It is not often that your path crosses with someone that is an ideal fit... that you make that perfect connection with another. That's why so many are alone with their thoughts and feelings. I am eternally optimistic that there is someone for me as there is someone for you. Now perhaps you and I am a match for each other, and maybe we are not. Time will tell. To me though, the journey and the discovery are part of the fun. It is my desire that we both take the time to learn about each other to see if we connect. Take my hand for the next few minutes as I extend myself to you so that you can learn more about me.

I know it is not easy communicating with someone new. It does take courage to respond, expose your ideas and yourself. I know now - even as I am writing this letter to you - that I am measuring my words because I do not yet really know you. Slugs, I admire the initiative that you showed by responding to me. You could have chosen another or none at all. Without that, we would not be in contact at this moment and I would not have the opportunity of meeting the warm person that your profile seems to reflect. Thank you for stepping forward.

Not a movie star but remarkably attractive: Allow me to formally introduce myself to you. My name is ArtFag. I am white. I am 38 years old, 6' tall and I weigh 165 pounds. I have full dark hair and clear piercing blue eyes. I am educated and secure without the stuffed shirt or the Ph.D. I am elated that I am now finished rattling off the statistics, though I should presume that you know them already. But they are worth repeating so you can determine if we are reasonably physically compatible. That means that I am primarily interested in a woman that is less than 145 pounds. I know that this may sound shallow to you, but I am confident that your interest would probably diminish to zero if, for example, I weighed 500 pounds. Fortunately, for my heart and furniture I don't (and never have) carry such a crushing mass.

The dichotomy: I believe that hypocrisy is the lubricant of society - while recognizing that everyone is hypocritical to some extent since no one is 100 percent consistent. This knowledge does not debase the fact, Slugs; I do not like hypocrisy since it is so damn sanctimonious. If these statements confuse you, I'm certain that you are not alone. They confuse me as well because they manifest a conspicuous paradox. This topic may spark some interesting controversial conversation between us in the future. But I'm mentioning it here because I need to tell you that I am not judgmental. I am sensitive in grasping the notion of the awesome burden of judgment. I wrestle with the temptation of judging others by doing my best to avoid it, succeeding most of the time-which only serves to make me the hypocrite I dislike when I fail by passing judgment on another.

My view of life's purpose: There is only one purpose for all of life, and that is for you and all that lives to experience fullest glory. Everything else you say, think, or do is attendant to that function. There is nothing else for your soul to do, and nothing else your soul wants to do. The wonder of this purpose is that it is never-ending. An ending is a limitation, and life's purpose is without boundary. The more you are, the more you can become, and the more you can become, the more you can yet be. I believe that the deepest secret is that life is not a process of finding... but a process of creation. You are not "finding" yourself, but creating yourself anew. Seek, therefore, not to discover out Who You Are, seek to determine Who You Want to Be.

Arbitrage: A person who spots seams in markets, buying and selling, in one virtual stroke is executing arbitrage. Trading, using an arbitrage strategy, could be done with securities, commodities, currencies, contracts, derivatives, equipment, options, warrants, real estate or other types of assets, real or imagined (that's right, arbitrage often transpires where nothing of value exists, but that is usually not the case). Hypothetically for instance, if gold's striking price is $320.00 an ounce in New York and $320.75 in Zurich at the same time it poses an imbalance in the market and offers an opportunity whereby the simultaneous buying and selling of 10,000 ounces could produce a $7500 profit. Although this is a simplistic example, it illustrates what arbitrage is and what I do for a living.

Mystery Writer Seeks Lady in Red: I have always relished the concept of expressing myself through writing. Regrettably, I am not a famous novelist. I would love to write a murder mystery. I do, however, write down ideas that express a point of view allowing the reader to see through my mind's eye. I am a writer, a mystery to you, Slugs... a man who imagines that you look provocative in red, a fantasy waiting to be fulfilled. Tell me this is so! In fact, should we meet I pray that you wear a red dress... shimmering to the hilt, color-coordinated with long red fingernails, nude sheer hose and red pumps. I cannot yet visualize what a red dress may look like on you over a candle lit dinner. Please though, extend your mercy on my soul and spare me the pain of seeing you first in gray pinstriped suit when we meet, if I promise not to dribble Creme Brule or Dulce de Leche on your red dress while feeding you desert. Please describe to me what you imagine our first encounter to be in your next e-mail.

My search is for a young adult woman who is sick and tired of playing games with disenfranchised "boys" who are usually broke, in-debt or both, and wants to be treated like a lady with respect and appreciation, a woman who can give as well as take. The operative word here is "woman" as in someone who is reasonably mature, but has not forgotten the excitement and anticipation of being young. Does that sound like you? Tell me. But this does not mean that I am serious all the time? No. I have a remarkable sense of humor. I love to have fun and do things spontaneously.

Where I live? I live just west of La-La Land. Yes, Slugs, I am fully aware of the fact that we do not live next door. However, when you stop and think about it, you would realize that I am only a short time away from you by air. I have both the means and motivation to travel to visit the right woman, but I am not intrusive. Further, I believe it is quintessentially exhilarating and engaging meeting someone from afar that you would probably never meet any other way. Would you like to share with me your opinion about this?

One of my favorite quotes: "Happiness lies in the taste, and not in the things; and it from having what we desire that we are happy - not from having what others think desirable." - Duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680)

My expression about sharing my good fortune: I have been involved in the markets since I age 18. I have accumulated much since then. I am forthright and have much to offer the right lady. I have the resources and inclination to make such a connection with a young woman. I am confident that I could enhance a woman's life and improve her circumstances.

It's a universal law - we have to give before we get. We must plant the seeds before we reap the harvest. The more we sow, the more we reap. And in giving to others, we find ourselves blessed. The law works to give us back more than we have sown. The giver's harvest is always full.

I have communicated to you, Slugs, by offering you a glimpse into my mindset and life. But alas this letter is notably incomplete and I do confess my omissions were intentional. Then again would you expect less from a "Mystery Writer"? I now await a response from my "Lady in Red" before revealing more.

p.s. Without trying to seem callous or superficial, I must convey that I have attached my photos so that you can quickly determine if I resemble what you may be seeking from a physical standpoint. Further, I am requesting now that you e-mail me your photo to artfag@lalaland.com. Slugs, if you have one scanned that you can email me now that would be great. I would appreciate that. Thank you in advance for your follow through with this request. I am looking forward to your reply to my letter.