Jeon Francis, 33
Office Manager at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, artist
The perfect date: Jeans and T-shirt, cheap wine and pizza either at Angelo's in Lakewood or Mama Santa's in Little Italy, and then, afterwards, a walk down by the lake or around the Cleveland Art Museum.
Something most people don't know about me: "Sweet Child O'Mine" by Guns N' Roses is one of my all-time favorite songs because of the instrumental intro and the musical contrasts throughout the song. Opposite extremes fascinate me. I belt it out every time I'm in the car and it comes on.
My passion: To create, express and birth ideas into reality and do it wholeheartedly, whether it be personal happenings, community events, house renovations or something as simple as a table centerpiece for a dinner party or just for myself. When I'm passionate about something it doesn't come off as work. It's life; it makes me feel alive.
Biggest turn-on: Blue collar, construction tradesmen and skater boys top my list. If you own power tools and know how to use them, call me. Jeans and T-shirt boys all the way.
Biggest turnoff: Romantically, trendy clothing and jewelry fashionistas. But I have many of them as friends.
I own too many: 1980s issues of Cleveland Magazine. They were in my house when I bought it. I love the vintage pictures and ads. Such a great insight into 1980s Cleveland.
My favorite ... place in Cleveland: A walk around Edgewater Beach during a summer night, West Side Market on Saturdays and Le Petite Triangle Sunday mornings. Rocky River Reservation, too, when I feel like I need some quiet time and I need to settle myself. Nature is very healing. It's a wonderful way to ground myself. ... book: New to Cleveland, written by a friend of mine who collaborated with a local illustrator, it's an interesting way to showcase Cleveland. Put the Needle on the Record, the local author took 250 album covers from the '80s and gave some insight on how those covers came to be. I think it's very important that we support local artists and businesses when we can. ... musician/band: I'm so uncultured when it comes to music, but I like what I like. See guilty pleasures. ... sports team: Grady Sizemore, shall we say teatime definitely made me a fan. ... TV show: Although a lot of my friends have turned on them, I still love myself some Desperate Housewives. This last season is the least interesting in my opinion, but I'm a loyal fan and will watch them right up until the end. ... vacation destination: A few years ago, a group of friends and I toured several cities in Spain, France, Italy and North Africa. It was money well spent. Hawaii, Egypt, Greece, Amsterdam, New Orleans and hop skip over to Rochester Hills, Michigan are all on my list for future trips. ... dessert: Sweet Moses and a walk afterwards in the neighborhood. And I love Lilly in Tremont. ... blog: Blog? I don't even have time for Facebook. Give me the face-to-face interaction.
My usual hangout: As much as I love being out there on the social scene, I love being at home just as much. Being by myself, stripping down to my boxers, drinking cheap wine, working on my creative projects and listening to music. It's right there on the same level as being out.
In high school I was ... Imagine the kid in the back of the class that didn't speak. That was me. Many of my friends now are shocked when they learn this.
And now I'm ... making up for lost time.
My best feature: That's not for me to say. It's all in the eye of the beholder.
My bad habit: Submitting plus one in an e-vite and then bringing a bunch more fabulous friends. It just happens that way. There are so many wonderfully spirited and inspiring people in Cleveland and in my life. I love sharing and connecting them to others.
My first kiss: In kindergarten underneath the table with a girl named Julie
My guilty pleasure: Madonna, Lady Gaga, Britney, Christina and Rihanna
How my ex would describe me: At least $16,000 worth of therapy! But in all honesty, a relationship label doesn't always have to define the true love that two people share and continue to share even after splitting up.
Going out or staying in: Both are appealing. Stay in Friday evenings' always go out Saturday night. Maybe not until 7 a.m. anymore. I'm lucky if I can make it to 3 a.m. now.
Early, late or right on time: Right on time
Dogs or cats: Cats
Dancing ... yes or no? Hell yeah! You know what they say about boys who can dance?
Twitter ... yes or no? Definitely has its place, but don't bore me with what you ate for breakfast ... unless it was off your hot neighbor's body.
My longest relationship: 3 years, 3 days, 15 hours, but who's counting?
Beer, wine or martinis: White wine if I want to be a good boy and red if I don't
Roses or chocolates: Definitely chocolates. Draw or pick me flowers, but don't waste your money on store bought weeds.
My No. 1 dating rule: Leave the rulebook at home and follow your instincts.
My deal-breaker: Got to be out to your family and friends. Period.
I hate when a date ... answers his cell phone! Hello! Living, breathing person in front of you!
But I love when a date ... opens or unlocks my car door.
Worst pickup line: "Hey, my boyfriend just went to the bathroom; can I get your number?"
If I could date anyone: Ty Pennington, Neil Patrick Harris, Daniel Radcliff, Anderson Cooper, Jake Gyllenhaal and Adam Levine from Maroon 5 all float my boat. Locally, I've been crushing on a particular artist, but alas he's on a dating sabbatical right now.
On a first date I never ... say never.
Best place to meet someone: At the paint counter at Home Depot
Most unusual place I've met someone: Stopped at a red light. Our eyes locked, and the signal changed to go.
My take on Cleveland's single scene: Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold em, know when to walk away.
What I find sexy about myself: If I had to choose, I'd say my confidence to go after what I set out to accomplish, but, physically, I wouldn't define myself as sexy. Now that Chris Van Vliet, he's screams sexy! I begged your art director to make sure my photo wouldn't be placed on the same page as Chris'. I look like an ashtray in comparison!
Why I'm single: Must be the lack of a goat in my dowry or perhaps my fast paced life is causing Cupid's arrow to just keep missing.
