Mini Bio: Former Realtor turned IT guy who aspires to being paid for the voices in his head (i.e. being a writer).

I'm a native Austinite. I got a letter from the EPA letting me know I am an endangered species, but it would be 2016 before they got around to tagging my ear.

I work out regularly, mostly lifting, yoga, and hiking. I'm not out to win any competitions, but I like feeling good. I checked myself out in the mirror the other way and as mildly impressed before I felt silly.

I drink for the taste, very rarely to get drunk. I have a cigar every once in a while (couple times a year), but abhor the smell of cigarettes.

My real vice is books. I ended up with extra bookshelves when I closed my real estate office and it irks me to have empty space. It won't last long.

I text with proper grammar.

I did a lot of outdoors stuff when I was younger, including backpacking, canoeing in Canada, and rock-climbing. Nowadays my social circle just isn't conducive to that stuff, but if you are into it I would like to reintegrate that into my life.

I work in IT at a webhosting company. When I'm not doing that, I'm studying to advance my skills and writing.

I recently realized I wasn't satisfied with working for money, and needed something I actually cared about. Of course, I also kinda like money, and like things like eating and having a roof over my head. I feel simultaneously irritated and relieved I had this epiphany before I hit 30.

I have found I really enjoy cooking. I decide to learn something, and cook it until I get it right. My latest endeavor was chili, and everyone loved it, which I guess earns me more Texan points. I rarely have interest in making something after I master it.

Current project: Irish Whiskey steaks.

Brewing humor so dark polite company will demand cream and sugar.

Not taking myself or the little things in life too seriously.

Having deep conversations about books, movies, and stuff that really doesn't matter.

Engaging in witty banter and silly debates.

Taking things apart and understanding them.

Exploiting obscure rules in board games.

Helping out at 3am when shit goes to hell.

Remembering what you like and surprising you with it later.

Throwing surprise parties (I have a perfect record).

Since I am not a mind reader, I asked people in my life this question.

"You lost a lot of weight." -- The waitress at my favorite Chinese joint who insists my good health is due to egg rolls.

"You don't tolerate drama, and you have a big heart." -- My sister. I don't know if people notice these things first, but I will take the shameless plug.

"Your wit, your piercing eyes, your intelligence" -- My best friend since 8th grade. He is surely biased.

"Your poofy, fluffy hair." -- Female friend.

"I remember that I liked your hair." -- Female friend who apparently shares some kind of psychic link with another woman she has never met.

"Personally, that you have no tolerance for soft terminology." -- A fellow grammar Nazi.

"You have a presence that is hard to ignore. People notice you. I always liked your hair." -- My ex.

"Your amazing cookie-giving skills?" This the down-side of promising cookies in exchange for opinions.

"Just so you know, I am only doing this for the cookie. Three words: confidence, intelligence, humor." -- Female friend with a particularly mercenary attitude where baked goods are involved.

Conclusions: Women notice my hair. Also, offering cookies on Facebook to people who answered this question might have skewed the sample in a quite unscientific fashion.

Books: Stranger in a Strange Land, Game of Thrones, Dresden Files, Dr. Seuss Poe, American Gods. Note, this is a sample. I insist on owning physical copies of books. Some guys have big trucks with lights and trailer hitches. I have book shelves.

Movies: Love, Actually, Pulp Fiction, The Usual Suspects, The Godfather, Princess Bride, Coen Brothers films, Despicable Me.

Shows: I am a child of the internet, so I don't watch much TV. I do enjoy Mad Men, The Daily Show, Colbert Report, and sometimes the Simpsons. If I do find a show I like, I will probably devour it.

Music: Metallica, SRV, Mozart, Queen, Aerosmith, Johnny Cash (for a sample).

Food: Yes, all of it. I particularly enjoy good cheese, meat, and beer. I enjoy cooking and exploring new foods. I'm a food lover, not a food snob.

1. Conversation
2. Books
3. Friends
4. Dark Humor
5. Challenges
6. Cheese

Why people sometimes insist on being ignorant.

Politics, current events (the real ones, not the scandal of the week), societal ills, video games, books, how to make deliriously decadent food. Example: If I freeze peanut butter, and melt chocolate, what can I put between them that will be perfect?

Edit: I have an answer to this now. I desire subjects for taste testing.

How this customer managed to bork their VPS this badly? (at work).

Some combination of:
Hanging out with friends
Gaming
Writing
Reading
Seeing a movie
Wreaking havoc (Every once in a while, I get way too silly for my own good).

I'm a pretty big nerd. Games of the board, table-top, and video variety are a major source of entertainment.

I have read Game of Thrones, but have not seen a single episode of the series.

You want to?

More seriously:
You want to talk, maybe meet up and see where things go.
You find nerds/geeks sexy.
You have your shit together.
You enjoy intellectual conversation.
You appreciate a guy who will open the door for you.

Bonus Points:
Having read Time Enough for Love; knowing what a d20 is.