Chris Van Vliet, 28
19 Action News entertainment reporter
The perfect date: Anything that is outside the box and doesn't feel like a date would be the ultimate. And as soon as it feels like a date, I'm out.
Something most people do not know about me: I'm a big pro wrestling fan, and I'm also really into bass fishing. I fish in a lot bass tournaments every year. I've been doing it my whole life.
My passion: My job is my passion. Everyone in life should at least strive to do something for work that is fun or that their passionate about because once work starts feeling like work it's not fun anymore.
Biggest turn-on: Someone who is confident in who they are as a person and knows what they can bring to the table. Someone who is driven is really sexy. Someone who knows what they want and they aren't afraid to go after it.
Biggest turnoff: Negativity is the biggest turnoff.
I own too many: T-shirts. I probably have more than 200 of them. If you look in my closet, it is filled with T-shirts.
My favorite ... place in Cleveland: Progressive Field, I'm a huge baseball fan. I love going, it doesn't matter where I sit, just being in the stadium is good enough for me. ... book: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. I recommend it. ... musician/band: I will listen to absolutely anything. If my iPod is on shuffle it can go from rap, to pop punk, to country, to anything in between. It would be hard to narrow it down to one. ... sports team: Toronto Blue Jays. When Joe Carter hit the World Series winning home run in game six of the 1993 World Series I think it may have been the greatest home run of all time. I was 10 years old when it happened, it was incredible. ... TV show: 19 Action News of course. And I watch WWE Raw on Monday nights. ... vacation destination: Anywhere warm, especially in the winter.
My usual hangout: I mean I spend a lot of time at my desk at work. But when I do have free time I enjoy relaxing on my couch.
In high school I was: I was vice president of student council, and I did the morning announcement. And that was really my first taste of broadcasting.
And now I'm: I think I'm out of my shell a little bit more than I was in high school. I started high school when I was 5 foot 1 and 98 pounds. So I guess here's the best answer: I'm slightly taller.
My best feature: I can have a conversation with anyone
My bad habit: I think I might be addicted to candy, any candy.
My first kiss: I think it was in grade one at recess time, and I remember being so nervous but also smiling the rest of the day.
How my ex would describe me: I don't think she would have anything bad to say about me. I think she would say we had a lot of fun together and she would be happy to see what I'm doing now. And likewise, I would be happy to see what she's doing now as well.
Going out or staying in: A little bit of both. I'm really busy a lot of the time so sometimes it's nice to just stay in and just relax and hang out. But with that said, it's also nice to go out and meet new people and have a fun night.
Early, late or right on time: Early, never late. It's a pet peeve.
Dogs or cats: I don't own either. I did grow up with a cat in my parents' house. But I wouldn't say I really favor either; I'm just too busy.
Dancing ... yes or no: Not when other people can see. Although I did this charity event last year. It was kind of a local Dancing with the Stars. It was called Take Steps to Fight Diabetes, and they pair up local television personalities or radio personalities with dancers, and you do a dance routine. I danced to an Usher song. The style was called the hustle, but it was like hip-hop. It was so much fun.
Twitter ... yes or no: Yep, please follow me @ChrisVanVliet. I love the immediacy of Twitter. I love how someone can see something on air and the second I get back to my desk or back to my phone they have already commented, positive or negative. It's great to know you can be interactive.
My longest relationship: Two years
Beer, wine or martinis: I'm really not that picky. I'll drink anything. I think that they each would suit a different occasion.
Roses or chocolates: Well roses aren't very delicious, so chocolate.
My No. 1 dating rule: Don't break plans. Unless you have a good reason of course. But I think there is nothing worse than looking forward to a date with someone and then getting a text with some flimsy excuse for them to get out of it. And then they don't ask about make-up plans.
My deal-breaker: Constantly breaking plans
If I could date anyone: I would want to date someone who is down to earth, easy going, understanding of the type of job I have and understanding that I may not always be around or that with a couple days' notice I may have to fly somewhere.
On a first date I never: I don't think I'd want to make any sort of rule; I'd just go with it.
Best place to meet someone: I don't think there is one specific place that works well. But for me it has always worked best meeting people through friends.
My take on Cleveland's single scene: I think it's great, I think there are a lot of great people out there. And you can meet people anywhere.
What I find sexy about myself: I think I can have a conversation with anyone, and I'm easy going.
Why I'm single: I just haven't found someone that's been worth my time to date. It's hard to find someone that is understanding of the type of schedule that I have.
