It’s Complicated: Single in Boulder County

Let’s face it, chances are these singles have more fun than their married peers. That’s just one perk of being unattached—letting your wants and needs serve as a personal compass as well as full control of the remote and freedom to wear socks to bed. In this issue, Yellow Scene celebrates the single life with 11 smart, successful and smoking hot local singles. We gathered these eligible bachelors and bachelorettes for a photo shoot at Prospect’s Two Dog Diner along with some shakes, burgers and pie. We also sat down with each of them to talk about their ideal mates, their last dates and their lives sans ball or chain.

Chris Northrup, Age 45

[ Profession: Sponsorship Director for the Boulder International Film Festival/Corporate Marketing refugee. [ Hobbies: Travel, hiking, watching indie films, attempting to make the stuff I learned in culinary class. [ Three words to describe you: Easygoing, sexy-nerdy. [ Ideal partner: Someone with integrity, good at whatever he’s chosen to do career-wise, nice to animals, witty, great teeth. [ Favorite part of being single: Self-reliance. [ When you are not working, you are: On a trip. Or planning the next one. [ Song that best describes your love life: “Everybody’s Gonna be Happy,” The Kinks. [ Favorite movie: Unabashed Lord of the Rings lover. [ Three words to describe your last date: Yada…Lobster bisque. [ Place we’d find you on a Friday night: Latin dancing to live music at the St. Julien or watching some obscure movie. [ Celebrity crush: Viggo Mortensen. [ Dream date: Could be anywhere—it’s all about the connection, the spark and the banter. [ Guilty pleasure: Nice cars, dessert, naps! [ You have a glass in front of you…what’s in it? I’m a situational drinker but could be water, wine or Belvedere. [ Dating pet peeve: I love my iPhone, too, but put the damn thing away already!

Diana Tepe, Age 35

[ Profession: Kids dance studio owner/dancer. [ Hobbies: Dancing, yoga, cooking/baking, snowboarding, traveling, frogs. [ Three words to describe you: Determined, authentic, effervescent. [ Ideal partner: Devoted, passionate, trustworthy, grounding and most of all, compliments my weaknesses with his strengths…a true soulmate. [ When you are not working, you are: Taking good care of myself so I can be at my best for my students; that could mean treating myself to a nutritious meal or taking a last-minute beach getaway to relax and recharge. [ Three words to describe your last date: Enjoyable, experimental, engaging. [ Place we’d find you on a Friday night: Brasserie Ten Ten in Boulder, a great happy hour with lots of interesting people to talk to. [ Celebrity crush: Bradley Cooper. [ Dream date: After a great first date, on our next date he shows up with two tickets to paradise…any beach would be great. [ Guilty pleasure: Wine. [ You have a glass in front of you…what’s in it? Water with Emergen-C. [ Opposites attract or birds of a feather: Opposites attract.

Eric Jesse, Age 28

[ Profession: Civil engineer. [ Hobbies: Coaching girls volleyball, golf, cycling, reading. [ Three words to describe you: Curious, loud and chiefly. [ Ideal partner: Already happy and enjoying life on her own, understands my volleyball obsession, likes beer, football (Go Bears) and dogs. [ When you’re not working, you’re: Coaching or hopefully traveling. [ Song that describes your love life: “Dancing With Myself,” Billy Idol. [ Philosophy on dating: There are two outcomes to any relationship, it ends or it doesn’t. So don’t sweat the little stuff and enjoy whatever happens. [ Place we’d find you on a Friday night: Night before a practice, at home. Otherwise, out on the town in Boulder/Denver. [ Celebrity crush: They’re all too short, so Gabrielle Reece. [ Dream date: A long hike then good food, drink and conversation. [ Guilty pleasure: On occasion, chick music. There, I said it. [ You have a glass in front of you…what’s in it? Beer, wine or rum, can’t pick. [ A little country or a little rock ‘n roll: All rock ‘n roll. No country, ever. [ Great outdoors or great indoors: Great outdoors (the movie and literally).

