Date men from United States / California / Thousand Oaks, 37 year old

Date a soulmate from Thousand Oaks, United States. I’m going to be blunt and perhaps brash... but why beat around the bush? I’m not sure anyone even reads these anyway. It seems like people are only window shopping.
I’m 37 and a successful professional who happens to be tattooed. My look... though not for everyone, is not a lack of being held enough by mom as a child, but as a reflection and extension of my experiences. In fact, after looking at them you would get a really good sense of exactly who I am and what I hold important to me. So what is that?
First and foremost… my family. I CAN NOT EVER explain how hugely important they are to me. Even in disappointment they never stop loving and supporting me. A close second is my core group of friends. My iPhone is full of numbers, but my "Favorites" section has merely a few... if you've made it there, then you are as close to family as you could less the blood relation. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my family. Next, I work in the television industry to which I view as more of a lifestyle than a job. Nevertheless, it doesn't define me. I don't do the "Hollywood" thing nor the namedropping thing. I don't care about that stuff. I care about being creative and making a living doing so. (If your job is something you dread and don’t do it with love, what’s the point?) That is really the crux of it.
At this point, let me tell you why I’m here and what I hope to give the ONE woman I look to meet.
I view this process as necessary. I don't find being online and meeting someone as something shameful. I work a ton and unfortunately do not date people I have a working relationship with. I no longer do bars/clubs so I’m left with few ways to meet someone. My expectations are high in character and heart, not necessarily looks. I have met beautiful woman who inside are gray and thus unattractive. However, I’m VERY serious about finding someone who takes care of her body and mind. I really won't bend on this... as I try very hard to be active and really enjoy the gym.
Finally, I am not here for a "hook up." I believe in romance and I believe in a relationship, and most of all in LOVE. To have that, I believe 3 components must be cherished and intact for any relationship to stand the test of time. Here they are:
Honesty: This is key to any relationship. Why lie? Love should be forgiving unless you cheat, deceive or intentionally hurt the person you love. You should also be honest with oneself… you are now thinking for two, so being honest to yourself is paramount. To be brutal is cruel… but to be honest can be kind.
Respect: Most don’t know what this even means. Respect comes in many forms… most feel relationships are 50/50. I actually don’t. I find that on some days, you may be operating at 75% and need me to contribute 125% to cut the slack, and some days I may need you to do the same. I will never count who does more or who has more… we are partners. I also will be the one who will never chastise you in public, I may disagree with point or position, but I respect you enough to tell you in private. Respect also comes by way of feeling. So often we expect others to either read our mind or anticipate something… this almost always leads to disaster. If we respect one another we realize that this can be an unrealistic expectation.
Trust:
I compare Honesty, Respect, and Trust to the 3 legs of a stool. If you break any one of the 3 legs, the stool will collapse. Equate that to a relationship and the same will happen. By no means does this guarantee a relationship to be perfect… for that takes work and selflessness. But it’s a foundation and we often forget that when looking for love so vigorously.
Finally if you are still reading this… you might think I’m either an egocentric maniac or the greatest guy ever. Well, I will be honest… I’m neither. I am Chip! I take my relationships and life seriously, but not so much to where I can’t have fun. But the fun comes when you email me and respond in kind!!! :)