I am a once married (21 yrs.), once divorced very proud father of four exceptionally bright and polite (maybe not always to each other) kids (ages 9 - 17) who spend half their time with me, and continue to rock my world daily. My mutts are a Rott/Lab named Kahlua, and a Beagle/Lab named Tia Maria.

I am a full-time father, and half-time mother (Actually, far more than half-time. Somebody needs to act like a real parent around here). I am trying to raise my children without screwing them up too much. They believe our family to be an autonomous collective. Ha!!! I keep telling them that they're fooling themselves. That it's really a dictatorship, a self-perpetuating autocracy. Thus, I'm having mixed results at the moment.

A graduate of U-M, I toil as an IT Director (read: professional nerd/geek) for a relatively major fastener (nuts, bolts,,, yawn) distributor. I enjoy cooking, and know how to clean up after myself (doesn't mean that I always do it). I am also very handy around the house, and proficient in the use of all manner of power and hand tools (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). I like travel (been to 47 states, and the south pacific for pleasure), and adventure (been sky diving and white water rafting many times).

If the contents of my glass reach the half way point, I refill it. Knowing that whatever goes wrong is usually my own damned fault (my apologies to Jimmy Buffet) keeps me from taking myself too seriously. Mom and Dad taught me to be honest and polite, not hit people but rather hold the door open for them. I am as loyal and faithful as a puppy dog (usually without soiling the carpet). I exhibit self control of bodily noises/functions while in public, have acceptable table manners, and can mix a mean Margarita or Dirty Martini (and as of late, one bad-ass Bloody Mary).

I do seem to perpetually be a little too short for my weight. I try to work out (lift, rowing machine) regularly and bike or hike as often as possible. For those of you looking for someone "Athletic and Toned", I can do the athletic bit, but that toned part was nowhere to be found in the gene pool that I crawled out of. Not into dancing, as I was born with two left feet, and no rhythm, balance or coordination (can back it up with hospital records). However, I am willing to invest the required time and energy with a teacher that has a lot of patience, along with steel toed dancing shoes and shin guards.

Lots of hobbies, some geeky (astronomy), most not (photography, although that can get a little bit geeky, especially astro-photography). Love playing outdoors, pretty much anything on or near water or mountains. That includes camping (especially river or ocean side), swimming, snorkeling, sailing, tubing, jet skiing, canoeing and kayaking. I might even be convinced to strap on snow skis and throw myself down a mountain again (will need to consult with my orthopedist first). I love spoiling a good walk (golf, sorry Mr. Feinstein). I can usually be talked into trying just about anything once (except bowling,,, no bowling).

I belong to a large group of very close friends. The kids and I love to hang out with them and their families. We collectively enjoy extreme Euchre, full contact Jenga, marathon movie watching and all manner of summertime activities. Spectator sports could be a problem a couple of times a year, as I am pretty fanatical about my kid's soccer, Meechigan football and Red Wing hockey (especially playoff time).

Four kids, two dogs and a decent audio system means my house is usually a noisy place. It is especially so at meal prep time, when we regularly engage in group cook. Knives slashing, appliances whirring, burners burning; it's not for the faint of heart.

On the quieter side, I love watching extreme weather live (although that's not always so quiet), staring at the stars or a fire (preferably while sharing a bottle of wine and good thought provoking conversation, or just the comfort of someone special). Watching a good movie on dvd, or listening to good music works too.

My offbeat sense of humor is (almost) always at work (although it does seem to succumb to first date jitters). It ranges from dark and twisted to zany and madcap, often in the same sentence. Funny thing is, I was never the class clown. I love word play (the English language is a wonderful playground), and Carlinesque humor. Included in my favorite topics for conversation (debate, critique, opine) are politics, religion and music. I'm open and tolerant about the first two. Music too, as long as you don't make me think too hard about country.

I like the following:

Books: The Potter series (literary crack), the Discworld series, the Hitchhiker's Guide series. David Sedaris and Christopher Moore leave me in tears. Anything that teaches me something that I didn't already know (I can spend an entire afternoon chasing links in the Wikipedia).

Movies: Any Monty Python, Cohen Brothers, Zucker Brothers, Mel Brooks or Tarantino flicks. Good (smart) comedy, action/adventure/mystery. Not into horror/gore.

Music: Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, R.E.M., U2, B-52's, Pink Floyd, Beatles, most any Indie folk/rock, whatever my two eldest kids are listening to (the have great taste in music and love my favs too).

Food: Oriental, Middle Eastern, Indian, spicy hot (been known to grow my own chilis)...

Things I am really good at include: Empathy; tolerance; forgiveness; being way too trusting; working with my hands; solving problems; debating; remembering names, faces and conversations (except during those "senior moments"); getting things mixed up when I read between the lines; putting the cart before the horse; chafing at the bit; getting my hopes up; wearing my emotions on my sleeves; falling down and ripping holes in my clothes; picking myself up, wiping the dust off, putting my hat back on and climbing back into the saddle; describing myself with clichés; pedantic verbosity; over using ellipses...

There is a pretty good likelihood that we are here seeking the same thing: companionship and affection. I am aware that those are big words (three or more syllables each) with lots of nuance to their meaning. I am not here for casual encounters. I am interested in someone who puts forth genuine effort toward being honest, respectful, courteous and polite in word and deed. Please be confident, yet compassionate, with a true sense of humor (that means not just laughing at what spews from my mouth, but also occasionally making my coffee, wine or beer gush from my nose). A little attitude (wit, sass and a touch of playful sarcasm) is required to put up with me. You should also be well educated and smarter than I am (already a probability). Oh, it helps to have a wart or two, physical and/or psychological (admit to being human). I know that I do...

If you've made it this far, references are available on request...

Coffee, drinks, a meal (doesn't matter which one), a Ball/Hockey game, walk/bike ride, movie, or ride every coaster at Cedar Point. Just depends...