dealbreakers

I didn't really think in "forever" terms with any of the guys I dated in college (obviously, X excluded).  At that point in life, it's more like "Oh, hey, that guy who sits next to me in biology class is pretty cute.  Let's see where this goes".  But now, older, wiser, etc., it's time to think about more than the just the superficial.

Everyone has dealbreakers when looking for a significant other.  30 Rock's Liz Lemon has a hilarious list that includes gems like "If your man appears on "To Catch a Predator" on Dateline... ...that's a dealbreaker, ladies!" and "If your man has appeared on "Maury" to take a paternity test... ...that's a dealbreaker, ladies!".

Let's not lie--  I still totally have a shallow list of would-be-awesomes (read: amazing abs).  But the list that actually matters is the list of for-reals*, and this second list isn't really negotiable.


Educated

Intelligence is sexy.  Extra points if they rock the nerdyhot (yes, all-one-word) glasses.

Employed
Sorry, I'm not really looking for an "aspiring" anything. 

Financially Stable
I'm not saying you always need to pick up the tab for dinner, but I do need you to be able to pay your bills on time.

Independent
I hope you aren't over the age of 30 and still living with your parents.

Sans Children
I eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast.  At noon.  There is no way I can be responsible for kids.

Sans Ex-Wife
I know I have some baggage myself, but it's different than you promising forever with someone (in front of 300 of your closest friends).

* Please realize I skipped the ones that I thought were fairly obvious (read: no gold teeth).




In totally related news, I am in like/lust with someone who passes all of the dealbreaker tests, but is still 100% wrong for me.