I’m an early retired teacher and school counselor with two graduate degrees, 5'10", very fit, muscular (but not to an extreme), a homeowner, a golden retriever owner, and a newshound. I consider myself philosphical yet playful, warm and empathetic, and enjoy bad puns and light repartee. I've exercised (through both cardio and weight training) consistantly for over 30 years. How am I different than other guys? I'll willingly go shopping and I don't get cranky. When I open my daily newspaper I don't automatically turn to the sports section first. Last but not least I WILL pull over to ask directions. One of my goals in life is to connect with more people who like to transcend the all too serious world we live in with a lot of kidding and playing with words (e. g. The pun is mightier than the sword). I've been told I'm a good conversationalist with a very pleasant voice (deep yet smooth), and a good dancer. . .but I believe anything can be interesting if done with interesting company. If I could live in another place in time it would be Frank Capra's America. The streets were safe, teachers were respected, people really were kinder and gentler, and common courtesy wasn't a contradiction in terms. Coarseness in conversation and popular culture lacked good taste. Heroes, and Americans in general were more modest, humor more self-effacing, and manners more an extension of the golden rule. Neighborliness and a sense of community were important, there was a moral to most stories, and more often than not, good triumphed over evil. Anyone could dream, believe it possible, and with enough hard work and good luck, create a happy ending.

I'm interested in meeting someone who enjoys playful banter (playful being the operative word) yet has a very compassionate side underneath, someone who is kind and well-mannered yet still has that youthful sense of wonder about the world and appreciates the little things in life. She would feel an affinity for my kind of personality. . . Although I believe in old fashioned values, most people would describe me as young-at-heart. Perhaps most importantly I'm at my best being an empathetic person. I believe everyone has a story to tell. . .that its my mission to really listen, ask questions to better understand what the other person is feeling and thinking, and by so doing help them come to their own conclusions. Although I have a strong sense of who I am, I'm very careful to be aware of the feelings of others. I feel most people know when I'm kidding (with a lot of exaggeration and over-dramatization), but I'm always on the alert for what others are sensitive about, so a lot of my humor is directed at . . .me!... I think relationships are like Velcro: the more points of interest and temperament that fit, the more likely the two people are to stick together. Although I believe in talking things out I'm also seeking someone playful who still has the ability to kid and be kidded in the midst of a misunderstanding. This adds levity to the most serious of situations. What's most important? To be on your best friend's side. Opinions can make for an interesting discussion but loyalty is a forgotten virtue. "It is a hard quest worth making to find a comrade through whose steady presence one becomes the person one desires to be."

I find almost anything can be interesting with interesting company.