Say Hellooo to the Hunks!

It isn't every day a girl gets to meet real-life heroes as good-looking as that. You heard me right. We've got five very special guests visiting the Island today. These guys aren't just eye candy; they're all remarkably friendly, insanely charming, and almost too good to be true. Best of all, they're bachelors -- sexy AND single. Selected out of thousands by Cosmopolitan's Annual Sexiest Man Alive team, these five hunks were kind enough to let me interview them (with questions YOU asked) as well as provided pictures for today's post. What I find so special about them, is that they, like I said, are more than pretty faces. They have the qualities that make the ladies swoon over them, just as we adore our book heroes. But unlike fictional characters, these guys are unbelievably, heartbreakingly, honestly real. So let's get this interview started.

What's the first thing you thought when you woke up this morning?

(Girls, this is Mark. A biology student and wildlife environmentalist representing the state of Kansas for Cosmo, Mark is our classic blue-eyed love. Being a gentleman is the most important thing to him when it comes to a relationship -- aww! You can find out more about Mark here.)
Mark: Definitely coffee.

(Ladies, Tripp. Tripp, ladies. Tripp is from Ridgeland, Mississippi (can I move there?). In his free time, he participates in triathlons (look at that body...) and just loves to be his funny, goofy self. The biggest compliment a girl could give him is "I love you" -- aww!)
Tripp: Why is my alarm going off?

What is the best way to get you in the mood? We know candles and music work for a majority of us ladies, but what is the secret for men?

(Say helloooo to James, everyone. Aside from being North Carolina's Sexiest Man Alive, James is a youth baseball coach -- because it involves two things he likes: sports and kids -- and a model/actor. Try hard not to get too lost in his eyes. He says he knows he's seriously into a girl the moment he realizes he isn't interested in anyone else -- aww!)
James: A thoughtful act.  I'm easy lol - simply do something (can be something small) that makes me feel like I was on your mind, and  I'm important to you - that works every time! 

(This is the brooding Shane Meaney. Shane is a certified personal trainer (OMG) from Vermont. We've been told he's an amazing kisser -- someone else's words, not his! He considers himself a compassionate, easygoing guy; all he wants to do is make people happy -- aww! You can learn more about Shane by checking out his website.)
Shane: Touch us in the right place. For me, it’s my collar bone or hip bone right below my underwear line.

(Last, but obviously not least, I welcome Luke to the blog. Luke is a law student (!!!) from Idaho who is outgoing and spontaneous; he says he tries to make every day the most fun day of his life. When he's really into a woman, he finds himself making up excuses to keep touching her -- aww!)
Luke: Any time a woman shows that she's very confident. Whether she's flaunting herself physically (in private, of course) or commanding the attention of everyone in public (in a classy way, of course). There's just something about a confident woman...
Tripp: Tequila and boy shorts.
Mark: Kiss my ear.  That's my "spot" if you will.

Have you ever had the opportunity to live out one of your bedroom fantasies? 'Fess up the deets if you're not the shy type too ;)

James: I guess so - meaning there isn't really anything that I've wanted to do that I haven't in the bedroom.  Also, many of my fantasies are impulsive, and don't take place in the bedroom.  For example, I am very attracted to women when they are in their element - meaning some place/job/etc where they are very confident in their place and role in that environment - anywhere where others are looking up to them, and they know it!  I guess I'm either really lucky, or I need to upgrade my fantasies!
Shane: I have not experienced my full fantasy yet, however, I have encountered bits and pieces of it. Anyone wanna help me fill in some of the blanks?
Luke: Halloween seems to be the best time for this... Just the last 3 years: police officer (and I was a Mormom missionary), Little Red Riding Hood (I was the Big Bad Wolf), and a fighter pilot (I was the same thing). Doesn't get much better than playing some sort of a role.

Tripp: No, but hoping to one day.

Mark: Bedroom fantasies...wouldn't you like to know.

What's your idea of a perfect Saturday?

James: Spending and ENTIRE day with someone I care about.  It's give and take, so wherever we were at I think it would be great to spend half the day doing something I want to do there, and then the other half of the day doing something that's all her.  I really enjoy seeing someone I care about enjoying themselves (their body language, expressiveness when they are having fun), so I would love doing "her" thing just as much as when we were doing my thing.

Shane: Waking up to breakfast in bed, going for a run/gym, staying outside for a round of golf, water tubing, dinner with family, drinks with friends, come home and cuddle up to a movie and hot chocolate with someone special.
Luke: I'm a morning person, but I like to sleep in 'til about 9 or 10 on Saturdays. It's always great if it's college football season, but if not, I'd love to be out on the golf course... all... day... long. 

