**not a paying member right now**
I think it was Joseph Campbell who said not to do anything that isn't play (even at work), and that pretty well describes the approach I try to take with everything--life is too short not to really enjoy what you do everyday. I'm often thinking about my next meal--I eat and cook anything and everything. I am a simple pleasures kind of girl, and try surround myself with genuine, positive people, and have a fairly tight-knit family. My dog is a special little guy: reminds me of Ron Burgundy's dog, a little Buddha in a fur suit. He's actually named after Bear Grylls because he's such a macho man and easy on the eyes. I tend to travel less since he's been mine, but it is all good if he's happy, he doesn't like being left out of the action and is always down for a road trip or weekend away!
*Turn-ons include spontaneity, conversation, curiosity, manners, goals, creature comforts
*Turn-offs: bad grammar, sarcasm and crude humor, bad drivers, perfectionism, anything hipster-ish, living strictly by the book/status quo/rules
I'm passionate about history, the environment and health, good design. I'm more relaxed than high energy--if you're shy we probably aren't a match but if you're at all hyper that hasn't been great either :). If you talked to my friends, they'd tell you I was fun, loyal, enthusiastic, a 'realistic optimistic', honest/frank/opinionated, roll with the punches, sweet, emotional, both progressive and old fashioned (I am very domestic, happiest at home as long as I occasionally travel, and romantic, need a man to have a lot of backbone and confidence/masculinity to balance me), frequently silly, an enthusiastic cook, have high standards, equal parts introvert and extrovert. I love being on or near the water. I crave stability/routine and yet am always up for something new (need variety, some change is a good thing as is stability, not mutually exclusive), and look for that in a partner.
The main traits I look for and truly appreciate in men are independence and kindness. I've learned from past relationships that for me, the ability to enjoy talking with each other is tops and translates pretty directly to sustained respect and interest. Having lots of common interests with my date are not super important to me, shared big values are. I appreciate you taking care of yourself physically, being a good friend, showing loyalty and maturity, can laugh at yourself, have the ability to 'pitch and catch' ideas, are responsible with money/able to save (I'm thrifty), decisive, goal/growth-oriented, that you don't shy away from occasional argument (I think it has a place), feel some purpose and expertise in what you do for a living, affection and generosity are a big deal to me. I always find it attractive when a man is flexible and resilient enough to manage well in all sorts of situations that come up in life!
