Oren

To know me may not be to love me, but at least be open to the possibility! Even strangers need love - and I'm probably stranger than most (in what I hope you will decide is a good way). I think that trying to appear normal (whatever that is) is highly overrated. I'm not trying to be different, I just am... even when I don't want to be.
I suppose I could be described as, among other things, your basic eccentric, enigmatic, iconoclast - which is just a fancy way of saying my thinking and perspective is often a little different than most other people's.
Whether it is really true or not, I believe that everything happens for a reason. I don't believe there are any accidents. Regardless of how you found me, I'm glad you did! If we have not met already, please introduce yourself.
I'm a first-born ENTP Aquarius 27/9 (Enneagram) 7 (with an 8-wing) Bernese Mountain Dog born in the Year of the Water Rabbit/Cat. I don't particularly like cats, but a LOT of them sure seem to like me (for reasons I have yet to figure out)! I prefer dogs, trees, children and WOMEN! I definitely like and am attracted to female humans. Few women seem to have ANY idea of just how (truly) beautiful they really are (inside or out). I wish it was easier to share/tell them (or others) without it being misinterpreted or misconstrued - instead of just recognizing, appreciating and acknowledging how wonderful I perceive them to be.
Although I can usually find something good and/or desirable wherever I look, I perceive both beauty and the Divine most easily in the female form. And my favorite form of all is definitely human! Like most humans, I have certain preferences, but that hasn't stopped me from being attracted to, interested in, and/or REALLY liking, loving, admiring, appreciating, being friends with, and even marrying women who are QUITE different. So, if YOU are AT ALL interested in ME (or know someone who might be), PLEASE do NOT be shy.... Let me know! I'm "available", open and EAGER for a "partner" (who might find my looks, brains and personality attractive and appealing)!
Other than my innate curiosity, I am probably most motivated by connection. Patterns, relationships, sharing, contributing, belonging, making a (positive) difference (of some kind), and making things fit (better/together) are of great interest and importance to me. For whatever it's worth (or may mean), I "share" a birthday with Bob Marley, Babe Ruth, and Ronald Reagan.
According to one on-line personality test I am supposed to be a Shy Idealist. This might be true, but a lot of people don't think I'm shy at all - and may even think I'm quite an adventurer. I am also supposed to be a Pitta-Vata, (Rayid) Flower, Explorer/Director with a (DISC) millionaire's hook - and once you get me talking, you might wonder if/when I'll ever stop. At least you'll probably learn and/or laugh a lot - and won't EVER be bored!
I'm more auditory and kinesthetic than visual, yet I often tend to see the "big picture" (more than most). This could be due to greater sensitivity and awareness or just because of what I look at, focus on and pay attention to. My global, concrete-random approach tends to more easily gravitate toward the role of the black, green and/or white "thinking hat" more than the red, yellow, or blue). I love ideas and innovation but actions, experience and results mean more to me than words, education or intent (alone).
Although I can be open-minded, indecisive or undecided about quite a few things, I am also apparently just as often fairly insightful, well-informed and opinionated. I am often surprised that others lack awareness or much understanding of so much of what seems obvious to me. Conversely, my having a slightly different paradigm and perspective means that it sometimes takes a while for me to grasp some things that others take for granted. I'm fairly tall, but there are still quite a few things go over my head (at first). Luckily, I'm a quick learner.
I don't like labels and tend to overlap most categories - and thus can relate to (and be accepted by) many others without actually being one of them. People often seem to feel "safe" and comfortable confiding in me and showing or telling me things they may not often share with others - probably because I do not repeat what they say or betray their trust (to others).
I know far more than I desire about broken bones, homes, hearts and dreams - both my own and others'. As a result, I am far less judgmental and far more accepting of what others may be going through. I am seldom overly impressed by “success” nor depressed or put off by “failure”.
My father was an immigrant (who survived life in the ghetto and 5 Nazi death camps as a child) who did not come to this country until he was 30, yet who speaks English better than I do (growing up here). My mother is descended from those who came to, built, and fought for this country even before it was a sovereign "nation". I am a mainly self-educated high-school drop-out who somehow, with limited formal education and no academic degree or real "credentials", often taught, coached and trained others with far more formal/academic education (and experience) than I will probably ever have. The "2-year" Associate of Science degree I eventually received took 25 years to "complete". Most of my other schooling has been practical in nature, acquisition and application. I have "earned a living" in many ways. I have worked for others as well as for myself, and I have learned quite a bit about life and "business" - including that I'm not (yet) really all that good at it (especially compared to what and who I "know").
Although I am not nearly as worldly or well-traveled as many people I've met, I have seen and spent some time in various parts of the world and can carry on a conversation, sing along to songs, or at least greet, thank and say simple things to people in quite a few languages. While I have traveled mainly on my own, I have also served in two branches of my country’s Armed Forces and "visited" a few places I may not have otherwise picked on my own. I am acutely aware of the fragility, durability, and sacredness of life.
I'm not proud of everything I have (or haven't) done, but I very much desire to be considered a good father, friend, and (hopefully) husband (again).
