Why should you get to know Smiles_Better_M?

First, sorry re main pic: 8 yrs old- site won't accept recent pics as primary photos. The others are from Easter & June 2007

If you're still there(!): I'm cheerful, optimistic, easy-going, kind, considerate, honest, intelligent, open-minded, unselfish, communicative, affectionate. Try to be non-judgmental (& manage most of the time!). Easy to get on with. Can be scatty!

Love comedy: silly, clever, wordy (standup, Seinfeld, Frasier, Cheers, Father Ted, Naked Gun); cinema (arthouse, foreign, the odd blockbuster); theatre (not too heavy).
Music-mad: Razorlight, Tom Baxter, Feist, Madeleine Peyroux, Ravel, Smetana. Play guitar badly but good singer!
Would like to learn to draw (used to do it as a kid)

I like travel & other cultures, but don't travel to tick off boxes on a to-see list. I'm a translator, and when I travel I try to learn some of the language so I get a different experience from my monoglot compatriots! Prefer small local hotels to nondescript luxury ones.

Omnivore but prefer healthy food (+ chocolate & chips!). I keep fairly fit. Swim & work out but not obsessively. Like salsa - you can't dance to that music without smiling! I'd love to live close to water & do more activities like water-skiing, sailing, diving, windsurfing, kayaking, etc

Financially secure (mortgage paid off) but not materialistic. Frustrated creative.

Well-mannered (& like it in others) & take pride in my appearance.

I read lots (useful for commuting): Independent; fiction & non-fiction; Jasper Fforde (silly but clever!), Danny Wallace, Miles Kington (RIP)

I've a smashing 16yo son whom I love very much (& he knows it!). He's clever, kind, considerate, handsome - the girls are already circling! But enough about him - this is MY profile! (Would be great if you had a child his age)

I'm Scottish with Irish grandparents, living in London (can't think of a Welsh connection to complete the UK quartet, but give me time!).

He describes his ideal match thus:

Someone I'd enjoy doing my best for, making them happy, helping them reach their goals.
Someone easy-going, considerate, gentle, honest, reasonable, not shallow.
Someone attractive & sexy, with a nice smile and nice eyes.
Someone I'd be proud to be seen with.
Someone I can talk to easily & naturally.
A friend, companion, lover to share those everyday things that become fun when done together (e.g. cooking)!
Someone altruistic - even if (like me!) you sometimes fall short of your ideals!
Not brash or pretentious.
Someone who likes teenagers! (Don't worry: my son is the easiest person in the world to get on with!)
It would be great to meet 'The One' but, being realistic, I'd consider it a success if I met someone who turned out to be a good friend.