Amanda Rubino, Age 31

[ Profession: Jewelry designer Frisk Jewelry/Co-Owner Frisk Accessories for Girls and Guys. [ Hobbies: Blogging about fashion, collecting vintage, dining out, writing about dating, walking on the treadmill while perusing magazines. [ Three words to describe you: Boisterous, funny, loyal. [ Ideal partner: A guy who is witty and smart, honest, career-driven, outgoing, and knows how to have fun (while wearing good jeans). [ Favorite part of being single: You never know what’s around the corner, and it’s always an adventure. [ Last book you read: What the Dog Saw, by Malcolm Gladwell. [ Three words to describe your last date: To quote my Grandma Silverman, “Ha. Some nerve!” [ Celebrity crush: Seth Meyers, Paul Rudd, Andy Cohen. [ Guilty pleasure: Too much Bravo TV, laughing at my own jokes, lip gloss. [ There’s a glass in front of you…what’s in it? Any of the following: Water, coffee, green tea, vodka. Define romance: Laughing so hard together you inadvertently conk heads. [ Song that describes your love life: “On to the Next One,” Jay-Z.

Evan Faber, Age 30

Music is a big part of Evan’s life. He approached the survey by digging through his music library and picking songs that best fit. The lyrics explain it.
[ Profession: Beverage director, SALT the Bistro. [ Hobbies: “While my Guitar Gently Weeps,” The Beatles.
[ Ideal partner: “By Your Side,” Sade. [ Favorite part of being single: “Second Hand News,” Fleetwood Mac. [ When you’re not working, you’re: “Halcyon and On,” Orbital. [ Last book you read: “Apartment Story,” The National. [ Song that describes your love life: “Old Old Fashioned,” by Frightened Rabbit. [ Philosophy on dating: “The Rain Song,” Led Zeppelin. [ Place we’d find you on a Friday night: “Desolation Row,” Bob Dylan. [ Celebrity crush: “Centerfold,” J. Giles Band. [ Dream date: “Filled with Real,” Speech. [ Guilty pleasure: “Raspberry Beret,” Prince. [ You have a glass in front of you…what’s in it? “Horchata” Vampire Weekend. [ The great outdoors or the great indoors: “On the Road to Find Out,” Cat Stevens. [ Define romance: “A Song for You,” Donny Hathaway’s version.

Eric Nelson, Age 30

[ Profession: Graphic designer. [ Three words to describe you: Artsy. Competitive. Goofball. [ Ideal partner: I need a woman to keep me on my toes. She’s feisty, confident and very down to earth. She’s feminine but not girly. She’s into sports, wine and art and has a great sense of humor. She’s silly and sexy at the same time. [ Favorite part of being single: The ability to work long hours starting a business without the feeling of neglecting someone. [ When you are not working, you are: At a sporting event, out with friends, painting or sleeping. [ Song to describe your love life: “Passing Me By,” The Pharcyde. [ Three words to describe your last date: Not. Worth. Mentioning. [ Celebrity crush: A tie between Elisha Cuthbert and Natalie Portman. [ Guilty pleasure: Sweets and True Blood. [ Opposites attract or birds of a feather: Opposites attract temporarily, birds of a feather stay together. [ Define romance: Being with someone that stimulates you both mentally as well as physically, and feeling completely comfortable being who you are and knowing that they feel the same way about you.

Jessica Rubino, Age 25

[ Profession: Senior associate editor at Delicious Living, co-owner of Frisk Accessories for Girls and Guys, jewelry designer. [ Ideal partner: Honest, intelligent, interesting, fun, thoughtful (and loyal, motivated and energetic). [ Favorite part of being single: Recapping bad dates. [ Last book you read: Water for Elephants. [ Song to describe your love life: “I Need a Soldier” or “I Got Friends in Low Places.” [ Philosophy on dating: Learn something new from every person you date (sometimes it takes time, but it will come to you). [ Three words to describe your last date: Really, this again? [ Place we’d find you on a Friday night: Dinner and cocktails at Salt followed by “Dance Party No Cover” at Tahona. [ Celebrity crush: Peter Waters. [ Your dream date: Great conversation. But even better food. [ Guilty pleasure: Guilt. Who needs it? [ Opposites attract or birds of a feather: Birds of a feather—if you know what’s good for you. [ The great outdoors or the great indoors: Depends on who’s asking, the current forecast, and what’s in my closet. [ Define romance: Experience, laughter, attraction, and love.

