It's the perfect cover: corporate finance and analytics guru by day, superhero by night. Minus the superhero on the side stuff, that's me. I'm currently renovating my house, and enjoy playing with my stock portfolio. I work out 6 days a week, not just to stay in shape for health reasons (and because I play field hockey), but I want to stay attractive for that special woman. I have a stack of library books on business and sociology that I never make time to read. When it comes to how I spend my time, I'd say I stay home vs. going out maybe 70/30 ratio. I'm not into the bar scene, nor am I looking for hookups or random encounters (or even non-random encounters). I was taught to treat every woman like their own mother, so I'm not a bad boy (but I'm not a Mr. Nice Guy either - to mistake my kindness for weakness would be an erroneous conclusion). I like to think I'm a better listener than talker. I'm not here to make you "complete" - a person has to be complete before they get into a relationship, otherwise it's sabotaged from the start. I have two masters degrees. Sir-Mix-A-Lot is the greatest rapper ever, but I'm not into much rap - mostly classic rock and smooth jazz. I'm a Cubs fan, but I don't hate the White Sox. I like board games, card games, and video games (my favorite childhood toy was my Nintendo). I wish I still had my motorcycle.

But that's enough about me for now; let's talk about you. I'm looking for one special woman who has the confidence that she knows she has a lot to offer. I know I do. I admit I'm pretty demanding, but that's a standard I uphold to myself. If someone were to tell me I was lacking in some way, you can bet I'm gonna work hard at it. As Joyce Meyer once said, it's better to ask for everything and get half of it, than ask for nothing and get all of it. If the best asset you have going for you is your looks, then it's probably not going to work out between us. I'm looking for an equal (and I know the following list may give the impression I'm an arrogant jerk, when I'm merely over-confident):
- Someone with a good head on her shoulders - is not just smart, but wise. You don't have to be rocket scientist (although that is kind of hot), but you need to have a good sense of right and wrong and exercise sound judgment.
- Someone who appreciates hard work and puts effort into all they do. You can't appreciate the view from the mountains unless you've been in the valleys. Nobody deserves anything - you have to earn it. The best way to measure success is what you had to give up in order to achieve it.
- Confidence. When I'm wrong, please tell me (in a constructive way). Sure, that happens once every 2.8 years, but challenge me. I like a fiesty attitude, that certain moxie, and some sarcastic humor. I like a competitive spirit, so keep me on my toes to keep striving to be a better man each day.
- Respect. R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me! Sorry, getting a little caught up in the mood there. Have respect for yourself; I know this ties in with confidence, but everyone has value and worth, and don't let anyone mistreat you. We've all been disrespected, but that doesn't mean we should become bitter. I want to respect a woman, and that starts when she respects herself.
- Spirituality has a place in your life (if you're Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish, we're good).
- Active pursuits. I love playing sports, so if we can do something together (running, basketball, competitive tetherball, etc.) that would be great. But you don't have to be an Olympic athlete - you just have to like having fun and a desire to stay in shape.
- And no kids yet. If you have some, sorry - it's not going to happen.

I'm not a "behind every good man is a good woman" thinker - I believe "BESIDE every good man is a good woman". It's all about the 'we', not the 'me', as 1+1 = 3 (yes, I realize that rhymes - an unintended consequence, but I'm rolling with it). Have a sense of what you want and pursue it with your whole heart. There, I've done enough talking - you talk and I'll listen.

Whether you call it a date or not, the ideal first encounter really is meeting for coffee (I don't drink coffee, but tea, apple cider, hot chocolate - they all suffice). It's casual and there isn't an obligation of "Oh, he bought me dinner, now I HAVE to make conversation". You can tell if you click or not (chemistry) very quickly (our quick judgments are usually correct - see the book "Blink") by if it's easy and enjoyable talking to that person. That, and I have a theory that you can know if you like someone or not based on how they look in jeans and a hoodie.