******************************* First and foremost *********************************
1) It's polite at least to respond to messages, even to say, 'No thanks.'
2) If you write to me and I'm not interested, I'll give you that courtesy without being rude.
3) Most of the messages that I get sound like this, "It's great that you're raising your kids! That is so rare for a man. My ex doesn't even stay in touch. Good luck with your search." While I appreciate compliments, I am on here to MEET someone.
4) Please, please, please, be over your ex.

This always feels like a resume, but here goes...

I am a single, divorced father raising my daughter (10) and two sons (9 and 7) on my own with NO EX-WIFE DRAMA. I served as a Lieutenant in the Navy after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy (a.k.a. Annapolis) with a B.S. in English. I work as a sales consultant, so my daytime schedule is fairly flexible. My nights consist of picking up my children from the babysitter, cooking, cleaning, homework, baths, etc., but I can get away if a babysitter is available.

I consider myself a Renaissance Man, meaning that my interests are varied and I love intellectual pursuits. Crosswords are better than Word Searches, Jeopardy is better than Wheel of Fortune, Sudoku became boring after the first ten or so. Darts, pool, movies, and books are my most common diversions. People say that I'm a good listener and often tell me their life stories within ten minutes of meeting me. I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "I can't believe I'm telling you this. I've never told anyone else. I hope you can keep a secret!" Yes. I can keep a secret. No. I don't want to be in the "friend zone."

Friends are few, acquaintances are many - true friendship is rare. I like poetry, romantic cards, and love letters - e-mails and IMs don't carry the same weight, plus I don't have time to sit on the computer all day/night IM-ing back and forth. Why not pick up the phone?

Anyway, I'm on here to find The One for me. I don't believe in "love at first sight" - usually that's more of a physical attraction than anything else - but I do believe in mutual attraction, chemistry, etc. I am looking for someone traditional, but not stuffy or prudish, someone honest and loyal, someone who is emotionally stable with a decent self-image, someone who understands that day-to-day life isn't a fairy tale.

True Love takes work, but I believe that a healthy relationship is generally happy with occasional obstacles that a couple works through together, while an unhealthy relationship is generally miserable with occasional good days that a couple struggles to find.

I've travelled and hope to do more in the future. I've been wild and crazy, but not to the extreme. I've been told that I sometimes look serious, but that's usually due to the fact that my mind is always working so I'm often just thinking. I would rather communicate than stew.

I'm half Scot, half Mexican - all American. I'm a Republican, but I'm leaning Libertarian (not Liberal!!!). Hoodrats need not apply - this is more of an attitude thing than a financial thing. since low income does not equate to "ghetto" and high income does not equate to "class." I love to laugh. I love to watch my kids play. I love life, challenges and all.

On a first date, I'd like to go out for dinner at a decent restaurant where the lights aren't bright, the music isn't loud, and the wine and food are nice but not ridiculously priced. I want to be able to have a conversation. Afterwards, a comedy club would be great - laughing with someone else is always a winner! Finally, I'd like to go have some coffee so we could laugh and talk some more. Where the night goes next is anyone's guess. Sometimes, a kiss is just what the doctor ordered. Still, I've lived long enough to know that sex doesn't make someone "easy," so I don't get judgmental.