Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

-Frank Sinatra.

It's easy, and perhaps commonplace, to post something all rosy, and perfect, in an attempt to connect with someone and possibly build a relationship.

I see that as the easy way out. I've tried that, and it isn't me.

I also refuse to post something inappropriate. I'm looking for a relationship, not an OF.

So, as I contemplate taking an extended break from these and all similar subs, I thought I'd "go out" on a brutally honest note.

I am not perfect. Life is amazing now, but it hasn't always been.

Now, at 50, I can look back on the many mistakes I made, and the bumpy rode I took to get to this point.

So, yes, regrets, I've had a few.

First, I regret some career choices. After a decade and a half in non-profits, specifically museum exhibit design and artifact management, I left that world in 2010 for the for profit world. While occasionally rewarding, and I admire those that can make a go in museum work, in the end it wasn't for me, and I struggled for many years to make a go of it, only to realize that, in the end, I needed to eat and pay my bills. So, I regret not getting into the field I am in now, healthcare IT and data analysis, earlier than the past 15 years. Hindsight as they say....

Second, I regret my relationship choices. I wasted a lot of with the wrong people. As a younger bloke I definitely felt the pressure to find someone and settle down, and that definitely dictated who I ended up dating and the long term relationships I had. There are a ton of the wrong people out there, and in my past they tended to gravitate to me, or me to them. Case in point: I spent 9 years with a gaslighting emotionally abusive covert narcissist. That's a mouthful, right? Oh, it was all rosy and amazing at first, but not too long in she showed her true colors. Catching her with the UPS man in early 2022 was the final straw for me, and I removed all that toxicity from my life. After some soul searching, and a bit of therapy, I find myself more at peace and happy with myself that I have ever been. That is not something I was able to feel, or admit, in my 20s and 30s, even in my early 40s. No more, I am the best I've ever been.

So, yes, I wanted you to know where I am coming from.

At 50, how do I feel about love?

I'm still a romantic at heart, and only occasionally roll my eyes at the hallmark channel movie commercials I see on my YouTube TV stream.

I would LOVE to find the right person, someone I can utilize the benefit of my years of experience with, and build something real. REAL. As in we feel right from almost the start, how we share our very souls with each other. How we talk, flirt, make plans, where the first date is a mere formality instead of an uncertainty.

I still think that is possible for me, and for us all, but I am also of the mindset at this stage in my life that if it does not happen, that is fine as well.

I have my rewarding career in healthcare. I have my Shelter Cats Podcast which I founded and host, and I have my 7 cats in my cozy apartment on Long Island.

I have my core group of good friends, and I have my passions: from podcasting to tech to fixing old computers to watching too many travel YouTubes.

If this brutally honest and admittedly long post resonated with you, reach out.

I ask that you be from the U.S., and preferably from the east coast. I'm cool with west coast as well.

I ask that you be ready for something real. Age is but a number, connection is key.

I ask that you do not ghost or go strange after a day. I've had too much of the red flags to line 10 airport runways.

I ask that you be cool with moving to a better platform in short order.

If you read this far, thank you, and please tell me about you. I won't reply to messages with just "hi."

Also put the word cat in your reply.

Thank you, and be kind to one another.