Officially old (seven friggin' decades). Have reached a point in life where I have time for myself and would like to enjoy it with a nice (human) companion. I am a college graduate (Cornell University); a veteran (Marines); and have had quite a variety of "occupations". Among them are; teacher (secondary school and college), construction worker (welder/pipefitter), engineer, census worker (2010 census), and even lifeguard (back in the dark ages). My thoughts as to the characteristics of a potential companion are fairly brief. A person with a sense of humor is essential. I tend to prefer women on the slender side of average; but it's not a hard and fast rule. The whole person is what's important, not just the sum of a bunch of attributes. I am looking for someone geographically close enough that we can get to know each other through a dating relationship. It's flattering for me to receive messages from young women far away; but I have already raised two families, and am not looking to start a third. I have no problem meeting someone with children, I just don't want to start over again (at my age, it probably wouldn't be fair to any offspring). If you have been "matched" with me but I have not contacted you; it is most likely because of geographical distance.