Whenever I have a friend to my home (like, once every ten years), I like to show them my treasures. Not things that have any real monetary value... just things I’ve picked up on my journeys that are meaningful to me. I’m kind of like a bird who has made his nest of shiny bits of foil and colorful strings and other odds and ends.

Married for 17 years, two kids and with a job I love, you would think I would be doing ok. And in many respects I am. But I feel like I have no one in my life that I can be “me” with. I have to Dad, I have to be the rock for my anxious wife, I have to be the boss and the expert at work... and I am all of those things. But I feel like I’m more, and I very much wish I had someone I could open up to.

And I want to be that person in return. I want to be the one person who sees you as you see yourself... your humor, your passion for life, your fears. And to do it without feeling judged or needing to be anything with me. Other than you. I want you to be you and me to be me and have that be good enough for both of us.

To be a little more clear about me, I work in the nonprofit world, trying to help people succeed. I live my job and I’m good at it. I’m over-educated and have accumulated a lot of trivia in my head. I love music — there is always music playing with me, either literally or in my head. I grew up watching TV, but I don’t watch much now. I can be a dark existentialist one minute and silly the next.

I would love to have a special woman to email with, sometimes sharing personal stories, other times joking about the absurdity of the world.

I’m a complex person. Most people don’t try to figure me out. But if you try, you will find I’m passionate and earnest. I was going to say loyal, but, um, this post kind of subverts that claim, doesn’t it?

I like to laugh, but I haven’t had a really good laugh in such a long time. If I could make you laugh it would make my day; if you make me laugh, I might just write a palindrome with your name in it.

And to everyone, please stay safe during this time.