Erin and The Professor

I was catching up with a friend from college tonight, a girl with whom I became very close during my freshman year. She recently started a new job teaching in a private school in St. Louis, and I asked if she had any cute prospects at the new school.

Al: There are a few cute guys. Professor types. You'd like em.

Me: Yeah, sounds like my type.

At the time I was just agreeing with her to move the conversation along. But later, in bed feeling exhausted and yet unable to sleep (like last night), I realized that this IS my type.

For the longest time I have been picturing the guys I've dated or been interested in, trying to force them into some sort of cohesive group representing "my type". I still don't think I've figured it out, but after my conversation with Al tonight, I am getting closer.

Intellectuals, professors, smart guys - these are the men I have been attracted to or who have been interested in me. Maybe they were lovers or are just close friends, but they fall into this group of intelligent men. I guess it's because I like to learn and I prefer to be friends with someone who can teach me something once in awhile, no matter what the subject. I am slightly modest about my intelligence, but I don't try to hide it. I want to engage in thoughtful conversations with men, and I am often turned off by those guys who cannot communicate or who don't seem to have anything to say. Even this past weekend, I can think of two instances where I was engaging in more than just small talk with guys (for the record, I was not interested in either of them).

I want a boyfriend who will take me to a coffee shop just to talk. He will want to see foreign films and have informed discussion about them afterwards. Talking about politics won't be completely out of the question - as long as we both can take something away from the conversation. Book or music recommendations will be greatly appreciated and encouraged, and we will watch intelligently funny tv shows together (those men regularly tuning into "Viva La Bam" need not apply).

And I seem to attract the same guys over and over again. Sure, they all look different, but they're usually smart and funny. (Sidenote: these two qualities should, in my opinion, go hand in hand. Humor is nothing without some intelligence behind it.) Maybe it's because I'm smart and funny. Yeah, that's probably it.

I hope this doesn't sound too pretentious, because I definitely don't want one of those......