Edited by Kim Schneider; Stories by Emily Garvey, Lauren Hennen, Christina Ipavec, Kristin Majcher, Rebecca Meiser, Brittany Moffat, Beth Stallings, Carly Toyzan and Aaron Yeager
Tim Walker, 28 Campaign specialist, Cleveland Museum of Art
The perfect date: My perfect date is just one that involves great conversation, getting to know one another. I think it can happen a lot of ways, a lot of different places. But I think a perfect date is one when you never look at your watch.
Something most people don’t know about me: As a child I performed at the White House twice for president Clinton and Hillary Clinton. It was in a performance group, [Cabaret Troupe], that performed two years for Easter at the White House. I’ve met the last few presidents.
My cell phone: BlackBerry Storm
Biggest turn-on: Confidence
Biggest turnoff: Dishonesty
I own too many: Shoes
My favorite … place in Cleveland: My parents’ house in Hunting Valley. It’s peaceful. It seems like an escape from the city. I’m there about once a week. I try to make time for family — it’s important. … sports team: Cleveland Indians … book:The Great Gatsby. I always like the melancholy theme that runs through it. And that the party has to end at some point. … vacation destination: Barcelona, Spain. I was there in 2006 and once before. I love it. I love the energy of the city. It’s so beautiful and alive. Great culture, the people are great, the weather’s great, the architecture, the Gaudi. … dessert: Creme brulee. The cliché, creme brulee. Actually, I’m going to change my mind. Best dessert ever, if we’re going anywhere in the world, would be a chocolate soufflé by Jean George in New York. … blog: I read a lot of blogs. gawker.com, D Listed and Toleroad. I read all of those daily. Toleroad is a gay blog, stuff from the gay perspective.
Facebook: yes or no? Yes, it’s an easy way for me to keep in touch with all the people spattered across the globe that I know. It makes it so much easier to tap in, to find out what’s going on in their lives, to share what’s going on in mine.
My usual hangout: Luxe. You can usually find me at Luxe to start a night and then Tremont and Ohio City.
In high school I was … all over the place. I was involved in everything. I kept very busy. I did track; I was in the choir; I was in a number of clubs, student government.
My passion: The drive to make the world a better place
My best feature: I have to say my sense of humor. Other people might argue with that.
My bad habit: Not being able to say no
My first kiss: It was in sixth grade playing spin the bottle in a friend’s basement. Nothing terribly exciting or romantic but certainly awkward.
My guilty pleasure: The Real Housewives franchise on Bravo
How my ex would describe me: Unforgettable
Blonds or brunets: Either, but I’m typically drawn to dark hair.
Going out or staying in: Depends on my mood. I love to go out, but I also love to spend a quiet night at home with good takeout, a bottle of wine and a stack of movies and Netflix. But by nature, I’m a very social person.
Early, late or right on time: Right on time. I’m pretty easy going [if a date is late], but there is a window of appropriate lateness.
Dogs or cats: Dogs. My family has dogs. I’m certainly not a cat person; I’m allergic.
My longest relationship: Four years. It ended in 2004.
Beer, wine or martinis: Martinis. I like a Grey Goose dirty topped with bleu cheese, stuffed olives. That’s my drink.
Roses or chocolates: Neither. Something less cliché that speaks to the individual.
My No. 1 dating rule: I don’t like rules. I keep myself open.
My deal-breaker: Someone who is inconsiderate and selfish
I hate when a date orders … Nothing. If they like it, go for it.
Worst pickup line: I find it not particularly interesting when someone just says, “You look hot.” I need more than that. Granted, it might be true, but I need something more to get it started.
If I could marry anyone: Well, I would have to move to a country that allows gays to marry since we have not established marriage equality in this country yet. And then hopefully, somebody who would make me happy. Someone intelligent, intense.
On a first date I never … Never say never. Every day is different. I just kind of go with the flow.
Best place to meet someone: I don’t know that there’s one particularly good place to meet people. I think it’s dependent on the people. I think if you have a connection with someone wherever you are, you should be able to strike up a conversation.
Most unusual place I’ve met someone: The dentist office. We were both waiting to see the dentist and struck up a conversation, and next thing you know we had a date planned.
My take on Cleveland’s single scene: I think it is what you make of it. I think the biggest challenge is the size of our city. The number of singles isn’t comparable to larger areas. But I think in bigger cities, too, you face a lot of the same challenges.
