I have just returned to the Pacific Northwest after living out of the country, so I am still catching up on pop culture and travel here-so I am never bored. Live music, spoken word, movies, poetry readings, lectures, Rat City Roller Girls, hiking, camping, cycling...

I instigate languishing breakfasts that turn into lunch, and enjoy the cozy...be that banter with friends or reading and writing... however I need to be outside everyday (no matter the weather) just to breath and feel nothing over my head. I want to know what is happening in the world, however I know the good is rarely newsworthy. I enjoy a good debate but can easily dissolve into teasing...I was never a little sister but think I would have been a good one ;)

I like to surprise people, have a good dose of spontaneity, a gentle disregard for certain 'laws'- and typically a lack of attachment to 'the original plan.' I tend to take the lead if everyone is sitting on their hands, however I always offer options-there is no one way, no perfect dish...so why not sample?

Oh yeah-and I dance a lot...

I have been living life as it comes along-in 6 months to 1 year blocks, trying not to get too overwhelmed with all i want to see/do/experience/learn, realizing over time that a collection of experiences can make for good story swapping (for a short time) however being open to day to day living, no matter how mundane-that is even more compelling and attractive.

My work with not for profits has framed a lot of my life, travel and friendships. Sometimes work has been the whole structure of a very unhealthy dwelling, but that is not the case now. As my work is manifested from issues that I care deeply about it is hardly 9-5 and then its done. I have tasted burn-out and it is not fun, and I am no martyr... so it is best to laugh at my sense of importance... and let it go...

I am energized being back in Seattle-even though parts of the City are irrecognizable...it is still a place of possibility.

finding the ridiculous, putting people at ease, stepping up, developing and maintaining friendships, being out of my comfort zone...

I have long reddish hair, I can chat with most anyone-even if we don't share a language, I accent words on sometimes unexpected syllables.

Flavors of the moment...

Books-Notes from a Small Island-Bill Bryson, Fair Trade for All-Joseph Steiglitz, anything by Adrienne Rich
Movies-MILK, the Yes Men, Made in LA
Music-my current 'radio stations' are Ani Difanco, Elvis Costello, Los Van Van, Portishead, Pink Martini and a hodge podge of Flamanco, jazz and classical (strings mostly)
Food-Ethiopian/Eritrean, Middle Eastern-all esp. dolmathas, South Asian-well really all of Asia-I like rice, Tapas, Latin American..and a smattering of Pacific NW fare (seafood) and sometimes a good biscuit and bowl of grits are nice...

A good black pen, deep red, sushi, the smell of ylang ylang, sea salt, skirts, music

Thinking in general! How to stop the thinking really...so much to consider and how do I place myself within all of it? Not hard to spend hours wondering about the gross inequity in the world and how the human experience is so far from universal as to almost feel unrelated at times.

People are an endless curiosity to me-what are they thinking these animals that skulk around upright going and doing...then a real does of the unknown creeps in-what after this? The bus provides the time and the conveyor belt of new stories at every stop...not always what is revealed but what I think the plot should be....

doing what interests me on that night...possibly hearing music, or escaping to the wilderness, or making a meal and staying at home or bundling it up for a picnic, visiting friends or doing something I can not even name because I have not yet done it

Nothing that would pass the 'oh that is private' test...

you are a good question asker and want to share as well as learn...then send along a note...