Known colloquially as Vav. Occasionally as Jo.

When his sleeping patterns aren't regulated, he tends to sleep about as much as an alert platypus, or a somewhat lethargic gerbil.

Used to be very proficient at DDR, but hasn't been on a mat in years. Retains an under-utilised potential for most rhythm-based video games. A fan of urban landscapes, especially at night. Rampages through cryptic crosswords.

Always has a book with him, but these days, it's probably a textbook with a hilarious title. If given a choice between being covered in scales, feathers or fur, he would choose feathers.

Typically found in deserts, libraries, puddles and sleazy chain cafes. Sounds British, but isn't.

A closeted role-playing geekish person. Knows a few select sentences in many languages. Can sing the "Nations of the World" song from Animaniacs.

Has a dark past. Because he used to work underground.

I read a lot of books.

I recently started working on a PhD at Columbia University. I hope to finish before the decade is over. Some day I will be a medical anthropologist who pretends to be a literary theorist. Or vice versa.

I pay the bills by doing research. It's a pretty sweet deal.

Getting lost in cities I know well.

Talking about nonsense. I can lie convincingly without even thinking about it.

Remembering useless details.

Pretending I'm from the Shetland Islands.

Books:
"Perdido Street Station" and "Iron Council", by China Mieville. "The Dispossessed" by Ursula K. Le Guin, and almost everything else she's written. "Pandora" by Jilly Cooper. Most Terry Pratchett novels, especially "Good Omens". The Millennium Trilogy, by Stieg Larsson. "Zoo City by Lauren Beukes. "The Likeness" by Tana French. Short stories by James Tiptree Jr.. Portrait of a Lady by Henry James.
On the textbookish side: "The Traveller-Gypsies" by Judith Okely. "Simians, Cyborgs and Humans" by Donna J. Haraway. "Writing Women's Worlds" by Leila Abu-Lughod. Epistemology of the Closet, by Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick.

Movies:
Bring It On. A Dirty Shame, Serenity, Some Like It Hot, Gattaca, Waltz with Bashir, Children of Men, Strange Days.

Shows:
30 Rock. Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Two Fat Ladies. Firefly. America's Next Top Model. The IT Crowd. Misfits. Community. University Challenge.

Music:
Rufus Wainwright. Skunk Anansie. Epica. Scissor Sisters. Amit Erez. Kate Bush. Gwen Stefani. Röyksopp. Robyn. Ladytron. Rebekka Karijord. Teen Girl Scientist Monthly. Janelle Monáe. CockNBullKid. Nicola Roberts. Sigur Rós. Goldfrapp.
Like many gay/provincial Europeans (delete as appropriate) I'm also inexplicably obsessed with Eurovision. I tend to like the Moldavian entries, for some reason.

Food:
Until a few years ago, I was vegan for a long time and vegetarian before that, so my diet still leans towards the vegan side of things. I really like tofu in any kind of hot sauce. I make very large salads of all kinds.

Waterproof shoes, cats, sunshine, artichokes, The Queen of Belgium, and strong water pressure in my shower.

Ageing.

Epigenetics.

Cassowaries.

Perth.

Reykjavik.

Probably reading something or drinking something. Or both.

I've been known to cry when dancing to Depeche Mode.

You think it would be fun for us to talk to each other, or to go out into the non-online world and do something exciting.

You need someone to join in a role-playing game. I haven't played for a while, but I'd like to get back in the habit.

You'd like to share your knowledge of curious places around NYC.