I'm a long-time Sebastopolian, originally from NY (left in '67) via Berkeley (til '69) and Mendocino (til '74). An ex-Ivy-League, ex-hippie. I'm fit, health and spiritually oriented (sort of a buddhist without the "ism"), love food and am an excellent cook, exercise regularly, am self-employed (have been all but 5 yrs of my adult life). I'm responsible, organized, unconventional, intense, financially sound (but not wealthy), a good friend, nurturing, youthful, finally grown-up (but still learning), a good communicator and a potter/sculptor (since age 59). I love tools and doing projects around the house, but also like to get 'outta' town (Mendocino and SF are favorites). I'm most comfortable in shorts or sweats, but also like dressing up or costuming. I'm a thrift shop browser, love my hot tub, enjoy good books and movies, used to dance up a storm (still enjoy hitting the floor now and then) and like volunteering for community events.

More and more I tend to view my opinions and beliefs not as the truth, but as "my stories" about things. I'm not necessarily invested in them. It pleases me to be able to chuckle when I notice them. They're more like the clothes that I put on each day or for a specific event.

I want a partner-in-life. Not to smother or be smothered. Shared interests, individual interests, shared friends, individual friends. Comfortably independent/interdependent. But someone to live with, share a lot of life with and explore more of it. I'd like to find a fun, intelligent, articulate, interesting, petite, warm and open woman. I'm mixing all kinds of adjectives here. Spontaneous, responsible, strong, health & spiritually-oriented, integrity, familiar and comfortable with her "shadow". Maybe someone who also likes to putter on home projects. A good communicator & friend & hopefully she considers relationship as "path".... AND a relationship that encourages me to grow beyond who I believe myself to be......AND I seek a woman for whom 'being aware' is a priority. Not a serious, grit-your-teeth pursuit, more like a laugh or giggle at how silly we normally are. BOTTOMLINE: someone who truly likes me, though obviously, not necessarily everything about me (but hopefully those things you don't care for about me, you find humorous)

Since on a first date I'm particularly interested in getting to know you, I find that taking a hike and talking or meeting for coffee or tea is a nice way to get a sense of the potential of a match. However if we've seen each other's pictures and spoken for a while on the phone and it's clear that we'd have some fun together, I'd suggest going to San Francisco to an event or museum and having lunch or dinner out, perhaps an Asian cuisine OR maybe going out to the ocean and hiking around and then having a sunset dinner of fresh fish out there. However, this is really something to be discussed and agreed on. I don't have attachment to getting my way, but I do like to agree on a compromise.