Why is dating in your 30s so hard? I sometimes feel like I'm rolling up to the train station with my roll-around suitcase, super eager to go on the vacation of a lifetime, only to find out the train has already left. Six years ago I had a medical scare with my vision that "took me off the market," and while everything is mostly sorted now it just feels like I missed out on the best years for meeting my Princess Charming. I'm a romantic at heart and deep down I know you're out there. Just please, let's find each other before we turn 50.

I am retired. Odin gave his eye for knowledge, I gave half of an eye for early retirement. It is a service connected autoimmune disorder I got when in Pakistan 14 years ago. I just figure it's going to come up eventually, so better to do it sooner than later.

Now on to the fun stuff. I love stories. The canvas on which they are provided doesn't matter to me. Movies, TV shows, books, manga, video games, smoke signals, whatever. I go to the movie theater 2-3 times a month. I think I enjoy the critiquing more than the actual watching. What would I have done differently? What did I like or dislike? Why did I enjoy this character more than that one? Same with books. Although, lately I'm more hung up on how authors have a tendency to rush out the ending. It's like once they solve the overarching conflict their mind isn't in the closing. That and it's interesting to read multiple books from the same author and see how they grow as a writer. Fantasy is more my jam but I'm trying to branch out for curiosity's sake.

I do play video games, which seems to be the deal breaker / maker on reddit. Currently I'm going through my steam library trying to find something to hold my interest. That and FFXIV. FF scratches my social itch. I'm totally down to try anything co-op, just as long as it isn't a MOBA. Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive is what I'm currently reading, also trying to squeeze in Frankenstein before October is over. My favorite band is probably Dream Theater; Mike Portnoy is a magician on the drums. Stonesour is up there too; Corey Taylor will go down in history as one of the greatest singers. Tool too, some of those songs are absolute masterpieces.

Lastly, I'll end with the physical stuff. [Here is a pic of me](https://i.imgur.com/GXHubQK.jpeg). I'm 6', 170lbs and I would like my partner to be of a similar fitness. I would very much appreciate a picture in return. I absolutely SUCK at small talk. I will do my best but I can not be the only one engaging the conversation, or it will die. Not very experienced at this, so I ask for patience and maybe a little guidance, lol.