I tend to think that who you are is best expressed in what you think, do, and enjoy--your impetus for living and the way you live--so consider the complete profile a more realistic self-summary, but I guess I'd call myself an intellectual and independent person. At the same time, I tend to seek out very intense friendships and intimate relationships with like minded people, and I tend to be pretty open. Despite some strong convictions, I'm not pedantic, and don't need you to believe everything I do for us to get along.

I answer all inquires (ignore the "rarely responds" thing, got spammed), so ask away if you're curious.

I just graduated with a BS in psychology and philosophy from Duquesne university, and am currently working with two professors, studying film with one, and interviewing members of underprivileged inner city communities with the other. Theory is finally meeting praxis, basically. Work wise, I got accepted to precisely the kind of job that grad schools love to see on the resumes of perspective psych students--placement in a psychiatric hospital and clinic.

Bonus points if you're an inmate at an accredited psychiatric institution, or could be.

The other thing I'm doing with my life is getting in shape. I was kind of costing along, fitness-wise, but then I discovered lifting, doing cardio, and not eating garbage, and I've been hooked since. Tangibly, gradually improving your body is a welcome analogue to building your mind.

-Listening and being present
-Writing alot
-Editing all that writing down into something meaningful
-reading books that most people don't care about but the people who do care about really love
-playing amateur psychoanalyst and being right pretty frequently
-being credulous and incredulous simultaneously, and resolving apparent contradictions
-remembering interesting quotes only until it's time to actually use them
-building and fixing things, including entire houses (thanks to 450 hours with Habitat for Humanity)
-Skiing, which I wish I could do more of
-& being open to new things to get "really good at"

Broad shoulders? Depends on who's looking.

Beyond appearances, if I get the chance to engage you in conversation, I know I can pretty much be funny or at least sardonic. I don't like small talk or "going through the motions", though. I'll talk to you about anything at all, since propriety is basically the most stifling thing going. Given a good partner, I like to talk, and I like to argue.

I love philosophy and nearly switched majors in the semester before graduation, despite knowing the implications. I taught myself to write (and think) by reading the best French and German authors-- the works of Camus, Sartre, Fanon, De Beauvoir (though I haven't yet done her justice), Heidegger, and Nietzsche, among others, are all really important to me. If you aren't familiar with them, that's fine, it's not like it's a deal-breaker or something.

...If you are into philosophy, however--particularly continental-- send me a message just so I know there is *a* woman out there who's well read in the subject. (jk but not really kidding)

Besides that, Austin, Dick, Cheever, (is this guy boring or really subtle?), Carver, Murikami, Tolkien, Hemingway, Faulkner, Plato, and many more have space on my shelves. I like seeing lived in fiction what I enjoy about philosophy--ethical conundrums, discovery, ambiguity, angst, and redemption. I'd trade all of Dostoevsky for half of Kafka.

I've seen basically any movie you can name (the benefits of a wasted youth!), and, given the chance, usually go for stuff like like Taxi Driver, The Shining, Drive, Lolita, Spinal Tap, Black Swan, Terminator, THX1138, Brazil, The Actor, Prometheus, Lost in Translation, Mosquito Coast, Blade Runner (only the extended cut!) ect. I like thoughtful movies, and, though I haven't listed them because it proves nothing, I am very interested in experimental and openly philosophical/interrogative films, the kind that keep theme and spectacle in the same space. I love the old existentialist greats like Bresson and Bergman, as well as newer narrative directors like Pedro Costa. I'd be thrilled if you were already into these kinds of movies, and even happier to introduce you.

TV, Girls on HBO, Masterpiece Theater/PBS productions, and the X-files. TV is pretty dumb though, overall. Also I don't pay for TV and I hope you don't either.

Though I try to keep my ipod from looking like a staff favorites list at Pitchfork, my tastes are mostly indie and alt music. Been listening to Chairlift, Girls, Crystal Castles, Sleigh Bells, Fleet Foxes, Chromatics, Cloud Nothings, Cut Copy, Grimes, Kavinsky, M83, Neon Indian, Ratatat, Salem, St. Vincent, Cults, The Shoes, Father John Misty, Ruin, The Misfits (Danzig era), Kraftwerk, Twin Shadow, Bear in Heaven, Ramones, Dead Kennedys, The Vaccines, Girls, and recently, everything by The Smiths and everything by Morrisey.

Eating well is a necessity. I like Mediteranian, Chinese, Mexican, good Italian, Sushi, and quality steak joints. A pizza and a bottle of wine can be great too, though, in good company.

books
something to write with and on
music & movies
good things to eat and drink
exercise
and a dog. My previous dog recently hit its expiration date. If you have or know of one or more dogs in need of a new home, we're already set.

My studies are the most involving aspect of my life right now, so I spend alot of time thinking about things pertaining to psychology, but I'm also interested in politics and social issues, popular culture, art, and the human experience generally (god, how pretentious, right?).

I've also think about how to write like the people I read. Authentic writing is concise, difficult, profound, terrifying, cathartic, and intensely personal--pretty much the opposite of what you learn to produce in school "for grades".

Bonus points if you're a good proof-reader.

I also spend time thinking about how to be a modern liberal without replacing my well-reasoned opinions with all the right post-post-modern standards. I would love to never hear anyone say the words "non-monogamous sex-positive cis-gendered vegan locavore" ever again, not because there's anything wrong with any of those things, but because we're turning language into a quasi-political system of empty social status "updates". It's hipster bullshit disguised as sociology.

I like to go out to eat and drink, watch movies, chill with friends, or listen to music and read/write. I don't drink much, but I don't dislike drinking.

I like drawing, too, and am pretty good I think. Let's sit around and draw, really.

I try to be as transparent as possible, so it's hard to know what to say here. I don't see a point in dancing around anything, really.

Since the question's here, though, this is my first time trying online dating. School--and now work--is/has been my life for a few years now, and this feels like the best way to get back into the social scene.

If you think we could be compatible--if you know yourself, have meaningful thoughts and opinions, keep formality and presupposition at a distance, have realistic aspirations, good taste, a sense of humor and a passion for freedom in thought and deed, and want someone to match--go for it. What's the point of browsing if you never reach out, right?

Since the okc messenger is terrible, feel free to contact me on Kik @ Alexander_1989.

I have a minor stipulation: I am not attracted to overweight people, though what it means to be overweight is of course contextual. Ah well.