OkCupid is Free Online Dating.

I've been the grounded and responsible one for most of life, but there's definitely a certain restlessness lurking in me that yearns to just sell everything I own and take off on a grand adventure.

I'm probably a bit more self-sufficient and self-possessed than some guys would like, but too bad. I'm looking for someone to complement me, not complete me. I want to enjoy you, not be in your hip pocket 24/7.

My humor is wry, bordering on sarcastic, and I have a fine appreciation of the absurd. Hell, I revel in the absurd. And if you can't laugh at yourself, than forget it. That said, there's also a part of me that just enjoys being goofy. The kind of goofy that earns you rolled eyes and heavy sighs from your less spontaneously silly friends.

Although I do not suffer fools gladly and I sometimes find it difficult to let people get to know me, once you've been admitted to my "Collection o' Friends", you're in for good. There's no escaping. Deal with it.

I read. A lot. And I like to talk about what I've read. Thoughtful discussion is integral to any relationship, be it romantic or otherwise. It follows, then, that I also enjoy hearing about what you're reading. Is that hint too subtle?

I'm laid back, generally good-natured, and always eager to learn new things. I'm a geek at heart, and I love music, the theater, and museums, although my life of late has not exactly been chock-full of those pursuits. And yes, when I was an old teenager/young adult I had a comic book collection for which I will not apologize. I love to cook, and I make the best Philly soft pretzels you'll ever have the pleasure of sampling. They take forever, though, so you've got to earn them...

EDITORS

• Nyneve922

Not enough. Never enough. But, I am finally making myself happy. I'm losing weight, exercising, writing again, and simply taking each day as it comes. A friend of mine told me recently that he thinks that I'm looking for my drummer. That's apt, I think. I've always marched to my own beat--now I'm learning how to make that work for me in all aspects of my life. The older I get, the less it bothers me to be a misfit. It shouldn't bother you, either.

Public speaking.

Word Games--I test-solve puzzles for Penny Publications.

Cooking--I think I'd like to take up grilling. Stephen Raichlen is my personal hero--highly-educated yet truly versed in all things smoked and charred.

Singing--Okay, so I'm really good at this insofar as I do it constantly. I honestly believe that we should bring back the sing-a-long. Groups of friends should hang out around the piano on Saturday nights singing stuff. Taking different parts in musicals, each being a different Beatle--I need to give some thought as to how I can jump-start this phenomenon.

Organization--Isn't organizing crud FUN? C'mon, you know you want to. Unpack it. Move it around. Re-pack it in an entirely new way. . .

Writing--I'm more of an essayist than a novelist right now, but give me time.

Recognizing "that guy"--I remember faces and voices, and if I've seen or heard you once, I will likely remember you forever. Now if I could only parlay that talent into a vast fortune...

My winsome smile, my sparkling green eyes, and my sensual voice. And my ability to completely bullshit you. C'mon, you've seen my pictures--what did YOU notice first?

Authors: Christopher Moore, Barbara Hambly, Roger Zelazny, Jonathan Rabb, Paul Bryers, Connie Willis, Eric Flint, Bill Bryson, Abby Bardi, Richard Russo, Mark Dunn, Pete Hamill, Beverly Connor, Mark Haddon, Daniel Silva, C.J. Box, Neil Gaiman, Sam Harris, Kaye Gibbons, Greg Rucka--I did warn you that I read A LOT. I have about a trillion little notebooks in which I've jotted down hundreds-thousands, probably--of books that I want to read. I will never catch up. I will also admit here, in this public forum, that I have a shameful passion for "horror romance", or whatever the hell that genre is called. It's an unhealthy addiction, admittedly, but relatively harmless. It's not like it's crack. I could stop if I wanted to. Really... I will say, however, that I've been trying to read "Twilight" for about a month, and honestly? I fail to see what all the hoopla is about. Meh.

My favorite movies? The Magnificent Seven, Witness, Buckaroo Bonzai: Across the Eighth Dimension, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Babe, Lonesome Dove, Shrek, Inherit the Wind, The Lost Boys, Dirty Dancing, The Princess Bride, Much Ado About Nothing, The Great Escape, This is Spinal Tap, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

There are two television series that I could watch over and over in their entirety: Sports Night and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I also love House, Lost, Heroes, Chuck, The Amazing Race, Life, The Big Bang Theory, and How I Met Your Mother.

