Hello. My name is Geoff.

But you can call me Buddy. It's a special name -- for special people.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Let me introduce myself.

Physically I'm about 6 foot 1 inch tall but often I feel much much shorter.

I've always thought of myself as smaller than I really am. -- I used to get upset

when I was a young boy that when we played hide-n-go-seek, the best hiding places

were way too small for me to get into. I'd look at, say, the dollhouse and think

to myself, "you can hide there" and then I'd get caught while I was trying to

squeeze my somewhat chubby 8-year old self into there.

My hair is mostly black - or more accurately dark brown -- but lately it's begun

to get spots that are quite a bit lighter. Well, okay - it's gray -- and it makes me look

older than I am. Personally I like it. Salt & Pepper is what I'm hoping for -- well

at least before it all falls out. And it IS beginning to fall out (at least in the front).

I have a receding hairline. I don't much mind it -- it seems sortta natural & so I keep

my hair cut almost military-short. Believe me it's MUCH better than one of those

God-awful comb-overs!!! J

Frequently I wear baseball caps. Others have told me that I look attractive in a cap

and I enjoy wearing them. (Secretly I wonder if it isn't the caps' which are "rubbing"

off the hair on either side of my forehead!)

As of this writing I weigh 178 pounds (to be exact!). That's down from nearly

280 pounds back this past February! I started exercising regularly back then and

without a whole lot of effort the weight has just fallen off. I've cut back over 12 inches in my waistline alone!!! WOOF!!! Man I am looking GOOD! -- and getting good looks too.

It's great to feel this good about my body and get this much attention.

My motto has become L G N (Look Good Nekkid!!!). -- And it's working! (Despite all my exercise, once-in-a-while, more and more rarely, I do still smoke a cigarette or two -- but I AM

working on giving that up completely.) I look and feel much younger than I have in

years!

And speaking of years -- chronologically I'm 36 years old. Once someone told me that I

had "ancient eyes" so I suppose my soul may be very very old. At times I'm quite sure that

the overwhelming sense of deja-vu I get is because I've lived the experience once before.

Either way it doesn't really matter how old I am because I don't FEEL old at all. In fact

My passion for life, love, and learning is as great now as ever before. I relish the opportunity

to learn about and/or experience new things.

But that's enough of a description of this shell that houses me! For I am more -- much much

more than you could ever know by sight or words alone.

I have a kind soul. A loving spirit. I cry when it's appropriate (and at patriotic commercials -- okay - call me a sap!) and I feel the emotional pain of others very deeply. I'm a worrier, a thinker, a feeler, a talker. I enjoy being outside. I love animals (and even a special dog named Buster - although he does get on my nerves sometimes).

I'm stable - emotionally and financially. By all accounts, I am a bright, inquisitive, sensitive, and loving fellow. And sometimes I'm a bit too analytical.

I support others when they need it and I offer my friendship easily but not casually. Only special people get to enter my life and stay. I am critical -- but not nearly as much of others as of myself. I expect a lot from myself. I hold myself to a very high standard and I believe in constantly trying to improve.

I have a good job and a college degree (or two). I enjoy reading but don't spend near as much time doing it as I would like (and am secretly envious of those who make the time!). I am goal-oriented and driven -- but I can handle shifting priorities and changing goals just as easily as changing clothes.

I can handle a hammer, screwdriver, wrench, and pliers like a pro. I know proper safety with power tools. I like to refinish furniture. And I can cook some really good white-chicken enchiladas (but haven't for some reason in years) -- but stay away from my disastrous French Toast!!!

Sometimes I'm indecisive -- at the last minute before leaving the house, I may go through the whole closet before I find that "just-right" combination of clothes for the mood I'm in. And I can be that way with people too. My friends know this about me and tend to be patient and kind. They understand that much of my indecision comes from my desire to be perfect - but more often than not, it comes from my feelings of my insecurity (like my realization that I can never really live up to my own expectations).

I have open arms. And I love to share hugs. I have always enjoyed the human touch -- and despite having had a very bad person 'touch' me in a bad way once, with patience and love, I was taught how to snuggle!!! And I really like it!!! J

I too have fears -- fears of failing (and succeeding) -- fear of the dark -- of being physically hurt (again) -- of being alone. Over the years I've begun to address these fears and for the most part I can cope with the oh-too-familiar choking and fluttering feelings I get inside when confronted with uncomfortable situations like those. I like to keep a night-light in every room.

But I am dogged, determined and persistent. I do not run away from difficult issues. I am confrontive and communicative and sincere -- I talk through things till I'm blue-in-the-face. Sometimes my mouth moves faster than my thoughts but my heart is always true. I am the kind of person you can always count on to be honest -- and frequently direct and/or blunt. I've been hostile and hateful at times, manipulative and controlling at others -- but always my intentions are clear -- loving and hopeful.

I'm the kind of friend and lover that lasts a lifetime. Someone that gives his heart completely.

I am patient. -- Of all the things I am -- this is the one thing I definitely am -- patient.

I am forgiving and trustworthy. And I trust others easily. I am seldom naïve -- I am experienced with people. I'm a watcher. I watch and study people -- I learn from seeing what they do -- mimicking the behaviors I think are good and seeing the outcomes of their less-desirable behaviors so that I can avoid these myself.

I try hard. I work daily. I am continuously trying to improve myself (lately I'm trying to drop the "F"-word from my vocabulary), to listen more, to be open to new ideas. I am in a constant state of growth.

I am a loving person, a true friend, and a quality partner.

Yes, I am human too. Not perfect -- but willing to flex --

and willing to try. Willing to heal the rift between us.

I am a special person! -- You can call me BUDDY.