i have some doubts about how much we can learn about one another over computer screens, but i'll do my best to capture some of what's important (on OkCupid terms).

i'm new to madison and excited to explore the city and meet new people. friendship is my primary goal, but i'm open to whatever develops. i try to both seize the day and go with the flow. i love being outdoors, finding good spots to revisit, live music, independent film, theatre, and creativity in general. while i have little patience for cooking (unless someone else is doing it), i love to eat and hit farmers' markets. for me, life is all about the connections we make with others, learning from everything we do, exploring and growing along the journey. my humor can be dark, my attention can be both sharp and dreamy, and my heart is soft and in my sleeve (and i wouldn't have it any other way). i get shy in bigger groups, but am all-in with the one-on-one. i try to be grounded, sensitive, observant, present, open, humorous, grateful, and peaceful. that said, i'm also goofy, witty, intense, and pleasantly determined.

i am (hopefully) figuring things out, letting things go, helping people, learning, growing, and enjoying the spaces and people around me. i work, i play, i love, i live.

i've informally declared this a "year of yoga," but that's about as much planning ahead as you will find me engaging in. don't ask me where i'll be in 10 years... that question doesn't exist : )

in my past you'll find work in theatre, food service, bakeries, teaching, hospitals, community mental health centers, college and university counseling. i also have passions or affinities for ceramics, sewing, photography, biking, hiking, sign language, contact improvisational dance, acoustic guitar, and thift stores. (can i put all that together?...)

listening, thinking (and thinking...), singing/song-writing, balancing work and personal life, improvised creative endeavors (last-minute gifts, sewing projects, quick-fixes, last minute plans), finding the perfect gift, coming along for the ride, showing up with no plans, thinking in pictures, quoting and referencing movies, harmonizing, singing along to songs i've never heard before, dancing, trusting others, being patient, confusing people, confusing myself.

my hair and eyes? ( i think... you'd have to ask them to be sure).

books - reading can be challenging for me, but some books i've actually successfully enjoyed: anna karenina, tipping the velvet, fingersmith, 5 people you meet in heaven, peace is every step, way of the peaceful warrior, invisible man, the ethical slut, this sex which is not one, i know this much is true, a heartbreaking work of staggering genius, pj funny bunny, the perks of being a wallflower.

movies - (in no particular order) harold and maude, the big lebowski, spaceballs, pricess bride, manhunter, muppet movies, dancer in the dark, donnie darko, crossing delancy, kissing jessica stein, producing adults, thumb sucker, roshamon, the royal tenenbaums, say anything

music - ani difranco, tori amos, secret machines, arcade fire, muse, peter mulvey, deb talen, regina spektor, ellis, leonard cohen, beatles, new age, classical, folk, rock, pop, swing, jazz, 80s.... maybe i'll just stop.

food - yes please.

water, wind, music, friends, ideas, mayonnaise

self, relationships, sexuality, gender, identity, intentions, what's happening with my body, meaning, purpose, art, what goes on in people's minds, how to respond, possibilities, what's happening, what's next, what i'm learning, what i'm missing, what's beautiful, what's funny.

totally exhausted and looking forward to sleeping in on saturday (with enough time to catch the farmers' market). despite that, i might also be out and about or making it a relaxing night in. i usually make plans last minute.

"I couldn’t begin to even think about
knowing how to answer that question."

or i could tell you that i believed in santa until i was about 9. i don't breathe deeply enough most of the time but am working on it.

i don't understand why people lie so often when it's so easy to tell the truth.

i have more clothes than any one person needs and they are all from thrift stores.

and i spent a good portion of my life struggling to find people as intense as i am.

you want to hang out, you're getting the good vibe, like to meet new people, want to get out and try something new, want to try something famililar, are a good friend, like to have good friends, have something to say, want to message me, etc.

i don't like to IM with strangers. it's not personal. i prefer email and in person.

but i can't tell you what to do... at the end of the day, people do exactly what they want.