Jackson Rohm, 38
Musician
Musician
The perfect date: Well, the perfect date would be starting with a sunny day and spending the evening cruising on a boat, maybe to a restaurant on the water. Good conversation, followed by a drink or two after dinner and then hopefully a good-night kiss.
Something most people don’t know about me: I wore a Speedo on the beach way too long after I quit the swim team before I figured it out back when I was in middle school. I blame my sister for not letting me know I looked like a tool.
My cell phone: I recently got my first BlackBerry in the last four to six months, and I initially thought it’d make me too accessible and drive me up the wall. But I ended up falling in love with it, and I don’t know what I’d do without it. I’m actually very dependent on my BlackBerry phone right now.
Biggest turn-on: A girl with an adventurous spirit that enjoys new experiences. Not afraid to try something she’s never done before.
Biggest turnoff: A person that in conversation is constantly trying to one-up you. If you’re telling a story you thought would be interesting and they interrupt to try to tell a story about themselves that they think is more interesting, [that] is one of the things that really turns me off.
I own too many: Guitars. I own 11 and play two of them. The rest sit there at the house and probably warp with age. Not good. I need to not have so many guitars unless I’m going to play them.
My favorite … place in Cleveland: The Rock Hall. I always enjoy going there. Makes me motivated to write music. Anytime I see a concert or go to that type of environment, it fires me up. … sports team: Well, one of my very close friends is head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, so I’m rooting for them now. I know a lot of Ohio people were born and raised in Ohio, and they’re gung-ho Buckeye fans and so on, so forth. But I’m transplanted, so I’m not a diehard for the Ohio teams, in general. … book: I know To Kill a Mockingbird was one of my favorite books as a kid. I’m not an avid reader, but that one always affected me, I guess, in a good way. … vacation destination: Rio de Janeiro. To me, it’s the perfect vacation. I’m learning Portuguese now because I’m going back in January. It’s a beautiful place when you want to get out because it’s summertime there. Beaches are beautiful and pristine, the people are friendly and welcoming, and the nightlife — every day of the week seems like Saturday to me. It’s pretty inexpensive, too. It’s an all-around great vacation, especially in the winter months when you want to get out of the hutch. … dessert: You know, I don’t get a lot of desserts typically, but I’m just old-fashioned — apple pie and vanilla ice cream always goes well with me. It’s so basic, I know, but I love it. … blog: I don’t read blogs. I don’t have time. I’m just trying to find the time to occasionally blog myself. I guess I should say I’m just in the process of e-mailing people; I don’t really blog. I just kind of try to correspond with the supporters of my music, so I look at that as sort of blogging, but it’s really not.
Facebook: yes or no? Absolutely. Facebook is a great tool for me to keep in touch with the supporters of my music, and it’s also been a great way to reconnect with some of my high school and college friends that I’ve been out of touch with. A little bit overwhelming because I’ve got a lot of Facebook friends, and some of them require a lot of attention. It kind of wears me out.
My usual hangout: The South Side at Tremont. I like the food, and I’ve played there, so I’ve gotten to know some of the staff. I want a nice place, but I like it to be casual as well because that’s how I typically tend to dress and act, so I feel comfortable there.
In high school I was … the perfect angel. I was this high school track star. I went to college on a track scholarship, and I don’t think I knew I was going to be a musician then, and I did all the right things. Then, in college, I kind of started having more fun.
My passion: Obviously music. Another passion’s traveling and spending time with the people I care about.
My best feature: I’d say my teeth. I think I’ve got a good smile, too.
My bad habit: Eating out too often. I’m a single guy and can’t cook. So there’s only so much canned soup and spaghetti of my own I can handle making.
My first kiss: My first kiss was in fifth grade. It was a closed-mouth kiss, I should say. It was with my friend Amy King, who passed away on 9/11. She was on the second plane that went into the World Trade Center.
My guilty pleasure: Probably tequila. It’s gotten me into some trouble over the years, but I still love it. Tequila in moderation can be my friend, but overindulged, tequila can be my enemy.
How my ex would describe me: Probably a good person that didn’t try hard enough, honestly.
Blondes or brunettes: I don’t have a criterion there, honestly. I’ve met some beautiful blondes and some beautiful brunettes over the years, and typically I’d say I tend to go for brunettes, but I’ve met some beautiful blonde girls.
Going out or staying in: Going out. I think it’s ingrained in my nature. I enjoy staying in on occasion, but if given the question on a Saturday night, I like social interaction. It depends on the night, I guess. By the weekend I’m usually ready to get out and have some fun. And I’m not the jealous type, so I love interacting with other people, and I’ve never had a problem with feeling that I need to have my girl at home the whole time to feel secure about our relationship.
Early, late or right on time: I am always on time. I think early can be rude, depending on what it is. If it doesn’t affect someone else, I try to be on the time that I agreed to, but if it’s just me, then I don’t mind being early. But I hate being late. It’s probably even if I have no repercussions if I’m late. .It’s partially a compulsion. I just manage to try to be professional in every way and on time with whatever I’m doing.
Dogs or cats: Dogs. I don’t think cats like me. I’m feeding a neighbor’s cat upstairs here while I’m here in Atlanta, and the cat hates me. I don’t know what it is. I don’t hate cats; I just think dogs respond to me better.
My longest relationship: Two and a half years.
Beer, wine or martinis: Beer. Liquor and wine can creep up on me too quickly. I can control my consumption of beer.
Roses or chocolates: I’ll say roses. Flowers seem classy, and chocolates seem a little too — something my grandfather would do.
My No. 1 dating rule: No movies on the first date. Movies are a terrible way to get to know somebody. You go in there, and you sit there for two hours. I can get a movie by myself.
My deal-breaker: Anyone that’s immediately clingy. I need to ease into that level of intimacy.
I hate when a date orders … a salad. I want her to be herself, and I can’t imagine, if it’s a dinner date — because lunch is different — that that’s something she really wants to get. Who would want to get a salad for dinner, come on.
Worst pickup line: I’ve never really used a pickup line or heard one that was that bad. People have said them, but I have no idea off the top of my head what would be bad.
If I could marry anyone: That chick from The Notebook: Rachel McAdams.
On a first date I never... let the girl pay, even if she asks me. It just doesn’t seem right.
Best place to meet someone: At a party with other friends because you can be introduced
Most unusual place I’ve met someone: In the line for the Porta-John at a concert.
My take on Cleveland’s single scene: Need more single girls. We have enough guys. I mean, that’s my take. There’s no problem with the amount of single guys in Cleveland. I don’t know where all the single girls are hiding.
