To know me may not be to love me, but at least be open to the possibility! Even strangers need love. I’m not sure if I’m any “stranger” than anyone else, but I do think that trying to be “normal” (whatever that is) is highly overrated.

I suppose I could be described as, among other things, your basic eccentric, enigmatic, iconoclast – which is just a fancy way of saying my thinking, perspective, and humor is often a little different than many other people’s. I may not be any more “unique” than anyone else, but I often do seem to “stand out” – and not just because I’m 6 feet tall.

Whether it is really true or not, I believe that everything happens for a reason. I don’t believe there are any accidents. If we have not met already, please introduce yourself!

I’m a first-born Aquarius “ENTP” (Enneagram) “#7″ “Bernese Mountain Dog” personality born in the Year of the Water Rabbit/Cat – with a “27/9″ life path. I don’t particularly like cats, but a LOT of them sure seem to like me (for reasons I have yet to figure out)! I prefer dogs, trees, children and WOMEN! I definitely like and am attracted to female humans. Few women seem to have ANY idea of just how (truly) beautiful they really are (inside and out). I wish it was easier and more “acceptable” to tell them (and/or others) without it being misinterpreted or misconstrued as anything other than just recognizing, appreciating, and acknowledging how wonderful I perceive (many of) them to be.

Although I can usually find something “good”, desirable and/or of “value” wherever I look, I tend to perceive both “beauty” and the “Divine” most easily in female form(s). Like most (male) humans, I have certain preferences, but that hasn’t stopped me from being attracted to, interested in, and/or REALLY liking, loving, admiring, appreciating, being friends with, and even marrying women who are QUITE different. So, if YOU are AT ALL interested in ME (or know someone who might be), PLEASE do NOT be coy or shy…. Let me know! I’m NOT desperate, but I AM “available”, open to, and EAGER for a “life partner” (for whom my looks, brains, and personality are attractive, appealing and complimentary) for a relationship where we each bring out the best in each other and are better together than apart). I’m more interested in someone to come home to than (just) someone to go out with. That said, I am also quite open to (“just”) friendship.

I am probably most intrigued and motivated by connection. Patterns, relationships, sharing, contributing, creating synergy, adding value, making a (positive) difference (of some kind), and making things fit (better/together) are of great interest and importance to me. I welcome opportunities to grow, improve, and to share my perspective. For whatever it’s worth, I “share” a birthday with Bob Marley, Babe Ruth, and Ronald Reagan.

According to one on-line personality test, I am supposed to be a Shy Idealist. This might be true, but a lot of people don’t think I’m shy at all – and may even think I’m quite an adventurer. I am also supposed to be a Pitta-Vata, (Rayid) Flower, Explorer/Director with a (DISC) millionaire’s hook – and once you get me talking, you might wonder if/when I’ll ever stop. At least you’ll probably learn and/or laugh a lot – and won’t EVER be bored!

I’m more auditory and kinesthetic than visual, yet I often tend to see the “big picture” (more than most). I’m not sure if this is due to greater sensitivity and awareness, or just because of what I look at, focus on, and pay attention to. My global, concrete-random approach tends to more easily gravitate toward the role of the black, green and/or white “thinking hat” more than the red, yellow, or blue). I love ideas and innovation, but actions, experience and results mean more to me than words, education, or intent (alone).

Although I can be open-minded, indecisive, or undecided about quite a few things, I am also apparently just as often fairly insightful, well-informed, and opinionated.  I am often surprised that others lack awareness or much understanding of so much of what seems obvious to me.  Conversely, my having a slightly different paradigm and perspective means that it sometimes takes a while for me to grasp some things that others take for granted. I’m fairly tall, but there are still quite a few things go over my head (at first). Luckily, I’m a quick learner.

I don’t like labels, and tend to overlap most categories – thus can relate to (and be accepted by) many others without actually being one of them. People often seem to feel “safe” and comfortable confiding in me and showing or telling me things they may not often share with others – probably because I do not repeat what they say or betray their trust (to others).

I know far more than I wished about broken bones, homes, hearts, and dreams – both my own and others’. As a result, I am far less judgmental and far more accepting of what others may be going through. I am seldom overly impressed by “success” nor depressed by “failure” – or put off by “negativity”.

My father was an immigrant (who survived life in the ghetto and 5 Nazi death camps as a child) who did not come to this country until he was 30, yet who speaks English better than I do (growing up here). My mother is descended from those who came to, built, and fought for this country even before it was a sovereign “nation”. I am a mainly self-educated high-school drop-out who, somehow, with limited formal education and no academic degree or real “credentials”, have taught, coached, and trained others with far more formal/academic education (and experience) than I will probably ever have. The “2-year” Associate of Science degree I eventually received took 25 years to “complete”. Most of my other schooling has been practical in nature, acquisition, and application. I have “earned a living” in many ways. I have worked for others as well as for myself, and I have learned quite a bit about life and “business” – including that I’m not (yet) really all that good at it (especially compared to what and who I “know”).

Although I am not nearly as “worldly” or well-traveled as many people I’ve met, I have visited and lived in various parts of the world – and can sometimes carry on a conversation, sing along to songs, or at least greet, thank, and say simple things to people in quite a few languages. As part of my military service, I have also spent time in a few places I probably would not have picked on my own. I am acutely aware of the fragility, durability, and sacredness of life.

I’m not proud of everything I have (or haven’t) done, but I very much desire to be considered a good (and desirable) father, friend, and (hopefully) husband (again).

