Date men from United States / California / Berkeley, 54 year old

Date someone special from California, United States. Genuine, exuberant and down to earth. Honestly, I am really 6'6" (so few of you are "searching" for men that are my height so I "scaled" myself back, so to speak, to get into your "searches". Sorry, but what's a few inches here or there?!) and yes, this is my full head of real hair and yes, I have all my real teeth and yes, I am truly "available" for a real, mutually exclusive relationship! Yes, you heard right!
Please be careful for what you ask; you just might get it/him! I liken this to the little dog that chases the car down the road: what the heck is he gonna do when the car stops! He's clue-less! Just like a ton of folks out here on MATCH. They have no idea what to do once they come across a real, genuine person. ;-)
I have been and continue to teach/counsel my daughter that she should be very proud of herself and to not waste her time with people that don't treat her the way her dad does: with respect, kindness and genuine concern for her well-being, amongst other things. I love children and, as I just mentioned, have a fabulous almost 21 year old daughter. She is an absolute dream and is the best daughter a dad could ever hope for.
I have quite a few interests and many people have told me that I am an attractive and gentle-man. I exercise on a regular basis because I care about the way I feel and look! Average? Certainly not, but who believes these "descriptions" anyway? You'll have to see for yourself. Perfect? No way-hopefully you're not either! :-) I am young at heart/body/soul! I am a dependable, intelligent, trustworthy, driven person who is seeking a partner who can complement me and I her. I would like to meet someone who has the same "problem" I have: With all the time constraints, where does one go to engage in pleasant conversation, feel the vital chemistry (sorry, but will only respond to profiles w/photos. Better ones of me are coming.) that is essential in a loving and trusting relationship without going to those lonely and sad bars? Why settle for anyone that won't treat you like you're the only one in the world? Why deal with dishonest people? I suppose we must start here. So let's get started-we deserve the best life has to offer.
Admittedly "borrowed", but love it:
Two wolves exist inside us all. One is evil-anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, ego and superiority. The other is good ?joy, hope, peace, serenity, humility, kindness,... benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. Which wolf wins? The one you feed.

Meet single man from California, United States. First, full disclosure: if you’re looking for a rowdy extrovert who’s always the life of the party, I might not be your guy. However, if you’re seeking a spiritual, compassionate soul with a sense of humor and playfulness...someone sincere, authentic, adventurous, fiercely loyal and endlessly curious about life, please read on.
I’m a low-maintenance guy who enjoys simple pleasures and authentic connection with others. Socially, I prefer small, low-key get-togethers or quiet/nurturing activities with a special friend. I consider myself stable, grounded and comfortable in my own skin. My spiritual practice and love of nature form the foundation of my life. I have a regular meditation practice and attend various workshops, classes and retreats related to Eastern spirituality and personal growth. I don’t take anything for granted and try to live my life with a spirit of gratitude – for my health, my family, my friends, all the Bay Area has to offer…and so much more! My spirituality also pervades my environmental work through groups such as Green Sangha and Transition Berkeley -- groups I can go into detail about later. (I might add that I’m an imperfect human being who has a lot to learn, but I’d like to think of myself as a “diamond in the rough.”)
Physical activity is important to me. In addition to running and exercise, I hike extensively in the Bay Area and know the trails pretty well. To say I "love" hiking doesn't quite describe the nurturing connection I feel along the trails of e.g. Point Reyes, Briones Regional Park or Mount Diablo. I recently returned to backpacking as well.
I love spending time in small groups where people share what's important in their lives. I'm a student of non-violent communication (NVC) and co-counseling, and have discovered that deeply listening to other's feelings and needs is one of the greatest gifts we can offer each other.
And Music! As a youth, I was an aspiring pianist. I still play piano a little and am currently learning to play the mandolin. I like all kinds of music (new age and some classical, in particular, stirs me) but there's always room for some of the classics from my childhood (Bridge over Troubled Water,Hey Jude, Leaving on a Jet Plane, and many others from the post-Presley, pre-Disco era.) Oh, and can't forget cooking...Since becoming single again, I discovered how much I enjoy it and have slowly increased my repertoire of vegetarian and fish dishes. When I really need to veg out I immerse myself in -- I hate to admit it :( -- sci-fi, Star Trek and word-puzzles.
I'm looking for a kindred spirit...Someone who wants to be friends first but is open to evolving chemistry. Someone who is mature, spiritually grounded (but not above being silly at times), loves being in nature, comfortable with her life direction, committed to growing, evolving and making a difference in the world, intellectually curious, possessing a spirit of shared exploration, who values honest communication but is equally comfortable sharing moments of silent loving presence, and is not afraid of a man expressing his feelings. (Of course, having a sense of humor about the irrationalities of life helps too!)
My hope is that we can respect each other's space while at the same time be there to support each other.