I tend to love attention but am often struck by terrible shyness. I love people but sometimes want nothing more than to be by myself. I am endlessly patient when dealing with children. But that patience evaporates when an adult with a shopping cart is blocking the aisle because they can’t decide what orange juice to buy. I love living in a city with easy access to great bars, restaurants and culture. But, I grew up in the country, so I am quite often overtaken by an overwhelming need to see a tree that is not surrounded on all sides with concrete. I hate paying for fresh flowers at whole foods; I'd rather pick them.

Some might call me artsy. I’m certainly not beret-wearing artsy, but I’d agree that I’m creative. I am by no means a scrap booker, but I really enjoy making things, especially in the kitchen. I love the fact that if something is homemade, it’s entirely unique, without precedent. Art, music and books rock my world. Not sure how to explain it without seeming cheesy, but a good book, painting or song carries me to another time and place, taking me away from my current life, to a life I once lived or would like to live.

I've only realized this in the last year or so, but my primary focus over the last 10 years has been my career, to the detriment of other things. I'm trying to change that now.

parallel parking, bargain shopping, laughing until I cry, making other people laugh until they cry, playing with kids, cooking, downloading music, being the center of attention, cooking (but not baking), drawing bathes

My eyes are two different colors

Books: Anything by Geoff Nicholson, John Irving, Ian Mcewan, Nigella Lawson
Films: Muriel's Wedding, The Commitments, Beetlejuice, Empire of the Sun, Trainspotting, Fargo, Junebug, Strictly Ballroom
TV: Mad Men, Masterpiece Theater
Music: Massive Attack, the Stone Roses, Jesus & Mary Chain, Liz Phair (but just the first two albums), Tom Waits, Wedding Present, Magnetic Fields, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Brandi Carlile, Neko Case, Cat Power, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Langhorne Slim, Mountain Man
Food: The Duck Fat & Short Rib Fries at Whiskey Village, Banh Mi, Gnudi at the Spotted Pig, Artichokes, Pickles, Crudite, Lobster in any form, Avocados, Cheese, Oyster Shooters at Umai Umai, BBQ, BLT's, Eggs Benedict, Chana Masala, Bi Bim Bap, Bulgogi, Kebabs in England, Tsatsiki, Sushi, Chocolate with Sea Salt, Creme Brulee
Drink: Zinfandels and Malbecs, Bloody Marys, Mimosas, Victory's Golden Monkey, Vodka Tonics, Baileys Irish Cream & Hot Cocoa, and anything from Franklin Mortgage in Philly. And, actually, as long as it doesn't taste like licorice or coconut, I'll drink it. But, if I were to dedicate too much of this section to drink preferences, I'd probably be sending the wrong message.

1. Music
2. Friends
3. Flowers (but not those gross bouquets from superfresh)
4. Good food & drink
5. My cat
6. Art

World peace, of course

Drinking wine, beer and/or spirits

I don't ever read the business section

You find yourself visiting my profile more than once