Hey. My name is Dan. I'm here with the specific intention of meeting folks in real life. Here are some important facts about me:

I'm compulsively organized and focused, but I get shit done with a smile. I'm probably too silly.

I'm realistic, but I live life with a positive outlook. Good health is the foundation of my life, and I have infinite energy. My goal is to feel the same, if not better than I do now, when I reach 40, and then 50, and then 60.

I'm a minimalist who appreciates quality over quantity. Practicality is important to me. I've traveled and lived overseas but I'm content here at the moment. I <3 NY.

I'm a musician and a political leftist, but not the hippie type. I'm passionate about my beliefs, but they don't dictate my identity or dominate my life, so I won't shove 'em down your throat. My opinions are informed as I read often, mostly non-fiction - politics, history, sociology, and current events.

Basketball. I play, sometimes with a bit too much of a reckless abandon, so you'll probably catch me limping around somewhat often. I follow the Knicks.

Facilitating various youth development programs at a community fitness organization in Queens which help kids stay active, get engaged in community, do well in school, etc.

Currently working on putting together an event focusing on gentrification in downtown Manhattan. Otherwise, I do a tad bit of work with a Human Rights organization.

Working out. I run. I bike. I play basketball. I frequent the local Y. I'm invested in fitness and health. I usually run and bike all year round, but I'm currently struggling through a chronic foot injury. In the meantime, I'm swimming and studying for personal trainer certification.

Making music. I also perform from time to time, and occasionally engineer live audio. I recently signed my first royalty agreement, as a Hip Hop vocalist, with a production company in France, but I'm not interested in a music career - I won't settle for less than 100% creative control over my art, kthx!

I cook just about every ounce of food that I ingest, when possible. Cooking is extremely intimate to me and I adore cooking with and for people.

detecting bullshit. anything i put my mind to. dressing well.

Malcolm X, Elaine Brown, Huey Newton, Bertrand Russell, Judith Butler, Anne Fausto-Sterling, Vijay Prashad, Wendy Brown, Chomsky, Foucault, Fred Ho, Fanon, Maude Barlow, Angela Davis, Grace Lee (Triple G) Boggs, Arundhati Roy, Michelle Alexander, Hosea Jaffe, Lorenzo Kom'Boa Ervin, Glen Greenwald, J. Sakai, Helen Caldicott

Depeche Mode, Coltrane, KRS, Dvorak, Rachmaninoff, Musarrat Nazir, Meshuggah, Allman Bros, Sly and the Family Stone, Robert Glasper, Dead Prez, Black Star, Fela, Jimi, Prince, Brother Ali, Angra, Booker Ervin, Jefferson Starship, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Das Racist, Badu, Invincible, Miles, Ennio Morricone, Bob Marley, Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Art Blakey, Dilla, Ulver, Queen, Joe Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie, Genesis, Mussorgsky, Johnny Hartman, Blu, Rotten Sound, Pat Metheny, Ghostface, Otis Redding, Iron Maiden, Christian Scott, Katatonia, Action Bronson, Stevie Wonder

I especially dig South Asian, Himalayan, Latin American, Italian and Chinese food, all sorts of tea, and I've recently been dabbling rather seriously in scotch. I drink a latte here and there.

I don't watch much TV anymore, but I was really into The Wire and Battlestar. Currently into Game of Thrones. The French Connection is my favorite movie. I enjoy good documentaries.

NYC
Kitchen
Bicycle
Books
Music
Fam

I'm not a transplant!

you've read my entire profile. It's not that long. Please read before messaging/replying.

you're interested in meeting in real life.

you're independent and confident, but not arrogant, pretentious, or entitled.

your pictures look like you.

you ain't a flake or a mess.

you're pro-Queens (the borough), pro-Queer, pro-Black, etc.

you got swag.