Anthony Lima, 31
sports reporter
The perfect date: Head to a place that's not too stuffy and over the top to start out. If it's too romantic, it sets up expectations. That's why I like Lolita. It's not like Wow, there's a lot on the line here.
Something most people don't know about me: My sister raised me from age 15 on. My mom passed away, and my parents were divorced. I'm very close with my sister.
My passion: Fitness. Being single, I have to stay in shape or I'm screwed.
My favorite ... sports team: Cleveland's a football city, but I have to say OSU Buckeyes over Browns. ... musician/band: Justin Timberlake. I feel like I've grown up with him, from The Mickey Mouse Club up until now. ... TV show: Mad Men ...place in Cleveland: Tremont, bar none. I love Fahrenheit, Lolita and South Side. ... book: The Great Gatsby. That's a really cool era. But I really don't read books anymore because I'm so tied up with Twitter. ... vacation destination: South Beach. ... way to exercise: I lift weights, run and play basketball. ...month: September. I'm a big sap for the fall. It reminds me of leaving for college. ... website: Twitter. It's basically my newspaper. I'm never not on it. In a date situation, I watch how they are with their phone. If they check it periodically, then I know I can take a peek. ...drink: Brooklyn Lager.
My usual hangout: Somewhere on West 25th or in Tremont, a casual beer-bar type place.
In high school I was ... definitely the class clown.
And now I'm ... still that way. I don't take things ultra seriously, but now I'm a lot smarter and more contemplative.
My No. 1 dating rule: Don't obsess about the past and why things didn't go well with past relationships. I don't care to know about it, especially at a first date.
My deal-breaker: Smoking. My buddy and I were in the car the other day and we look over and this cute girl was smoking. Who does that anymore?
On a first date I never ... put a lot of restrictions on it.
Biggest turn-on: Confidence. A girl who is confident in how she looks and how she approaches life.
Biggest turnoff: Someone who's not on the same vibe as me. I need someone I can joke with, who has that same sense of humor as me.
My hidden talent: I'm really good at Tetris on the old Nintendo. I haven't found anyone who can beat me.
I own too many: Button-down shirts. I have, like, 40. I'm always going out and I can't always wear the same thing.
My best feature: My sense of humor.
My bad habit: I'm very critical. It's often in jest. If you listen to us on the radio, it's just us making fun of people in sports and everything.
My first kiss: It was a fourth-grade birthday party, our first when our parents weren't around. I was hanging around with this girl and she kissed me.
My guilty pleasure: I watch some crap on TV like Gallery Girls, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. I cry watching movies. I can't watch movies with a lot people because I will just sit there and weep.
How my ex would describe me: I joke around constantly, sometimes inappropriately. I have a dark sense of humor.
How my best friend would describe me: A ball buster. I still hang out with my high school friends and we are all like that.
Going out or staying in: Going out.
Early, late or right on time: I am always early. Most people in my life are always late. I'm always waiting, and I can't understand why people would be late.
Morning person or night owl: Night owl.
Dogs or cats: Both, but I don't have either right now.
iPhone or Android: iPhone.
Dancing ... yes or no: I think I'm a dancer, especially with enough beverages. I think I have the Elaine Benes thing going on.
Twitter ... yes or no: It's an obsession. I have an insatiable need to know things.
My longest relationship: Six months. I've always moved, so commitment has always been tough.
My biggest goal right now: To be at the top of my profession, no matter where that is.
Celebrity crush: Mila Kunis. I actually met her at a Knicks game a few years ago. Maybe it's because she's so unattainable. Girls want her now too after Black Swan.
Most unusual place I've met someone: At a Bath & Body Works while buying a Christmas gift.
My take on Cleveland's single scene: It's tough, especially for young professionals. In my age range, most girls are already taken.
What do you find sexy about yourself? I can have a conversation and not feel censored.
Why do you think you are single? It mostly has to do with my career. I put that first in many ways. Now that I'm back in Cleveland, I'm more stable, and I can be more open to things.