Joel Wishkovsky, Age 27

[ Profession: Entrepreneur; owner of Card Gnome. [ Three words to describe you: Innovative, outgoing, ambitious. [ Ideal partner: Someone who is fun, will challenge me and loves to explore the world around them. [ Favorite part of being single: Flexibility to try new things and take personal and professional risks. [ When you are not working, you are: When is that? Just kidding, I reground myself by going out with friends, working out and spending time mountaineering and traveling. [ Song to describe your love life: “I Just Haven’t Met You Yet.” [ Philosophy on dating: The perfect fit is out there, I just need to sort through all the others first. [ Place we’d find you on a Friday night: Either at West End, a startup party or gearing up for a mountaineering trip. [ Celebrity crush: Natalie Portman. [ Your dream date: Make dinner together and then go out dancing. [ Guilty pleasure: Mate Latte at Atlas Purveyors. [ You have a glass in front of you…what’s in it? A local microbrew beer. [ Opposites attract or birds of a feather: Opposites attract. [ A little country or a little rock ‘n roll: Rock ‘n roll.

Andrea Boccacino, Age 45
[ Profession: Food and beverage industry research analyst. [ Hobbies: Cooking, oil painting, gardening/crafts. [ Three words to describe you: Not-for-the-faint-of-heart. [ Ideal partner: Funny, thoughtful, ambitious, energetic. [ When you’re not working, you’re: Doing something athletic/physical or independent films. [ Song to describe your love life: “You Spin Me Round” (Like a Record). [ Philosophy on dating: Every date just gets me closer to the last. [ Three words to describe your last date: They’re all at least fun ones! [ Place we’d find you on a Friday night: Yoga class and then out to dinner or cook at home. [ Celebrity crush: Craig Ferguson. [ Dream date: Exploring a new place with someone, ping pong, bowling, target shooting. [ Guilty pleasure: The ocean, gelato, See’s candies, lamb chops. [ You have a glass in front of you…what’s in it? Ceviche. [ Opposites attract or birds of a feather: Primarily birds of a feather with a hint of opposing views for color.

Joe O’Leary, Age 40
[ Profession: Marketing. [ Hobbies: Writing, storytelling, hiking, mountain biking, reading, music. [ Pick three words to describe you: Curious. Open. Present. [ Favorite part of being single: The guiltless freedom to measure more women more subjectively. [ When you are not working, you are: Walking, thinking, writing, being a dad. [ What’s the last book you read: To myself: Magic, by Martin Kettlehut, PhD; to my kids: The Phantom Tollbooth. [ Three words to describe your last date: Chemistry sans attraction. [ Place we’d find you on a Friday night: I’m often curious about that, too. [ Celebrity crush: Tanya Roberts in Beastmaster. [ Guilty pleasure: Animated movies by Dreamworks and Pixar. [ You have a glass in front of you…what’s in it? Malbec. [ Opposites attract or birds of a feather: Both. [ A little country or a little rock ‘n roll: Rock ‘n roll. [ The great outdoors or the great indoors: The great outdoors. [ Define romance: An active pathway to meaningful intimacy. To a man, romance is a woman who inspires his focus, creativity and effort. To a woman, romance is focus, creativity and effort.

Yvette Francino, Age 50
[ Profession: Site Editor for SearchSoftwareQuality.com. [ Hobbies: The Love Project (my new blog), blogging, running, playing games. [ Three words to describe you: Playful, reliable, analytical. [ Ideal partner: Playful, confident, generous, honest. [ When you’re not working, you’re: Playing. [ Song that best describes your love life: “Live Like You Were Dying.” [ Philosophy on dating: Love yourself first and then find something to love and learn from every relationship you have. [ Celebrity crush: Sam Jaeger  (He plays Joel on Parenthood). [ Your dream date: Dinner at home, cooking together. You both feel a great connection. There’s a great mixture of laughter and intimacy. Just his touch sends shivers up your spine. [ Guilty pleasure: Bubble baths in jetted tubs. [ You have a glass in front of you…what’s in it? A margarita. [ Opposites attract or birds of a feather: I like balance, so I tend to like people who are opposite from me in some ways, but agree with me on core values. [ A little country or a little rock ‘n roll: Both! (But more “pop” country or “pop” rock ‘n roll).