Dangerously close to jack of all trades master of none territory.

I'm finishing a PhD program in chemistry and trying to figure out my next move. Parlaying a science PhD into something that doesn't involve working for the man is not so simple. When I'm not stressing out about that, I push around a few hobbies. My band (I play guitar and sing...in both cases kind of badly...but it's fun) and learning spanish are the projects of the moment. Running in Central Park for a change of pace and peace of mind. Political activities too.

I listen to a lot of music. I've got broad tastes, but definitely know what I like. Right now my favorite thing to listen to is "Help" by Thee Oh Sees of San Francisco. That's a pretty sweet record.

Finding my way around. Keeping myself busy. Rolling with the punches.

Books...the plague, a light in august, invisible man, and Salinger's 9 stories are the all time favorites. In a different vein, The Power Broker and Caro's LBJ series are pretty great too.

Movies and TV...2001: a space odyssey, bad sleep well, big lebowski, bedazzled, shane, the 39 steps and Hitchcock in general, twilight zone, the prisoner, danger man.

Food...Nothing beats a San Francisco burrito. Unfortunately, they are 3000 miles away. But New York definitely has a lot to offer. I try to cook a bit too. Mostly vegetarian - exceptions for tight situations, new food and when I feel like it - if that kind of thing matters to you. Suffice to say I'm not dogmatic about it. But I guess it bears mentioning.

Music...classics: coltrane, ellington, dylan, beatles, bee gees, rolling stones, gene clark and the byrds, townes van zandt, rocksteady, ska, dancehall. Things I listened to a lot in high school and college: sonic youth, lungfish, damo-era can, pixies, pavement, will oldham. Odd things: north american frogs, nonesuch explorer. Newer things: animal collective, thee oh sees, ty segall, ovens, the intelligence, wooden shjips, amen dunes.

Lately, I've been listening to this song a lot from NJ band Home Blitz.
http://blogfiles.wfmu.org/NR/02_Two_Steps.mp3

I love noisy pop.

friends/family
record player
columbia cottage
running shoes
aquariusrecords.org
rock and roll

Whether my gut is wiser than my head when it comes to decision making. I'm starting to think that's the case.

And! What has happened such that Ayn Rand is turning up on every other person's favorite books list? At the risk of offending every other person: seriously?!? You know she had a pretty messed up political philosophy...

Avoiding the places in the city that get ugly on Friday nights. I like shows, friend's apartments, low key bars, and aimlessly wandering around the city as alternatives.

I've got clumsy first moves.

Oh yeah. After my friends at Aquarius Records insisted that I listen to her music with an open mind, I've discovered that I dig some Beyonce. Didn't see that coming. The rest of the pop divas are shit, but Beyonce has something going on.

it makes sense. I'm primarily on the site to meet new people for dating. But meeting new people in general is great. I'm always in the market for new friends to see shows with, for example.