I tried making a profile just describing myself and had it up for a long while. I was never quite comfortable with it though, I think I'll try putting more of an emphasis on what I think I'm looking for.

I'd like to meet someone that has a certain level of personal security and probably a somewhat mellow attitude toward life. Comfortable with themselves. A dry sarcastic sense of humour would be very much appreciated. I find it much easier to be close with people if I feel they're comfortable with/enjoy the way life can frequently change and are happy to find new facets of life to explore so that I don't feel like I have to avoid making personal changes. Good conversational/debate stamina would be an excellent quality, I like to talk and especially enjoy trying to understand the differences in people's points of view.

I like to keep moderately active, especially socially and so I would appreciate someone who enjoys going out doors regularly. Nothing too specific or intense, I don't really play team sports or anything like that. Just a general lack of physical laziness would be nice, such as a willingness to walk rather than drive, for example. An interest in the "geekier*" areas of life would probably come in handy, as tend to get into computers, videogames, physics, math and such, so I often have that sort of thing on my mind but I'm also usually fine with non-attentive listening on those kinds of subjects. I tend to have a higher initial attraction to people who are more on the intellectual/geeky* side rather than someone who seems like they're hoping to draw conventional social attention.

I'm not specifically motivated by money, which is not to say that I hate the idea of it, but I tend to prefer others who aren't focused on it as well. I'm more philosophically/socially minded and so as long as I have enough money to live comfortably I don't often seek out more. It's just a warning: I'm not stingy or broke, but it's best not to expect the moon in material things either. I'll also add that I prefer people that think of relationships as an addition or enhancement to life, rather than an absolute necessity. I prefer feeling wanted over feeling 'needed', I think it's a much nicer sentiment.

*geeky = particularly interested in or knowledgeable about any number of subjects out there in the wide wide world.

oh, also, I'm not especially shy but I'm wary about making first contact with people, especially online

I'm a simple man. My ideal first date would be walking outside somewhere nice in the afternoon while talking and looking for points of interesting connection. After that, anything that's relaxed enough to allow for a good degree of interaction is great. I find that playing pool works well. And the standard methods are always fine, coffee, dinner, depends on the situation leading up to the first date. It's something to decide together.