Re: #38 (not as far down as you might expect)...

By all means, I want a woman with a brain in her head. I want a woman who doesn't instantly agree with me on everything. I want a woman who can stand up to me if I deserve being stood up to. I want a woman who I can talk with about anything, especially deep stuff because that's what's important to me (but also the casual stuff as well), and I want her to be able to do the same. I want her to decide for herself what she does with her life -- I'll just be happy to be a part of it.

And by golly, I don't want a bubbly, giggly airhead who wears pretty dresses all the time and talks about girl stuff. I've known someone who's like that for years and I 've never been attracted to her. I know someone else who started off normal and whom I liked, then she degraded into one of those gigglers and I lost all interest.

There was a time when I had the Prince Charming complex. Wanted to rescue some damsel and sweep her off her feet. Then I met one, and you know what? When I was done rescuing her, when she was able to stand on her own, she left, because she didn't need me anymore. I'll still help those who need it, but I no longer find it romantic to be dating a fixer-upper, and I want any woman I pursue to be able to stand on her own before I start. And I will help her through the hard times that no one could handle on their own, because everyone has those and that's what friends and family should be there for, but I'll be all the more proud of her of every challenge she takes down without me. When she doesn't need me, that's when I'll know she wants me.

I am a guy who's interested in an equal relationship.