In search of a guy I just plain love to be with (and vice versa). Could you be him? Read on and see what you think:

I recently moved back to NJ after 7 years in NYC. Jersey is much more "me" (in the sense that it is more casual, laidback, spacious, green, friendly, clean...). I still like going out at night in NYC now and then... these days it's more about going to a specific place for a specific reason and less about going out on the town and hitting the hotspots. I'd much rather go out for a nice dinner or to a casual neighborhood pub than anywhere that's a scene.

The stuff that's keeping me busy lately: getting settled into a new job (was laid off a few months ago and was so lucky to have lots of freelance work to tide me over!), volunteering as an ESL literacy tutor, being a "foster home" for a litter of kittens that need adopting (know anyone who wants a really cute kitten??), taking long walks around Englewood (for exercise, as well as quiet time to think and/or zone out). I'm sort of working on a screenplay (discipline is such a tricky thing!). At some point, I'd like to start working on a master's degree. Maybe *after* the recession?!

I consider myself really lucky for having a close family and a good-size circle of old friends. We're all incredibly supportive of one another (for example, we do charity walks for the things that affect each other's families; we cheer each other on and encourage each other to accomplish our various career/life goals; etc). It's a pretty cool thing. Never any silly drama. And the best part, of course, is that we have fun, we get each other's jokes, we have years of memories to laugh about, etc. It's good.

Stuff I love and will never turn down if I don't have to: going to the movies, Europe, amusement parks, the zoo or aquarium (I'm a total animal-lover -- I wish I had the science-brain to be a veterinarian!), seeing a band at a small venue, Broadway shows, a good cookie, hanging out with my niece, a couple of beers with a good friend(s), American Idol and a few terrible shows that are guilty pleasures and shall remain nameless for now!

As for the kind of guy I like..... it varies so much that I don't know if I want to put some ideal "wish list" here for fear that a great guy (you?) will see something I wrote and think "Well, that's not me at all..." and then not take the chance of sending an email, but maybe he had some other quality that I would have adored. I mean, if I knew EXACTLY what I was looking for (and if such a person existed, because let's face it, we can all come up with a "dream" person), I think I'd have found him by now!

A few basics though: He has a career that he is serious about and reasonably successful in, but he has room in his life for a relationship. He is funny and easy-going and friendly. He hopes to get married to a really nice, caring, "has her life together" kind of woman and start a family within the next 5 years. He values stability and security, and has high moral standards for doing the right thing. He likes being romantic and a little mushy and "in our own happy, cozy world" when we're alone. :-)

Oh... and it's probably worth mentioning this: It is fine with me if you are divorced and/or have kids... but if you are separated or recently divorced and not "over it" yet, I don't want to get involved in the drama!

So. Did you actually read this whole thing? Are you nodding with appreciation of what I'm saying? Email me...

I think online dating calls for a "pre-date"...like meeting for an afternoon coffee or something brief and casual.

PLEASE NOTE: I will not reply to IMs Monday-Friday until after 6pm. I'm at work! So don't be offended if I shut the window immediately.