I have climbed ladders, trees, and mountains; dived off cliffs, rappelled down buildings, rock outcroppings, and out of helicopters. I have hiked through jungles, deserts, and swamps, skied on snow and water, skated on ice and sidewalks, swam and fished in rivers, lakes and oceans. I have been to the tops and bottoms of volcanoes, waterfalls, and canyons. I have ridden horses, camels, and elephants. I have broken boards with my fist, arrows with my neck, my thumb with a baseball, and even my own heart with relationships that did not “work out” as I would have preferred. I have walked across hot coals, broken glass, beams high on the air, and, upon occasion, people in my way. I have flown an airplane, a helicopter, a hot air balloon, and a hang-glider. I have bungee jumped, packed my own parachute, skydived, and have had to use my reserve. I have skinny-dipped, snorkeled, SCUBA dived, and been in a submarine. I have traveled by foot, bicycle, automobile, bus, train, small plane, large jet, canoe, kayak, rowboat, raft, hovercraft, ferry, and ship. I have driven trucks and trailers, military and commercial passenger vehicles, and women crazy enough to leave me.

I have worked in orchards, farms, and fields, schools, factories, medical facilities, and even a circus. I have been on TV, in films, on the radio. I have led (adventure) tours, tended bar, and dealt blackjack, poker, roulette, and craps. I have also served in two branches of my country’s Armed Forces. I like being outside and in nature and have studied and practiced wilderness “survival”, “primitive” living skills, and (animal) tracking. I have hunted, fished, trapped, grown, gathered, prepared and eaten everything from acorns and insects to rabbits and deer – and yet only tried things like frogs and snails in fancy restaurants. My preferred diet features lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish.

I have extensive training, experience and expertise in diverse styles, modalities, and approaches of massage, bodywork, physical and mental conditioning, nutrition, and “holistic”, emergency, and orthopedic medical/health care. I have delivered babies, seen and felt people die, and cared for all kinds of injuries and illnesses. I can give a very good Thai-Shiatsu-Swedish-DeepTissue-Sportsmassage (with various other “personal touches” thrown in for good measure and variety). Although people seem to like my touch and tell me that I have good hands, what I often like rubbed most is my feet.

If you haven’t noticed by now, I like words – and am sometimes willing and able to use them. The same is true for my body. I’m fortunate to (naturally?) be fairly “athletic” and have played quite a few sports, practiced martial arts, and even taught, competed, and performed ballroom, salsa, and bachata dancing. I enjoy both music and movement, but what appeals to me most about dance is the partnership (required). I’d also much rather have a woman in my arms than just dance alone!

I’ve long been fascinated by how different people are; not just in how they look and move, but also how they think and live. I am convinced that, despite all that sets us apart, as individuals, genders, societies and/or nations, we have far more in common with each other (and other species). I like variety and diversity – and have never believed that there is ONE “right” way (for anything). I have studied a wide variety of personality typing systems and other ways people attempt to understand and explain the world around them – and am fairly comfortable reconciling and making use of alternative perspectives.

While I am not a natural salesman, I am familiar with the strategies, principles, techniques and methods of many marketing mavens, creative copywriters, and successful negotiators. I have helped others package, buy or sell various things with THEIR best interests in mind. Most people seem to trust me. Many seem to like me. Some seem interested in me (or what I might offer them). A few more so than others.

I have attended a variety of business, marketing, and personal growth classes and seminars over the years, and have a lot of “knowledge” (that for some reason I usually do not actually use myself, but am happy to share). I know or have met many of the most popular and well-known public speakers and seminar trainers – and have staffed quite a few events for them.

I’ve never “pastored” a congregation, but have led a few religious services, and taught a high-school course on comparative religions. I’ve also herded several large flocks of REAL sheep and goats – who are a lot brighter and more individual than many people (give them credit for being).

I sometimes “know” things for no apparent reason (and used to have more “de ja vu” experiences than I was comfortable with). Despite things I may say, do, or take for granted, I do NOT consider myself “spiritual” – no matter how many people try to tell me otherwise. While I do occasionally say something profound, I doubt I’m particularly awake, or enlightened. I’ve never really been sure how to react to compliments on my “presence”, “intelligence”, or “wisdom”, let alone my “contagious” smile, “great” hugs, or sense of humor, but I DO really enjoy women asking me to dance (with them).

Politically, I consider myself an idealistic, yet pragmatic, non-partisan independent: often simultaneously liberal and conservative, sometimes on the same issue. I despise partisan politics and platforms that serve mainly to advance the positions and careers of individuals, rather than those they are supposed to represent and serve. I strongly believe in, advocate, and support interdependence, mutual responsibility, and service.

I have written and posted many things on the internet (regarding all sorts of subjects), mainly in response to things I have seen, heard, or read elsewhere. In addition to my view on politics, military policy and involvement, relationships, and entertainment, a theme that I seem to come back to often is the need to redefine what is considered an “asset” and/or “resource” so that there are no “weeds”, no “waste”, and no reason for anyone to live in Scare-City when they is clearly enough for all – when greed and fear give way to acceptance, and appreciation of what is around (and within) us and others (that we all too often overlook, disregard, or undervalue) – myself included. I believe that we are all part of an interdependent global family, and that we need to both respect and look out for one another. I also believe that along with “rights” there are responsibilities, that obstacles are often opportunities, and that “freedom” is seldom, if ever, free (from obligations).

I welcome, encourage, and appreciate YOUR comments and kudos.