Well, I recently came across this site and thought I’d give it a try. Unfortunately, I seem to have difficulty meeting new people around the Salem area. I work full time, am a full time single dad, I generally don’t frequent the bar scene, and it probably doesn’t help that I am a bit shy. So, this seems to be one of the only avenues that I have for dating. About me: As I said, I’m a full time single dad and my daughter lives with me most of the time. I’m very independent and I generally do not mind being alone. In fact sometimes I prefer it that way. Still, it would be nice to have a companion if I could find the right person. I do not consider myself to be an average guy (but then again, who ever admits to considering themselves average). I’m not going to take photos of myself shirtless in the bathroom mirror using my cell phone, nor am I going to take self portraits with some sort of not-so-subtly contrived facial expression in an attempt to convince you how tortured, introspective, and brooding yet sensitive I am. I’m not going to leave you messages telling you how hot you are and asking you to “hit me up”. That just seems way to cliché and disingenuous to me, yet it seems to represent the vast majority of the general population on these social networking sites. I simply am who I am. While I can certainly appreciate a healthy degree of caution when it comes to meeting people online, I am not looking for a perpetual email pen pal and I can’t stand text messaging. Its fine for a quick message in certain situations, but it sucks for trying to carry on an actual conversation. I would much rather converse with another person in a more human context (e.g. actual conversation in person or on the telephone). Also, I’m not looking for alcoholics, strippers or aspiring strippers. I don’t mind an occasional drink; I like a good beer now and again, but if you have to sober up before the date (yes, I’ve experienced that one) then, I’m not your guy. My interests include music (both playing and listening to it), martial arts, yoga, books, creative arts, history, movies, poetry, intelligent conversation, camping, hiking, and fishing to name a few. I’m currently taking cles in order to finish up my bachelor’s degree. What I am attracted to: Intelligence, geekiness, talent… I seem to have an attraction for women who have an underlying flair for the macabre, but they typically tend to be the broken angel type and that almost always means trouble. Anyhow, if you’d like to know more, just message me. Thanks for reading.