Tripp: Wake up, go running with my girlfriend, come home make breakfast together. Then spend the entire day together doing something adventurous and new. Nice dinner outside with a bottle (or two) of wine, good conversation and then dancing the night away.
Mark: My perfect Saturday would be spent outside, most likely collecting rattlesnakes or fishing, with the people I care about.

If you were a bartender at an island resort, what would your signature drink be called?

James: Probably a "Happy."  I love that 2 drink "look" that people get when they are relaxing (which they would be at an island resort), and are just really comfortable and happy in a moment.  Therefore, my drink would contain enough alcohol to get that 2 drink look in only 1 "happy!"
Shane: "Mistletoe".

Luke: Snuke's Love Potion. It's a nickname of mine, and everybody is lookin' for a little romance on an island resort!

Tripp: "Tripp Like I Do".
Mark: The Rattlesnake Round-up".

What is the most romantic thing about you, or the most romantic thing you've ever done?

James: I don't have a most romantic thing, because I think romance is all about the other person, and what's important to them.  I do think I am a very romantic person, although I don't show it that often.  I have to really care about someone to a) put the effort in to be romantic, and b) want to send them that message (meaning I don't want to do something that someone would perceive as romantic if I didn't have romantic feelings for them - think it's unfair to lead someone on).  However, if I do care about someone, I am all about making them feel important on a daily basis, and that's all about them.  I simply listen to them when they talk (hard to believe coming from a man).  Then, for me the romance is seeing what gets them, and doing it for them.  It could the usual flowers, cards, stuff like that, or it could be a chore/job they have to do that's been on their mind lately (and then they just show up one day and it's magically been done for them)!  Romance is making someone feel special, and attractive, and to do that you have to pay attention to who they are, so you can make the effort to meet their needs, and not just your own.

Shane: I like to surprise my woman by doing things she doesn't expect . I once had to steal my girlfriends car for a day to install a brand new stereo system she had been wanting. I returned the car to her after she reported it missing and when she turned on the car a special CD with all the songs we listened to began to play and I walked in front of the car with flowers.
Luke: I'm a gentleman. I love to treat a lady like a lady, and I've never gotten any complaints about opening doors, buying flowers, or giving countless compliments.

Tripp: I value my partner's pleasure more than mine.
Mark: I'm a sucker for the little things.  I love to surprise a woman with flowers and chocolate, small reminders to that special someone letting them know you are thinking of them.  I once called the restaurant my girlfriend (now ex-girlfriend) was working at and told them that her car lights were on.  She came outside to a dozen roses on her windshield.  I enjoy doing things like that.

Name five things you couldn't do without.

James: Family, friends, self-worth, baseball, and toothpaste/floss/chapstick (I'm big into oral hygiene)!
Shane: Cell Phone. Family. Friends. My puppy. iPod.
Luke: 1) Family 2) Friends 3) Physical Activity 4) Laughing 5) Water (either to drink, swim in, fish, boat, whatever).
Tripp: iPhone, Music, Running, Swimming, and Gum.
Mark: My snake stick, fishing pole, Mike and Ike's, football, and Blue Bell Ice Cream.

Now on impulse -- house fire! First five things you'd grab?

James: 1) cat 2) my dad's letters (he passed suddenly when I was 19, and he used to travel a lot when I was very young - I've saved those letters and read them from time to time), 3) photos 4) titles/deeds/drivers license 5) computer - my life is on it!
Shane: Photos of friends, Lucky pair of underwear, Favorite pair of jeans,  Blanket from when I was a kid, my puppy.
Luke: 1) Family 2) Rufus (dog) 3) Hop Syng (cat) 4) Laptop 5) Photo albums.
Tripp: Computer, cellphone, my blankie, xBox, and my photography portfolio. 
Mark: Picture album, old home videos, my pet tortoise Teddy, my father's Hall of Fame plaque, and my 5 inch fossilized shark's tooth I found.

What's the first thing people usually notice about you?

James: My eyes - they are bright blue.
Shane: My smile; I always smile because I am a goofy funny person with a positive outlook on life no matter what the situation.
Luke: I think it's my smile. I'm always smiling and laughing.

Tripp: They usually hear me coming because I'm loud and obnoxious, but I would say my height or eyes.
Mark: My eyes.  I have very piercing and intense blue eyes.  Or so I've been told.

What do you spend a lot of time thinking about?

James: One of my jobs - I coach about 80 kids, and I'm constantly thinking about how I can be a better coach, and mentor for them.
Luke: My future. I want to be able to provide a wonderful life for my future wife and even a better life for my future children. Whenever I feel like I'm getting tired of working hard, I use these things as motivation to keep me going.

Tripp: How I can get the most out of today.
Mark: Thinking of ways to improve as a person athletically, intellectually, and morally.

What are you doing on a typical Friday night?

