Dry facts: I was born and raised in St. Paul, MN and then moved around for 20 years while serving in the Air Force, living in various places including Europe and Australia . I moved to the St. Louis metro east area in January 2001 when I retired from the service. I wrote software in the service and still do it now, working for a small defense contractor. I was married over 14 years, separated in 2005, and divorced in 2006. No kids. Most people consider me friendly, intelligent and polite. I enjoy conversation and laughter and have a self-deprecating sense of humor. My friends like to tease and make fun of me, and I admit I enjoy it too. I started taking Swing Dance lessons a few years ago when I became single and absolutely love it. I'm a regular at the Concord Farmer's Club (West County Swing Dance Club) on Tuesday nights. I enjoy all sorts of music, but Blues are probably my favorite. I prefer open, outdoor concert venues in the summertime (festivals), but also enjoy dancing in local bars even though I don’t drink or smoke. I stay pretty busy, but make time to be in the company of people I enjoy. Other interests include going to live theater, museums, travel, et cetera. I’m not into watching sports nor am I a biker, handyman, mechanic or cowboy. I have nothing against any of those things, but it's not me. I feel very comfortable in biker bars, but I don't ride. I don't mind watching a game with friends, but won't turn it on for myself or even know who is in the playoffs. I pay people to work on my car if it's needed and have friends in the construction trades to advise me on minor home maintenance things. As for horses, I haven't ridden once since I embarred myself at summer camp when I was 9 years old. I had gotten in the "already know how to ride" line because another kid told me they were "automatic". When the horse didn't move after they set me on it, they took me back off and that was the end of my pony ride. I was traumatized. A first meeting and a first date are not necessarily the same thing for me. I’m not comfortable agreeing to a full-fledged "date" on a first meeting. Although I try to make a good first impression, renting a horse-drawn carriage for a romantic ride under the moonlight might be overkill if you decide within seconds of meeting me that you simply can’t stand the way my lip quivers when I’m nervous and that you wouldn’t kiss me even if I was the very last frog on earth. I prefer a first meeting to be more casual, with fewer expectations, in a safe and neutral environment with the advanced understanding that even two wonderfully attractive and magnificent people may not "click" with each other. Maybe coffee, lunch or ice cream somewhere in "come as you are" casual clothing.