Life can be challenging, as witnessed by the destruction caused by fires in Los Angeles, where I live. Having volunteered for most of last week at Santa Anita, I had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, from those who offered their time, efforts, and donations without asking for a single penny to those who lost everything in a flash. People from all religions, classes, races, ethnicities, ages, and other identities that people often argue about came together for the common goal of helping those in need. Nobody argued about who was who. With other volunteers, I moved boxes, handed out supplies, and guided families to get what they needed, during which it became apparent that it’s important to meet different people and to go outside of one’s comfort zone, so here I am, looking to meet someone (in Los Angeles or nearby) and going outside of my comfort zone.

Volunteering plays an important role in my existence, as it has taught me more than my undergrad and grad education have. Outside of providing support for natural disasters, I also donate my time and energy to animal shelters and ranches, where I run huskies, German Shepards, and other dogs with too much energy; groom and feed horses; muck and clean horse stalls; and help with horse/dog events and other chores. As a professional in the sciences at a university, I dedicate most of my time to fixing scientific instruments, mentoring students, designing class materials, and doing research in a lab. Since I mostly work in-doors and look at computer screens often, I prefer to spend most of my free time away from a computer and rarely use social media. This post is an exception.

Here, I would be interested in connecting with a mature woman who:

1. Works to better herself, mentally and physically. There is no expectation for perfection. It’s ok to still be figuring things out, as many people are. Nobody is perfect, but the idea is, as you live your life, you’re supposed to live and grow past your mistakes. That is how I try to live. No growth without friction.

2. Has the ability to put down her phone and is able to have an in-person conversation without checking social media every couple of minutes.

3. Lives in the Los Angeles area or nearby and is open to meeting up in-person. We can meet virtually beforehand, if preferred. I would not be interested in just online chatting or texting for long periods of time.

4. Is mature enough to communicate what she wants.

5. Does not want to have biological children. Too many environmental and economical problems exist in this country that would not be great for kids.

I look forward to hearing from you. If interested, you can send an introduction about yourself. Please include more than “hello.”