SWF seeks Prince Charming with which to live Happily Ever After

I'm just not cut out for life as a recluse. Although knitting in front of the TV is nice, too much of a good thing makes it less good. It's especially not-good when it's done alone. Between my folks being away (they're back later this week! yay!), my best local friend having been swept off her feet this summer and thus has no time for me (don't get me wrong, I'm super happy for her, it just inconveniences me), and H's son having a nasty virus keeping them both home, I've had waaaaay too much time to be alone. More friends would be good, but to be frank, I'm also rather tired of being single.

So. What am I looking for in my knight in shining armour? Let me think.

I think I prefer comfortably-broken-in armour to shining. Shining implies a bit too much emphasis on the surface than the substance. The horse can be white, black, brown, dapple grey... anything, really. (I've always thought palominos look rather odd, but my fondness for horses is too much to hold that against them.)

Locality: local. Long-distances didn't help the last two relationships (hrm... make that four, which would be all of them, including the one that barely counts), and I really could do with less heartbreak.

Ethnicity: I don't care about skin colour (although I hate to admit that I generally have problems getting past the *yellow*-hair-*pink*-skin combination), but I think I'd prefer a Canadian, or someone like a Canadian.

Principles: Honest. No stealing candy from babies nor lying on your taxes. Now, I don't want you to walk up to a stranger and tell them you think their manner of dress is stupid, but be honest where it counts.
• Kind. I'm not looking for a bad boy to reform.
• Chivalry is okay, but know that I am Woman, I am Strong! Except when I need a shoulder to cry on, and then I'm very weak. I need a shoulder who is kind, understanding, and will hold me while I cry. (No matter how stupid whatever I'm crying about is. I probably know that, but that doesn't stop the need for the cry.)
• The ability to look beyond the surface. A person is more than their net worth, their clothing, their job.
• Understanding. The ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes.

Religion: Athiest, or mildly agnostic. Although I'm generally fine with my friends being religious (as long as they don't preach at me, or go all glassy-eyed-god-is-great in my presence), I honestly don't think I could tolerate the feeling of being preached at whenever we're together. I especially can't tolerate the type of religion that tries to interfere with science class or causes intolerance towards others. (And yes, I can see the irony in saying I can't tolerate intolerance.)

Smoking: Defintitely NOT! This is not negotiable. No recreational drugs either. Social drinking is acceptable, but getting drunk makes me question your motives and intelligence, and makes me sad. I don't like being sad. On the other hand, I don't want a force-my-habit-on-others tea-totaller either. Personally, I generally don't drink, but I also don't have a problem when others do.

Communication: Open, and able to express yourself. I'm not a mind reader. I need to you to tell me if something is bothering you. In fact, I need to know that I can count on you to do so, so that I'm not paranoid that there's something about me that you don't like but are unwilling to tell me. (I'm not saying I'll change for you, but I need to know, and know that you're not holding back.)

Humour: Yes, but not a tell-the-same-joke-to-every-person-you-meet type. Especially not if I'm with you every time... it was funny the first time, but it gets old really fast. The ability to understand irony and puns is a bonus, given my sense of humour. No intentionally cruel humour. (See Kind.)

Intelligence: Much preferred, but not the know-it-all type. More important than knowledge, though, is the willingness and ability to learn.

Activity level: Preferrably in the light range, but existing range. I prefer a stroll in the woods rather than a 25 mile hike, or a two-hour paddle to a multi-day-portage-including canoe trip. However, I prefer snorkelling to burning oneself on the beach, and prefer walking tours over bus tours. I am fond of relaxation, but I need *some* activity. I just don't handle the really strenuous stuff well. (Especially if it involves carrying heavy items, sweating, and no daily showers.) Smaller amounts of strenuous exercise is fine as long as water that I don't have to carry is available, and showers quickly follow.

Age: Preferrably not too far different than my own.

Of course, I reserve the right to add to and/or change this list. ;)

So... do any of you know any nice, single guys who fit this description?