James: Coach! Boring I know, but Friday night is usually a coaching night for me.  Plus, I'm usually up at 5 am to coach on the weekends, so I don't really go out on Friday nights after I'm done coaching.
Luke: Get together with friends, have a few beers, get into whatever kind of trouble we can find.

Tripp: I usually don't go out b/c I run on Saturday mornings; Saturdays are my party nights.
Mark: Typical Friday night at school I'd going to a house party to spend some time with friends.  A typical Friday night at home, on the other hand, I'm spending time with my family.  Family is very important to me.

Tell us the most private thing you're willing to admit.

James: I wish I was a better person. Don't get me wrong, I like who I am most of the time, but like everyone else I have my demons, and things I struggle with at times.  I just wish I was able to be the person I want to be 100% of the time.
Luke: I'm usually pretty open about everything, but if I'm not good at something I will practice my ass off while no one else is looking. I guess that makes it private, but I don't think it's really any secret that I want to be the best at everything that I do.

Shane: I sometimes hyperventilate when I laugh too hard : (

Tripp: I'm scared of failure.

What do you find particularly confusing about women?

James: Why they play games.  Honestly ladies!!!  If a guy likes you, he likes you - period (he's already made up his mind).  If he doesn't like you, he will never like you.  Therefore, the whole "don't want to act too interested - need to play hard to get" thing is completely pointless.  If I like you, I want nothing more than to hear from you - as often as you are thinking of me - it won't turn me off (remember I've already made up my mind that I like you).  If I don't like you, you can wait 6 years to call me and guess what - I'm still not going to be interested lol!  Therefore, just be yourself, and you'll find out a whole lot sooner whether we're into you!
Luke: I cannot, for the life of me, understand why women say something when they don't mean it. It's even worse when they actually mean the exact opposite! How are we supposed to communicate well if you give me no indication of what's really going on in your mind?!
Shane: When they don’t voice their opinion or tell us one thing when they mean something completely opposite.

Tripp: How they can be hot one minute and cold the one second later. I wish I had Mel Gibson's ability in that movie where he could read women's minds, that'd make life easier.

Describe your ideal woman, personality-wise.

James: Someone who is everyday thoughtful.  I think deep down everyone is thoughtful to some degree (you see it during tragedies - how communities come together for each other).  However, I think everyday thoughtfulness is rare these days.  I am attracted to someone who thinks about others on a daily basis - just a genuinely caring person - something bad doesn't have to happen for them to show they care about people.
Luke: Smart, funny, fun, confident, nerdy, witty, loving, unselfish.
Shane: Makes me laugh, Sincere, Respectful, Kind, Trustworthy, Likes to go out and have fun, Compassionate, Caring, Not materialistic.

Tripp: Fun, passionate about life or something (has to give a damn basically), has to have sense of humor (sarcasm is a must), she has to enjoy my goofiness and be able to put up with it.
Mark: She needs to love the outdoors, be spontaneous yet responsible, genuinely caring, and appreciative. Many girls will take you for granted.

What is your #1 no-no in a relationship?

James: I have 2 I think - a lack of thoughtfulness, and narcissism. I will bend over backwards for someone I care about, including always trying to make sure their needs are a priority of mine.  In return, however, I want the same thing.  No matter how much of a connection I think I might have with someone, I have to feel that I am important to them to continue the relationship.  If they are constantly on their blackberry when they're around me, or always updating their facebook status with every little thing they think, or do throughout a day those are complete turn-offs!
Luke: Definitely jealousy. It's so unattractive--on anyone! If you're in a relationship you need to be confident that you're in it for a reason. I will not date someone that I can't see myself with for a long time, so it's weird to me that a girl I'm dating would be bothered by other girls looking at or talking to me.
Shane: Lunch and or phone conversations with exes.

Tripp: A lack of trust, you have to be able to be honest and open with your partner or it will never work.
Mark: Lying, even about the smallest things, is definitely a deal-breaker.  Trust is the most important thing in a relationship.

What will you be doing as soon as you're done filling out this questionnaire?

James: Running errands - life never stops, or slows down!!!

Luke: I'll be heading to class. That's about all my life is right now. School, school, school.

Shane: Grabbin' some H2O and relaxing on the couch....MMMM good.

Tripp: Running spellcheck, because I know I've misspelled a few words.

Mark: Watching the NFL playoffs with my father.

A great big xoxo and heartfelt thank you to the Cosmo bachelors for coming over to DIK Ladies and sharing with us, valuable insight and plenty of laughs. It was a pleasure getting to know each and every one of you :)

Photo credits: Individual bachelors, Cosmopolitan, and Josh Camero Photography (for Shane Meaney and Mark Margres).

For those of you who still want to enter my giveaway for a set of Harlequin oldies, you can still enter by following my blog via GFC and commenting on this post. Good luck!