I have a sharp, dry wit, but bake a ridiculously soft, moist blueberry cake. I like vinyl on the turntable, but I excel at Excel (and use that power for good, not for evil.) I am mostly vegetarian, but will go out of my way for some soft shell crab pizza. I’m a former bassist and DJ, who likes to shake my booty and get silly to bhangra or reggaeton, but I also love poring over a history book and stopping to look up the etymology of words. I’m active and ambitious, but value spontaneous hanging out with friends and downtime in my cozy home.

My work history runs the gamut from diner waitress to DC public school teacher, but I’m passionate about my current career in public health. I’m part of an elite cell whose analysis informs deployment of federal emergency response resources. In layman’s terms, I may be all that stands between you and that epidemic or hurricane, so you better treat me right!

I grew up locally, and know all the special sweetness DC has to offer. In summer I can show you where the hometowners go for picnics and free music or where to get your quick salt water fix without hauling all the way to the coast. In winter I know where to find cheap mussels that come with garlicky broth and crusty Belgian fries, and the coziest spot to sip a drink in front of a fire. I’ve also traveled all over and lived in Norway, England, Denmark, and Germany. I can sorta speak four languages, always better with beer. I’m currently working on adding Spanish to the list, not only so I can visit Latin America, but because I can use it right when I walk out my front door. (Not so much the case with Danish.)

I like being physically active as well as mentally engaged. I’m known to get my legs in motion on the soccer field, running through Rock Creek Park, or cruising around town on my bike. I’d love to try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. But I’m also a pro at relaxing—my bike rides often end with naps in the park, and my travel itinerary inevitably includes a sauna, of which I’m a connoisseur. I’ve been to a centuries-old hamman in Istanbul, Bauhaus-built Finnish baths in Berlin, and the down-and-dirty Russian sauna in Brighton Beach, where drinking beer between sittings is highly encouraged. Closer to home I generally warm up at the Korean baths in Northern Virginia, but I’m willing to go to the ones in ancient Rome if anyone wants to take me.

I’d like to find someone who, like me, takes pleasure in the details, loves history, music and books and the ways they dovetail, is perceptive of architecture and design, appreciates healthy communication but isn’t interested in arguing over minutiae, is aware of himself and the world but is not oversensitive, and has always wanted to ride a bike on the C and O Canal all the way to Pittsburgh.

Play your cards right and you’ll get the best mix tape ever delivered right through your mail slot. Not to mention homemade saffron and toasted coconut ice cream. (Sorry, not so good through the mail slot.)

I’m a voracious learner and I try to live in a way such that every day will bring new experiences (Less in the sense of climbing every mountain than in truly seeing what’s in front of me.)

Throwing a dinner party. I cook with my whole being and it’s how I express my caring, gratitude and sensuality.

My eyes, my wit, my energy.

Currently reading a collection of short stories by Irvine Welsh (think: Trainspotting) called Reheated Cabbage. It's typical Welshian fare: Scotland, drugs, lots of poor behavior and hilariousness.

Last movie that made me sigh (good sigh, not bad sigh) was 500 Hundred Days of Summer because I will never not adore a lead who is a Smiths fanatic. Nuff said.

As for music, I keep finding myself going back to the newest project by Belle and Sebastian lead singer Stuart Murdoch. What's not to like about an indie rock musical? That's right, nothing!

My sweet little niece. Black tea and milk to go in it. Salad made with arugula, pine nuts, and tomatoes from my garden. My soft down comforter. My smart funny friends. La musica. Rainbows and bunnies.

why things work the way they do. I'm especially interested in knowing why I work the way I do. And when I meet you, I'll be really interested in learning about the way you do what you do.

Embracing a slow transition into the weekend, sometimes by staying home with a bottle of wine and a game of Scrabble.

Though mostly eco (I embrace the rechargeable battery!) I find the idea of life without incandescent bulbs tragic and am hoarding 75-watt multipacks.

You exhibit charisma, chutzpah, cleverness and caring.
You are opposed to the overuse of ellipses.
You find poetry in Warsaw Pact prefabs and old tram cars.
You've ever seen The Smiths, Keren Ann, or Spoonboy live.
You've seriously contemplated adding a German cherry pitter to your
kitchen tool kit.
You read history books and look forward to sharing what you've learned from them with another humanoid.
You're more Montreal than Toronto.
You’re Jewish.
You’re no dum-dum.
You’re hot for Dr. Cuddy on the t.v. show House.
You need to practice your Spanish too.