Hi, I'm...Actually, you know what? If you aren't able to figure out my name, I think that you should just stop here and move on. Cool? Cool.

I've been living in New York (Astoria, Queens) for about 4 years now, finishing up school (I graduated in '07 after taking some time off and then taking my time) and working. I love my neighborhood, and I'm so glad that I chose it when I moved here.

While I'm not able to get away as often as I'd like, I love to travel, and I'm the type who likes to really get to know the place that I'm visiting. As an example, if I were from out of town and visiting NYC, sure I'd see Times Square and Empire State, but I'd also have totally geeked out, done my research, and known to go to Flushing for Chinese food, or that I could see the Statue of Liberty for free from the Staten Island Ferry.

I'm also a night owl. Hoot!

I'm a photographer. Say cheese!

I love to cook, and I'm pretty good at it. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone (other than myself) to cook for too often. The result is my mental pile of "things I'd like to try making one day" is longer that I'd care to admit!

I'm also a champion of those stuffed animal vending machine claw things. I don't know why I'm drawn to them, and I found stuffed animals annoying even as a child, but for some reason, getting a Tweety Bird for a quarter always amuses me.

My glasses. I don't know what it is about girls in glasses, but here I am/they are!

(Ok, so I wrote that a long time ago, and they're now broken. I miss my glasses. I'm working my way through a backup stash of contacts. But the glasses will return!)

Books: Lately I've been searching summer reading lists on the web and re-reading books that I should have really read in high school, instead of just grabbing the Cliff's Notes. I recently picked up a used copy of East of Eden that (I think) was printed in the late 60s. It smells good, like the library in my hometown, and the cover art and font used is fantastic. Haven't read it yet though (what does it say about me that I'm more excited about the way this book looks and smells than I am to actually get around to reading it?)

Movies/TV: The best movie I've seen in the past 6 months is Revolutionary Road. Gorgeous, gorgeous movie. The TV show that I've enjoyed the most in the past 6 months is 30 Rock. (I recently got into it, thanks Netflix!)

We will not discuss the reality shows I dvr, because frankly, it's a little embarrassing.

Food: I'm not a very picky eater, but I do definitely have some favorite/standard foods, and they tend to be on the spicy side. Other than that, I'll try anything at least once.

I think I need to make it a priority to go to brunch more, because man, breakfast food is tasty. But annoying to cook right after you wake up.

are not so practical: crappy reality tv, cadbury mini-eggs (why can't they make them year round?), St. Ives Apricot face scrub, text messaging, the internet, the occasional happy hour with neighborhood friends.

Where to park my car. Alternate side parking can be a bitch sometimes.

I'm either:

- sleepy and relaxing at home
- working (not too often but it comes up)
- out with friends at a local restaurant or pub (I like places where I can sit and hang out, not really into trendy club/lounge type places)
- having or going to a movie/game night with friends

While I can stay out til 4 in the morning (sometimes), I'm also perfectly happy staying in PJ's all day Saturday catching up on Netflix (sometimes). I think too much of either is a bad thing. Everything in moderation, right?

My rock star dream = me on the drums.

You're reading this. Why not? It's free! And you're thinking about it, I can tell.