I have a pronounced Peter Pan complex, minus the fairies and detachable shadow. While I hate the term "geek", since I've not once ever bitten the head off a chicken, I'll concede that it applies. Beyond that -- and so few go beyond that, alas -- I'm an occasionally aspiring writer, a so far inactive skeptic, and an easygoing soul (in the metaphoric sense) with a dark sense of humor. And I write like some stodgy early 20th century writer, but you knew that.

Computer programming (yes, Java, OkCupid C++ snobs), playing D&D and other tabletop role-playing games, writing fiction and random crap in the increasingly rare moments I'm not mindlessly surfing the web.

Working. Not working. Constructing sentences. (The jury's still out on weaving sentences into entertaining tales.) Adapting to changing circumstances. Pontificating on subjects I sort of know about, then running to Wikipedia to check if I was right.

I'm also very good at forgetting things. My login comes from Latro, the protagonist in Gene Wolfe's Soldier of the Mist and sequels, who forgets everything that's happened the previous day and carries a scroll to remind himself who he is and what's happened. Hey, there's an idea ...

A bunch of these tests claim I'm actually a sensitive and caring romantic partner. We'll have to see about that ...

Notice? Me? In restaurants, people ask if they can borrow the chair I'm sitting in.

Books: My taste in fiction is mainly science fiction, fantasy, horror, and hard-boiled mysteries, include Philip K. Dick, Neil Gaiman, Tim Powers, Thomas Ligotti, Terry Pratchett, Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. Nonfiction interests include ancient history (which as yet I know little about), history of religion, general science, computer programming, and any offbeat subject that catches my eye. I once read an entire book on the history of porcelain.

Movies/TV: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, most other stuff by Akira Kurosawa, the work of Fritz Lang (especially _M_ and _The Testament of Dr. Mabuse_), V for Vendetta, Firefly/Serenity, the oeuvre of Monty Python, Invader Zim, horror films (especially the old Universal and Hammer films), anime series like Fullmetal Alchemist, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Paranoia Agent (and Satoshi Kon's other work), Vision of Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo. I'm also developing an interest in film noir and Asian movies. Oh, and I've been a huge Doctor Who fan since I was a kid, and the new series is pretty cool.

Music: Classical, Jazz, and a whole bunch of anime soundtracks: FMA, Utena, some of Yoko Kanno's stuff. I'm not really a musical afficiando; I just pick out stuff I've heard and liked.

Food: just about anything, but particularly Japanese, Thai, and Chicago-style pizza which, alas, only truly exists in Chicago.

In no particular order: an Internet connection (particularly DSL), my laptop, coffee, food, shelter, and water. Oh, if the last three are assumed, books, books, and more books. (Although I'm nowhere near Read or Die levels of bibliophilia ... yet.)

Where my life is going. Whether our current president can fix the economy before the pod people get him. Why all religions degenerate from profound thoughts about bettering mankind to absurd delusions that cost lives.

OK, I lie. Mostly I think about acquiring books and DVDs I never have time to enjoy, and why don't I get off the Internet and accomplish ... ooh, shiny.

Either hanging out with friends or, more commonly, reading and/or sleeping at my place. So very dull am I.

OK, here's the minimum requirements:

a) You have at least a passing acquaintance with punctuation, capitalization, grammar, and spelling.

b) You can say something funny, provocative, or interesting. "hi write back okay?" doesn't count.

c) You've got a somewhat filled-in profile, so I can at least guess who I'm talking to.

d) If you're a straight/bi woman around my age or older, you can describe yourself as something besides "full of life", "caring", and "adventurous".

e) If you're a straight/bi woman notably younger than me (in my pathetic and lonely dreams!), you can demonstrate possession of a fully formed brain.

f) You've read my profile, and cite even one bit in your first message.

g) You're not looking for a "fixer-upper". There are some habits I'd like to change, true, but others I'm quite happy with, thank you. (Lack of) religion, belief in science, and a number of other beliefs and aspirations are firmly in the latter category. When in doubt, ask.

Having said that, go ahead and send the message. It could be the start of a beautiful friendship. Or the start of an armed resistance against fascist invaders. Whatever.