I am more random then I am not. I often lack that whole brain mouth censor and it's been known to get me in trouble but it has also been good for a few good laughs among friends.

I am head over heels madly in love...with...a somewhat stinky, always silly little pup named Schatzi. Apparently Schatzi is the wrong name though because she is not a doxie. I didn't know the name was a doxie-exclusive until recently. How fitting that I have a misnamed dog though.

I am at a point in my life where change seems to be the norm, and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. I am relearning some things most people take for granted and though it's tough, I am so grateful for the opportunity to make my life what I always knew it could be.

I am fond of run on sentences with lots of commas. It's a damn good thing my English teaching days are over. Oh elipses are fun too.

I was born to be a beach bum but reality had other plans for me. So I listen to Jimmy Buffett instead to get my fix between, not often enough, beach trips.

I am trying to find new hobbies. Not to slight the old ones but new is good and who doesn't like strange ever now and again?

The older I get the closer I become to my family. They were there when I was nothing and will be there long after I become something and that is priceless. I have a wonderful group of friends who I am lucky to call family as well.

I have a mother who thinks that Hail Mary's will save the world. Despite my difference in beliefs, I find religion and philosophy fascinating.

As much as I know who I am, it is hard to put into words because it is ever changing and always growing. Ask me tomorrow and my story may be a bit different because every day is an opportunity for it all to change. Never will I take my breaths for granted...

Holding down a job that fulfills me and maintaining and obtaining hobbies that fulfill other parts of me.

Learning a new life because I can.

Swimming 4-7 days a week. I definitely own my 72% water.

Wouldn't you like to know???

No really...hmm...dog-speak? Just ask Schatzi. Wait! I'll ask for you. Yup. She said I am. I knew it.

Being a dork.

My volume.

Books:

I LOVE to read but with my busy schedule I am notorious for re-reading the beginning of numerous books and taking forever to actually complete them, if at all. Here are a couple of my all-time favorites that I have managed to read cover to cover, multiple times in fact:

-Great Expectations (Charles Dickens) -The Color Purple (Alice Walker) -To Kill A Mockinbird (Harper Lee) -Angels & Demons (Dan Brown) -Davinci Code (Dan Brown) -Outlander Series (Diana Gabaldon) -Lord of the Rings Triology (JRR Tolkien) -Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka) -Dracula (Bram Stoker) -Aus mein Leben. Dichtung und Wahrheit "Poetry and Truth" (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

Movies:

I will have to admit my list is short and there are TONS of great movies I need to see but here is a list of few of my personal favs:

-Nosferatu -Run Lola Run -Boondocks Saints -Love Actually -Equilibrium -Lord of the Rings Trilogy -Casablance -Empire Records -Benny and Joon -The Neverending Story -The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari -Fight Club -Kids -Thirteen -Labrynth

Oh and The Breakfast Club, definitely The Breakfast Club.

I am usually up to watch almost any movie when I get the chance to.

Music:

Top 3 All-time Favs (aka MY holy trinity): -Pantera -Tool -Nine Inch Nails In my humble opinion, no one can touch these three bands.

Others (in no particular order): -Killswitch Engage -The Doors -Unearth -Gin Blossoms -Cannibal Corpse -Jimi Hendrix -God Forbid -A Perfect Circle -Rage Against the Machine -Slayer -The Beatles -Vehemence -Slipknot -Ozzy -Janis Joplin -Rammstein -Lemonheads -Stevie Ray Vaughan -Ani Difranco -Agnostic Front -System of a Down -Rob Zombie -Walls of Jericho -Black Sabbath -Eric Clapton -Down -Poison the Well -Cradle of Filth -Jimmy Buffett -From Autumn to Ashes -Autumn Offering -Korn -Spin Doctors -Taproot -Opeth -Steve Miller Band -Lamb of God -Disturbed -Children of Bodom -Amon Amarth -Tom Petty -God Dethroned -E Nomine -In Flames -Trivium -The Black Dahlia Murder -MANY MANY MANY MORE.....

Basically, I love music. If you can't tell, I have a thing for metal but am by no means limited to that. I can appreciate all kinds of music. I was raised on great classic rock and will always have a soft spot for it. I also love me some early 90's alternative. Basically, if I connect with it on some level, I will listen to it. Oh yeah and I have a major thing for Jimmy Buffett. It's a tradition with my dad and me and it holds a lot of sentimental value for me. Tease all you want but the parrot-head is in me to stay.

Food (in no particular order):

-Italian -Indian -A good burger and fries -Fried calamari -Meringues -Anything (without coconut) from my parents' bakery -Protein

1. My loved ones (ie my family, my friends, and, of course, my dog!)

2. My passport.

3. Art.

4. Music.

5. Corrective lenses (preferably with rhinestones).

6. My membership at the Y. (Having the ability to swim year round is good for my soul.)

Everything! I am an avid day-dreamer since youth and really enjoy letting my mind wander. It helps fuel my creativity and reminds me of what could be. I do spend time in reality too though, thinking about bills and responsibilities and of course, the people I love.

Your guess is as good as mine. With friends, at home with the pup, working on a random project or another, traveling whenever the finances allow, driving because I can....the list goes on. Got any suggestions? I am usually down.

I talked about my vagina on a very popular morning radio show once. I even have the shirt to prove it. Well, I guess it can't be all that private if I talked about it on the radio.

I could also say my tendency towards "thinking out loud", especially in the shower, when I am "working through a problem". Sometimes random singing is included but that's only when I know no one else is around to hear.

You feel like it.

Something in all my diatribe struck you or piqued your interest.

You're bored.

You think you may have something to teach me or me you.

You think you can challenge me and help open up my world. I want and need more adventure in life but sometimes let my own fears hold me back.

Just because. I am always up for new, intelligent, and sometimes even unintelligent conversation.