I'll be honest, I date and flirt a lot and would surely be labeled a player if I wasn't so hung-up on some archaic idea that seeking out my ideal partner is a better pursuit than spreading my genetic material far and wide like Darwin would have recommended. At the same time, I enjoy being single enough that I'm very picky about who I settle down with.

I'm searching for my equal: a SINGLE, active, silly, smart, outgoing, self-aware, and confident woman that is at the point in her life where she's not afraid of developing a relationship with the right person, yet secure enough with herself that she's not willing to rush into things with the first dude that comes along. She should have a social life, including male friends. I'm always suspicious of someone that can't handle a platonic relationship with the opposite sex. Hopefully she is willing to visit DC often, most of my friends live downtown.

I haven't had much luck with online dating compared to the real world. Without any social references, that nice woman with the sincere-sounding profile often turns out to be misadvertised at best. I'm convinced that 70-90% of the online dating pool belongs in therapy, not a relationship. I've had some ridiculous experiences, on one date I actually feared for my life (it's a great story). Regardless, I try to treat everyone I date with respect, even if I am disappointed in the end. You will get no theatrics from me. I expect the same common decency. Please have standards and self respect. If you typically end up with controlling jerks and are online to find your first nice guy, don't pick me. It never works out.

I suppose a bit about me is in order. I'm a slightly eccentric person who lives life by my own rules. I sometimes work hard, long days, but turn that off once I'm out the door for a long night in the city or a relaxing day on my sailboat. It's a great weekend if I find myself asleep on a friend's porch wearing a tuxedo because I lost track of time and missed the last metro.

I'm a risk taker to the point of being foolhardy. I'm also very lucky. I'm considered trustworthy and outgoing, but also often crude and "refreshingly un-American" whatever that means.

I'll even reveal a few personal traits that have turned off women in the past which probably won't change: I don't really care for pets and prefer the companionship of other humans to some drooling beast. Apparently, dogs love me because of this. I move very slowly when dating, I try to build mutual trust before consummating a relationship. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, I fail at this. I am not well traveled. I don't care for sports. I hold down a job and am reliable, but I give my creative side free rein. I'm not always grounded in reality. My art, lifestyle and sometimes my wacky conversation topics reflect this. Often my kitchen is a wood shop and my bathroom is a darkroom.

Fun Facts:

* I recently grew an inch. Not what you are thinking you little tart! Some might call it a miracle. I call it breaking my femur in High School, going through the agony of surgically lengthening it to match the normal one in college (think of that scene in Gattaca) only to discover that it decided to grow that extra missing inch just last year!

* I befriend random people from all walks of life. For example, my Metro bus driver asked me to hang the last day he was driving my route. That magical night he not only showed me where buses come from, he also taught me some of the most efficient ways to scare off women I've ever seen. Hint: walk up to a random girl at a club and repeatedly offer to obtain some "pills" for her, then blame your shocked wingman for ruining your game when they run off scared. I guess I owe him some respect for hitting 100 mph on the beltway in a beat up old manual transmission car with an open glass (not bottle) of premium single grain scotch in his right hand. He claimed the po-po don't mess with bus drivers.

* I was born and raised in Texas, but for some reason I am often assumed to be European. Anyone who sees the NRA sticker on my pickup truck does not make that mistake. (Sad update... I traded in the pickup for a really "tool-ish" sports car)

* I graduated with top honors from one of best fine art colleges in the country, but didn't really make art for five years after leaving school. Recently I've revived my creative passions.

* I have 5 bicycles and will probably buy more.

* I'm very bad at being Catholic, but still have the good old-fashioned Catholic guilt thing ...or does that make me a good Catholic?

If you have made it this far, please don't be afraid to reach out to me. I don't spend much time browsing profiles on here, and love a woman that takes the initiative!

I usually suggest a first date where I can learn as much about the woman as possible. I'd prefer a trip to the gallery or a meal in a quiet restaurant over something like the theater. I love the outdoors and always enjoy getting to know a stranger over a long walk. Even if the date goes poorly at least everyone gets some exercise!

Also, first dates where I feel slightly challenged and out of my element are always interesting. Maybe we would go to a cultural event where you are at home, and I have no idea what's going on.

I try to keep things platonic on the first few dates. I think it is very important to appreciate a person as a whole before rushing into something regrettable. I should stress that I'm at the point in my life were I'm more interested in finding the right person or just making a new friend than "hooking up".

And remember... there's no such thing as a bad date, just ridiculous stories to share with your friends next night out.