"Surprise, shock, attack, understate, or overstate, but whatever you do, avoid the twin cardinal sins of being either boring or predictable."

This is who I am: intelligent, funny, eccentric (or "weird" for you common folks), musical. Music is my # 1 thing in life. It's been there since I came out of the womb and it's part of what I do for a career. Like with any other human being, I do have my share of strong suits and flaws. At times, I'm not the easiest person to deal with but I do have my side of compassion, inner beauty, humour and gentleness. I'm a complex beast at best, as you'll find out. It's what makes me who I am.

Pretentious or arrogant? Of course, I can be. I think we all have a dash of that sort of thing. There's always room for pretentiousness. That's why God (or whatever he/it is) invented Prog-Rock Music and David Bowie.

All joking aside, I'd like to think I'm a person worth knowing. Or at least cool enough to know. I just hope that the person is the same in return. It's very hard to find people who are just what they are in real life as they are on this wonder known as okstupid. Or perhaps okinsipid? Maybe I made up the okinsipid part but cheers anyway!

The deal: For the time being, I'm not really too keen in dating or a relationship. I feel that life is just too short for me to invest too much time, energy, emotion, and money (not that I make a fortune with what I do to begin with) to invest into something that'll end before it even really begins. So, for now, I'm interested in getting to know people and, hopefully, form some great friendships. If there is some sort of romantic interest along the way, I wouldn't be opposed.

If it's not too obvious, I'm a musician and have been at it for 23 years (started when I was 7)! It never ceases to amaze me when people ask me "What's your real job?" or "Do you do anything else besides play music?" Yes, it's my real job and no I don't have another gig to go with it. I teach music lessons on a daily basis (something I've been doing for nearly 10 years) and I play guitar and sing in a local band that is making a name for itself on the circuit. In addition to rock guitar; I dabble in jazz, blues, rockabilly, psychobilly, classical and some country.

I consider myself blessed in what I've managed to accomplish in my life with music. It's taken me all over the U.S. and the whole of the UK on numerous occasions. All great experiences. I'm also glad to say that I'm very happy with the band I have now and the steps we are taking to get to next level. From being a bar band to a band that can write great music that is memorable!

Do I want to be a rock star? No. The way that it is today from the increase in drug use, stds and whatever else that used to be glorified excess; that's not for me. Also, the thought of having TMZ and the likes on my door steps to see me take the rubbish out to the curb would not be my idea of a good time.

Do I want to be recognise for what I do? Yes. I do believe that if you work at it hard enough and do whatever it take to stick out like a sore thumb, it all pays off in the end. Leaving your audience happy and wanting more ensures that one has done his/her job.

Performing music (as discussed in the previous paragraphs). Sarcasm. Discussing music. Writing. Cooking. Bowling. Teaching others. Listening to others. Having patience. Led Zeppelin drinking games.

My onstage musical persona. My "accent," a lot of people assume it's British. While I may play along with it sometimes; I promise you, it's not. My ever-monthly-changing hairstyle. My eyes and their long, curly lashes that goes with them. Girls seems to be jealous of boys with pretty eyelashes. My hands, particularly my fingers.

Music: If you want to get an idea of what goes on in my twisted head, just read down the list or listen to my mixes: http://www.8tracks.com/MarkAlan

Radiohead, Yes, The Buggles Marc Bolan & T.Rex, The Monkees, Michael Nesmith, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Gary Numan, Tubeway Army, The Smiths, Morrissey, Bauhaus, Peter Murphy, Siouxsie and the Banshess, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Fleet Foxes, Duran Duran, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Dylan, The Beach Boys, Coldplay, Chemical Brothers, Queen, Traffic, King Crimson, Genesis, The Doors, Frank Zappa, Foo Fighters, NIN, Jane's Addiction, thenewno2, Syd Barrett, Blur, The Sweet, Steely Dan, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane, Santana, The Ramones, Rush, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Psychedelic Furs, The Orb, Joy Division, New Order, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, The Jacksons, James Brown, P-Funk, Massive Attack, Lenny Kravitz, Sigur Ros, The Mars Volta, R.E.M., Ben Folds Five, Adam Ant, New York Doll, Iggy Pop, The Stooges, Sex Pistols, Roxy Music. There are plenty more, but it would take a lifetime to list everyone!

Movies: Rocky Horror Picture Show, Shock Treatment, Phantom of Paradise, Pink Flamingo, Cry Baby, Hairspray, 24 Hour Party People, Control, HEAD, A Hard Day's Night, Help!, Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, Let It Be, Ghost World, A Clockwork Orange, The Truth About Cats and Dogs, Reality Bites, The Kids Are Alright, Empire Records, High Fidelity, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World Star Wars, There's Something About Mary, So I Married an Axe Murderer, Coffee and Cigarettes, Quadrophenia, Monty Python's Life of Brian, Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, Psycho Beach Party, The Wedding Singer, Reign O'er Me, The Driving Lesson, The Filth and the Fury, Billy Elliot, The Witches, Dark Crystal, The Labyrinth. Again, like with the music, it would take just as much as a life time to get it sorted out.

TV Shows: That Metal Show, Classic Albums, Community, House, The Soup, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Law and Order: SVU, Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmare, Graham Norton, Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes

Books: Siddhartha, Slaughter House 5, On the Road, Desolation Angels, High Fidelity, About a Boy, Zen and the Art of Happiness, Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs, Bob Dylan Chronicles The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Bowie In Berlin

Food:Chicken Tikka Masala, Curry, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Pizza, Shepherd's Pie, Cottage Pie, Fisherman's Pie, Spaghetti, Quesadilla, Red Velvet Cake, Banana Bread. Quiche

In no particular order: 1. Guitar 2. Music: ipod, record player, cd player, itunes, cassette player 3. car 4. sense of humour 5. friends 6. family

The present: How to enjoy life in it and not dwell on the past or worry about the future.

Usually, playing a gig with my band. To sugar coat it: Pretending to be a rock star on stage at a club.

Wouldn't it defeat the purpose of it being "private" if you willfully admit it on here?

you're a real, honest and no bullshit person. Open mindedness is always accepted in my world. Great musical taste is plus, regardless of how old the artist is. If you can accept, appreciate and like people for their individuality and not their need to follow others' likings. Oh and if you're weird and like others that are weird. :-P