My musical tastes are somewhat schizophrenic, although I enjoy pretty much everything but hardcore rap and jazz. I particularly love The Beatles, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and all manner of folk music. Among the gobs of other artists/bands I like are: Evanescence, Johnny Flynn, Army of Me, all of the Wainwrights (parents, siblings, children, exes), Jay Brannan, Harry Chapin, Ben Lee, The Frames, Cake, Moby, Matchbox Twenty, Third Eye Blind, Acres, Amos Lee, Augustana, The Barenaked Ladies, Ben Jelen, Blue Rodeo, Chris Isaak, Damien Rice, The Fray, Garfield Mayor, The Guess Who, The High Kings, Hoobastank, The Hooters, Iron and Wine, Jason Mraz, Joe Purdy, Josh Groban (shut. up. now.), Kate Voegele, Renaissance, Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Iron, Red Hot Chili Peppers, S & G, They Might Be Giants, Weezer, Wild Sweet Orange, and The Bloodhound Gang. I'm always listening for new artists/music I'd enjoy, so if you have any suggestions, puhleeeze send 'em my way.

Food? Italian. Much seafood (although sushi intimidates me), Donut Peaches, Honey Crisp apples, and really fresh, really good bread (although I don't eat much of that anymore).

There isn't really much in my life that I couldn't do without, but six things that I'm particularly grateful for are:

The Public Library
My iPod
My Microplane Grater
My sense of whimsy/appreciation of all things strange and wonderful
Writing Implements/Paper
Yarn

I find myself contemplating the strangest, most off-kilter things sometimes, and it amuses me to try and trace my train of thought back to what I'd originally started thinking about. As long as I can wend my way back then I'm not yet senile. At least that's what I tell myself, delusional though that may be.

I think about work in an amount disproportionate to what I actually earn.

My belief that Religious Fundamentalism will bring about the downfall of us all. Tied into that is my fear that our government is going to "nanny" us all to death. As a whole, we're really NOT as stupid as "they" think we are. Are we?

I fret and worry a lot about my friends, and what I can do to make their lives better.

Prowling.

Playing half-assed Texas Hold 'Em with friends for money, or getting trounced at Trivial Pursuit by Chris and John because I don't know my British Prime Ministers, German Chancellors, or Righteous Gentiles. I really should study up. Simply hanging out with buds engaging in sometimes deep--but more often ridiculous--conversation.

I apologize to inanimate objects when I bump into them.

I DON'T HAVE CABLE.

I am a second-generation atheist.

I'm fat. Just so y'all understand, that means that I weigh more than I should. But, I joined W.W. on 6/3/08, and I'm working really hard at losing weight. And if I may say so, I'm doing a pretty fantastic job at it, too.

I like musicals. Favorites include J.C.S., Pippin, Big River, Rent, Into the Woods, The Secret Garden, Miss Saigon, and of course, Les Miserables.

I am afraid of anime. And quicksand.

I like tools. Drills, saws, wrenches--my friends actually give me tools for my birthday. I don't do anything particularly handy or exciting WITH said tools, but I like having them around. My mother says that I should have been a carpenter. Hmmm. It's not too late...

Kids and animals like me. Especially platypi. Go figure.

I want to learn how to play the banjo.

You share my acute sense of whimsy and have NEVER been bored.

You have some ideas about getting my sing-a-long craze off the ground. This can work, people.

You're interested in adding someone with my particular peculiarities to YOUR "Collection o' Friends". I added this bit because I've been contemplating just how hard it is to simply make good ol' platonic "hanging out with" friends online. I'm not necessarily spending time on this site looking for passionate romance (although hell, if I stumble upon it I won't run away). I just think it would be cool to meet someone whose ass I could kick at Scrabble, or who also enjoys writing haiku about horrible movies (my "Troy" collection is legen...dary).

You have a banjo and are willing to teach me how to strum it.

You're bold. Take some chances.