Basic snapshot of me

Hobbies and interests: See above. The list changes every now and then, mostly adding things.

Goals: Getting the most out of life; seeing new places, learning new things, creating new stuff.

Personality: Inquisitive, thoughtful, principled, bold, eccentric.

What music I like: a lot of widely different things, mostly good solid instrumentals backing a great melody (particularly with guitars in the mix). My collection includes Gordon Lightfoot, The Who, Narciso Yepes, The Beatles, Gregorian Chants, Shakira, Beethoven's 9th, The Police, Celtic folk music, The Guess Who, Eric Clapton, U2 ... and lots of other things, especially "Best Of" albums.

We're more likely to be compatible if you: don't watch TV; like to use your legs; have interesting things to say; are a good listener.

We probably won't get along if you: like to watch the Canucks; like the quiet settled life; don't like movies.

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Five-minute introduction to me

I'm a sort of citified cowboy. I've lived in cities for almost thirty-five years, work in high-tech fields, have advanced science degrees, and have travelled the world... but I grew up in ranch country and in many ways I still think like the real cowboys that I'm related to. The antics of animals are endlessly interesting to watch (including those of people). Competition and status games are mostly a waste of time. Exercise is something you get on the way to doing interesting things, like climbing a mountain to see the view.

I often appear contradictory! I might be quiet and calm, drinking a beer and watching the world go by. I might be very active and dynamic, consumed by a pet project or talking to somebody interesting about something exciting. It just depends, on when and where and whom. I like Monty Python, Seinfeld and Corner Gas, but don't own a TV or want one (I watch DVDs on a computer). I look good in a suit and I do own a tuxedo, but most of the time I'm happy in jeans and a t-shirt.

Most contradictory of all... Some people see me as liberal, some others see me as conservative. Both are dead wrong. I like to think for myself and I'm very active about it. I question common views all the time and try hard not to let myself believe things just because they would be convenient for me, but I'm also not afraid to make decisions and form opinions. For example: I'm very broad-minded about sex, spirituality, and most other personal matters. On the other hand, I've seen enough of drug use to be sure it's all a counterproductive waste of time, and now I don't even care to argue about it.

Being the aggressive learner that I am, I naturally love to travel and see new places. Don't confuse that with "nice places" though. I don't travel to take holidays; I travel to satisfy my curiosity. Not that I never take holidays or have anything against nice relaxing places; I do both, but you're just as likely to see me in Iceland as the Canary Islands, and much more likely to find me in the Sahara or Serengeti than at any resort. I don't qualify for the Century Club yet, but at 73 countries I'm gradually getting closer.

What do I want from the women I meet on POF? Going out on fun dates, mostly. Staying in sometimes might be fun, too. New friends are good, as well, and I'd consider long-term commitment if and only if the right woman came along.

What qualities do I value in people? Wisdom, honesty and integrity above all, but also some less-definable quality like adventurousness or ambition or spirit... I get along with people who see life as a limited resource to be spent well and not just endured. Respect is a pretty big thing for me, too. My heroes include Muhammad Ali, Eric Liddell and Don Quixote, for what that's worth.

Are you wondering about the "other religion" box? Don't panic! It's the "spiritual but not religious" view - I see us all as part of a bigger picture but gave up on organized religion as another waste of time. I am impressed by people with the wisdom not to be overly confident about questions that can't be proven or even defined properly.

Go ahead and message me - I'm a friendly guy and I answer everybody. Thanks for stopping by! I'll leave you with some inspiring words from Helen Keller:

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.

Something original, exciting and fun, of course! Well, really, how could anyone know what to do before they've chatted? But just to prove I do have ideas:

The usual meeting for tea or coffee is fine (especially if we do it some place where we can watch strange people go by).

Dinner is fine, too. I like good food, and usually find it in small hole-in-the-wall places. My favourite lunch haunts are a doner shop and Subway but I eat almost any cuisine - except spaghetti or chili! (Weird, I know, but there's a story behind that).

Music and drinking and dancing might work. The most successful first date I ever had was one such, in a group of people.

We could watch the fish at the Stanley Park Aquarium, or hang out with the parrots in Bloedel Conservatory.

I'm almost always happy to go for a walk (I walk a lot).

Window-shopping and people-watching on Commercial Drive are usually interesting enough to keep me going an hour or two.

A photography trip would be nice - I haven't been getting enough use out of my D80.