn’t it Einstein who said that creativity is more important that intelligence? I like to be creative and open-minded. I have my opinions but I also think that most issues are less black-and-white and more various shades of grey and color. I believe in being good to people without looking for something in return. I can associate with people of differing opinions without getting bent out of shape. My close friends range from lesbians to church-going Christians. I just tend to gravitate toward people with interests and passions. I just got cable TV and am still amazed at the hundreds of channels of nothingness on it. I hope no one ever straps me to a couch and forces me to listen to laugh-tracks or watch non-reality "reality" TV all weekend. That would be mean.

That should be enough clues for now. If this sounds interesting to you, say hi.

What? I thought this would be the part where I describe what I'm looking for. Well, I'll just do a little of that and then talk about first dates.

To keep it brief, I'm looking for someone who is compatible with my interests. I don't care as much about the color of their hair, or their height or race as I do qualities like kindness and understanding, that they take care of themselves both physically and mentally, and that they have a spirit of curiosity, humor, and adventure.

Creativity is a big plus, as is being sexually compatible. I think good sex, whether just nice cuddly sleepy vanilla sex or something new, maybe a little adventurous, is important in most good relationships. Being in a rut is no fun.

A few types that might catch my eye include artists, musicians, journalists, outdoorsy or athletic women, photographers, or anyone who is passionate about their interests. But that’s just a few.

If they have very right-wing political views, or are “U-Haul” desperate to get married or make a baby, or would be offended by my normal-acting lesbian friends, or are racist or unkind, are overly critical and suspicious, or cling to self-destructive addictions, or have no interest in the world beyond your front door, this will probably not work.

Now on to the question of first dates.

I don't mind the meet-at-Starbucks introduction at all but that's not really a "first date", is it? So after talking or meeting long enough to become trusting and comfortable enough with each other, I think a first date might have something to do with our personalities.

The movie thing is fine if it is a movie that reveals our interest like, maybe some indy thing. But if my date is outdoorsy, a hike to a waterfall could be fun. If my date is a musician, then we could go to a musical event with the option of whipping out our acoustic instruments and sharing a few tunes or songs.

I would not be likely to start with some loud dance club scene. Although I have eclectic musical tastes, I'm not into the hip-hop/rap/contemporary disco scene (some world music dance stuff is pretty nice though), and more importantly, I'd like to be able to talk to and get to know my partner.

Rock climbing could be a fun first date (I'm can be a good and very safe teacher). Driving to the mountains to eat in some hideaway restaurant or going to a friend's photo or art exhibit opening are possibilities too.

Or even just people watching at the Abbey (some of my friends go there) during a quiet Sunday brunch, or on a noisy Friday or Saturday night if we can break away to someplace quieter after a while.

Going to the current photo exhibits at the Skirball Center could work too.

There are probably a b’zillion other possibilities but what matters is that we just hang out and get to know one another for a while.