There are many things I have not done, and many that I have. A few that come to mind are:
I have climbed ladders, trees and mountains; dived off cliffs, rappelled down buildings, rock outcroppings, and out of helicopters. I have hiked through jungles, deserts, and swamps, skied on snow and water, skated on ice and sidewalks, swam and fished in rivers, lakes and oceans. I have been to the tops and bottoms of volcanoes, waterfalls and canyons. I have ridden horses, camels and elephants. I have broken boards with my fist, arrows with my neck, my thumb with a baseball, and even my own heart with relationships that did not “work out” as I would have preferred. I have walked across hot coals, broken glass, beams high on the air, and, upon occasion, people in my way. I have flown an airplane, a helicopter, a hot air balloon, and a hang-glider. I have bungee jumped, skydived, and packed my own parachute. I have snorkeled, SCUBA dived, and been in a submarine. I have traveled by foot, bicycle, automobile, bus, train, small plane, large jet, canoe, kayak, rowboat, raft, hovercraft, ferry and ship. I have driven trucks and trailers, military and commercial passenger vehicles, and women crazy enough to leave me.
I have worked in orchards, farms and fields, schools, factories, medical facilities, and even a circus. I have been on TV, in films, on the radio. I have led (adventure) tours; tended bar; and dealt blackjack, poker, roulette and craps. I like being outside and in nature and have studied and practiced wilderness "survival", “primitive” living skills, and (animal) tracking. I have hunted, fished, trapped, grown, gathered, prepared and eaten everything from acorns and insects to rabbits and deer - and yet only tried things like frogs and snails in fancy restaurants. My preferred diet features lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish.
I have extensive training, experience and expertise in numerous styles, modalities and approaches of bodywork, fitness, nutrition, and "holistic" health, in addition to emergency and orthopedic medical care. I give a very good Thai-Shiatsu-DeepTissue-Swedish-Myotherapy-Sportsmassage (with a LOT of other things thrown in for good measure and variety). People seem to like my touch and tell me that I have good hands. Ironically?, the body part I often like rubbed most is my feet.
If you haven't noticed by now, I like words - and know how to use them. The same is true for my body. I'm fortunate to (naturally?) be fairly "athletic" and have played quite a few sports, practiced martial arts, and even taught, competed and performed ballroom dancing professionally. I enjoy both music and movement, but what appeals to me most about dance is the partnership (required). I'd also much rather have a woman in my arms than just dance alone!
I've long been fascinated by how different people are; not just in how they look and move, but also how they think and live. I am convinced that, despite all that sets us apart, as individuals, genders, societies and/or nations, we have far more in common with each other (and other species). I like variety and diversity - and have never believed that there is ONE "right" way (for anything). I have studied a wide variety of personality typing systems and other ways people attempt to understand and explain the world around them - and am fairly comfortable reconciling and making use of alternative perspectives.
While I am not a natural salesman, I am familiar with the strategies, principles, techniques and methods of many marketing mavens, creative copywriters, and successful negotiators. I have helped others package, buy or sell various things with THEIR best interests in mind. Most people seem to trust me. Many seem to like me. Some seem interested in me (or what I might offer them). A few more so than others. I have attended a variety of business, marketing and personal growth classes and seminars over the years and so have a lot of “knowledge” (that for some reason I usually do not actually use myself, but am happy to share). I know or have met many of the most popular and well-known speaker and trainers - and have staffed quite a few events for them.
I have never "pastored" a congregation, but I have led a few religious services and did teach a high-school course on comparative religions. I have also herded several large flocks of REAL sheep and goats - who I think are a lot brighter and more individual than people give them credit for (being).I sometimes "know" things for no apparent reason (and used to have more "de ja vu" experiences than I was comfortable with). Despite things I may say, do, or take for granted, I do NOT consider myself "spiritual" - no matter how many people try to tell me otherwise. While I do occasionally say something profound, I doubt I'm particularly awake, or enlightened. I've never really been sure how to react when people compliment me on my presence, intelligence or wisdom, let alone my contagious smile, great hugs or sense of humor, but I DO really enjoy women asking me to dance (with them). ;-)
Politically, I suppose I'd be called an idealistic, yet pragmatic, non-partisan independent: often simultaneously liberal and conservative, yet not always on the same issues. I despise partisan politics and platforms that serve mainly to advance the positions/careers of individuals, rather than those they are supposed to represent and serve. I strongly believe in, advocate and support interdependence, mutual responsibility and service.
I have written and posted many things (regarding all sorts of subjects), mainly in response to things I have seen, heard or read elsewhere. In addition to my view on politics, military policy and involvement, relationships, and entertainment, a theme I seem to come back to often is the need to redefine what is considered an asset and/or resource so that there are no “weeds”, no “waste”, and no reason for anyone to live in Scare-City when they is clearly enough for all, when greed and fear give way to acceptance and appreciation of what is around and within – us and others (that we all too often overlook, disregard or undervalue) – myself included. I believe that we are all part of an interdependent global family and that we need to both respect and look out for one another. I also believe that along with "rights" there are responsibilities, that obstacles are often opportunities; and that "freedom" is seldom, if ever, free (from obligations).
Checkout my blogs (and bulletins) for a variety of test results, insights and opinions - on a variety to topics, issues and interests. Be sure to search the older ones, too! You'll find some that are better and/or more interesting than whatever I last happened to post. Either way, I welcome, encourage, and appreciate YOUR comments and kudos.
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