And I'm not a helicopter.

I'm looking for someone genuine to share laughs and new experiences. I don't have a schedule, checklist, or timetable that I'll try to stuff you into. For me, the whole point of this is to meet someone new and step away from my ordinary circle.

So I can't really describe a "perfect match". Why would I want to? That just limits me to those things I've already experienced. Nor am I interested in someone who respects herself so little that she is willing to act or pretend to be someone she is not. That's poisonous insanity. I want you as you- direct and honest. I want us to enhance and liberate each other.

I don't want to over describe myself either, in case that activates some stereotype in your mind.

Some objective things about me are:

I do meaningful work that I enjoy so much that I can't believe I am paid to do it. Although it's demanding in some ways I look forward to it every day. Even sometimes not when I expected to!

It might seem odd to put that first in a dating profile, but it's important. Work has a tremendous effect on the rest of our lives. The fact that I'm proud of what I do and enjoy doing it means that my time is NOT spent doing something that bores or irritates me. So I don't have "job stress" or anger to work out on you.

I know that I'm lucky. I've had very difficult and unrewarding work, and helping with that by being a sounding board or mirror is a big part of a relationship. I'm good at that and actually like doing it. So don't think, "I hate my job, he won't want to listen to me gripe". Wrong, unwinding after a difficult day is actually a very intimate thing to share.

I'm stable in the ways that matter. I am reliable, without former relationship baggage, don't drink or smoke (though I don't mind if you do) or use drugs, not controlling or violent. Not a recovering anything.

I am physically healthy and financially untroubled, if unspectacular.

Fatherhood is not for me. Not because all the unborn children got together and took a vote, but because I've just never wanted that. Parenting is as important a thing as there is. Like flying a jet, if you don't REALLY want to do it, you shouldn't.

I'm too wordy in this profile.

Now for the subjective. I am:

Very optimistic and positive. I love to laugh. Not at the expense of others, but at the comedies inherent in life.

Constantly amazed by how little I know.

Fond of travel.

A good listener who enjoys hearing about the way you see things.

Interested in the world beyond today and South East Tennessee.

Not prejudiced or particular about your background, education, religion, what you do for a living, or those sorts of things.

Not manic about going and doing, willing to relax and enjoy.

Something with plenty of noticing and listening opportunity in it.

Coffee or a meal in a place where we both feel comfortable.

Or maybe walk through the Hunter and comment on the art?