In terms of describing my basic personality, I think it's probably best to start off by providing some of the observations my friends (male & female) have made, such as that I'm emotionally/mentally a guy masquerading in the body of a girly-girl, that I'm intense and spontaneous, but "in a totally fun way, not a bad or bitchy way", and that they suspect the reason I'm still single is because I simply haven't met anyone who can keep up with me yet (I concur). So, I guess all that to say that the faint of heart need not apply, but not because I'm impossible to deal with or super picky; quite the contrary. I'm actually very laidback, and simply tend to approach life and new situations thinking, "Why not?" more often than I think, "Why would anyone do that?" Mostly, I just know who I am and I know what I want, and I need someone who is the same and is not intimidated by that. I'm certainly not the type to jump into a serious relationship or make hasty decisions, but I am looking for something where that kind of "this is it" has the potential to develop. This is NOT negotiable. I want a lifelong partner in crime, but that said, while I definitely am seeking commitment, I am not seeking much convention. Any further explanation you need, feel free to ask.

I'll soon be finishing up my first full year as an ESL instructor for a school district in Oklahoma. I love what I do, as it gives me a freedom, license for creativity, and overall mobility that most teachers don't have, and I'm grateful for that. The challenges that my kids face on a daily basis, and the ways in which they face and overcome them is really inspiring to me. Do I wish there were a few more zeros on the end of my paycheck? Sure. Do I regret or dislike my career? A heck of a lot less than most people seem to, so that's enough for me. Until I decide to join the Peace Corps or start a commune or whatever other random adventure presents itself, that is. It's been too long since I had one of those, I'm afraid.

I'm also a writer when I actually have the time, and a perk of teaching is that you have summers mostly free. This is my first year to have that, and I'm very much looking forward to it. Other than that, I have a lot of close friendships, both with people that live near me and long-distance from my grad school days, so I divide the rest of my free time between hanging out with/talking to them, reading random books, watching random movies, and being a complete gym rat.

Anything active, making a mean Bloody Mary, horseback riding, writing, picking good music, film & literary criticism, cooking (especially making healthy food taste good), telling dirty jokes, entertaining small children & animals, dancing, putting my foot in my mouth (figuratively, not literally), serving as damage control on evening outings, camping, hiking, fishing, being good company on roadtrips and at concerts and poker (although I'm getting a little rusty).

Oh, and come to think of it, I also stomp ass at Wii boxing, 007 on Nintendo 64, and pretty much any Mario or Donkey Kong game, ever. Oh, and Need for Speed and various other car games. The others...need some work. lol

One more thing...I recently discovered how much fun beer brewing can be, and I'd like to keep delving into learning more about that. I mean, you do get a pretty awesome reward for your effort, and the process is fun as well.

And, because I'm getting asked this frequently, here is a new, favorite dirty joke, off the BBC sitcom, Coupling:

Salesman: "Pity. Why do girls like you always have to have a boyfriend?"

Susan: "Because I have acute nymphomania and my own brewery."

And finally, perhaps my two favorite quotes of all time:

"Kid, life's short and we all gotta die of something. May as well make it something you enjoy." --my dad

"I have never made but one prayer to God, a very short one: 'O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous.' And God granted it." --Voltaire

Personality-wise: My confidence; the fact that I'll start reading something if I'm bored at a social gathering; my ability to make them laugh; my occasional spectacular clumsiness, and finally, my insane capacity for random & generally useless information.

Physically (so I'm told): My eyes, my smile, my waist, my butt.

I'm very eclectic and I'll try almost anything once, but a handful of favorites for each category are as follows:

Books: One Hundred Years of Solitude, Lolita, The Stone Diaries, Into the Wild, The Dirt, In Cold Blood, and Interview with the Vampire. LATEST, STRONGEST RECOMMENDATION: The Life of Pi. It's one of those life-altering books--not in that it will necessarily alter your existing views (though I suppose it could), but in that you may find it opening up new views, and new ways of contemplating life. And now I'm done dorking out.

Movies: Secretary, High Fidelity, Juno, Braveheart, The Descent, Hard Candy,Mulholland Drive, Badlands, Days of Heaven, Last of the Mohicans, 3 Women, Best in Show, Super Troopers, The Motorcycle Diaries, A Ma Soeur!, and The Piano.

Oh, and last movie I watched was Elegy, which pretty much made me want to Plath myself. I can't say I recommend it, although it wasn't a bad movie.

Music: Any '80s hair metal (especially Poison, Motley Crue, & Skid Row), Journey, Counting Crows, Pearl Jam, The National, Interpol, Radiohead, The Roots, Vampire Weekend, Ola Podrida, Deer Tick, The Builders & the Butchers,Fleet Foxes, Yeasayer and Cat Power. NEWEST, STRONGEST RECOMMENDATIONS: Why?, The Antlers, Hey Rosetta!, Horse Feathers and Bon Iver. My top five track list right now is as follows: 1) Harlem Shakes--"Strictly Game"; 2) Bell IX--"Defector"; 3) Phoenix--"1901"; 4) Bon Iver--"Brackett, W9"; 5) Clem Snide--"Oh No."

Clearly I take my music seriously. lol

Food: Anything healthy, anything spicy or otherwise hot, and Japanese and authentic Mexican--not Tex-Mex--are my two favorite cuisines, particularly sushi and spinach enchiladas. Oh, and pickled stuff, high quality cheeses, and other slightly snobby finger foods. Also, Tapatio makes everything better.

Not to be too completely predictable, but the first three are, of course, my family, my friends, and learning new things. After that comes self-respect, new music, and my cat, Beezus Benatar.

Why even complete strangers feel compelled to tell me their life stories. What makes so many people view kindness as weakness, and adherence to the status quo as stability. How much I'd like to have a horse again. Why expressions of violence seem to be more acceptable in American culture than those of sexuality. How I can find more time to surf mp3 blogs, visit libraries, and watch movies. Plot points of whatever I'm currently writing. How I can improve my fitness levels, body and mind. What South Park, Big Love or Dexter will come up with next. The state of America's educational system. What to wear when I go out this weekend. Why I always feel compelled to start knitting projects that I never, ever finish. What a good forensic pathologist I'd make. Why Terrance Malick doesn't make more movies. Why my damned media player always plays just the song I least want to hear the instant after I step into the shower. Just to name a few.

Either sacked out watching movies and enjoying some grand dinner I made for myself, or out with friends or hanging out at their houses. And sometimes on dates, of course.

Is that while most people tend to view me as outgoing, open, and friendly, and they're not entirely wrong, when it comes to relationships it often takes me awhile to get comfortable, gauge the other person, and develop some level of trust before I decide whether to settle down or not.

The facts sound good to you and you've actually read all this, not just looked at my pictures.