Well let's see. In the interest of preserving this record for future generations, I suppose I define myself primarily as an academic and secondarily as a decadent. I'm not a hedonist, but I do love indulging good food, good friends, good fun. I am an INFJ in the Meyers-Brigg sense if that means anything to you (although a lot of people are surprised I consider myself I and not E). I like to think of myself as very kind and other-directed but that's the kind of thing that needs to be proven and not stated. I love literature, good TV, neurotic people and pugs (the most neurotic of all dogs). Incidentally, the adorable Jim Henson Creature Shop monster in my profile picture is named Gargamel and is also (tragically) deceased.

I'm in the final paroxysms of a PhD program in English literature. I am ABD (or all but dissertation) meaning that I don't take classes anymore-- I just write my dissertation and occasionally teach classes to undergrads. I study Victorian Gothic literature and write about the Gothic valence of Victorian childhood and adolescence. This has earned me the dubious appellation "creepy children guy" in some Victorianist circles. To clarify, I am not a creepy guy who thinks about children, I am a guy who thinks about creepy children. Ever seen "The Others" or read "Turn of the Screw?" Those kinds of narratives are my stock in trade. Once I actually get my doctorate I am going to become a college professor (jobs and luck willing) in 19th century literature. Barring that I am going to become a spectacular failure. The kind of failure who people respect for how profoundly they failed.

Analyzing literature, world building (I write trashy fantasy novels in my free time), devoting myself utterly to emotionally distant people and throwing costume parties. I'm also a halfway decent cook (though thoroughly amateur in my training) and especially talented at living in a hipster-y neighborhood, having hipster friends, being into hipster things and somehow still being convinced that I hate hipsters.

Physically? I'm a larger guy. I try to eat healthy and incorporate exercise into my life and I am steadily losing weight but there you have it. I guess secondarily, people notice the rather dashing facial hair. I oscillate between having a neatly trimmed Van Dyke and a slightly more pretentious goatee. I look 15 when I don't have facial hair so it's a little more non-negotiable than it might be with other people.

In terms of my carriage and demeanor? I'm gregarious though perhaps tinged with a patina of the awkward. In situations where I feel comfortable, I am often described as "the life of the party" but, man oh man, if I hate being somewhere I quickly turn into that disgruntled-looking wallflower nursing his non-alcoholic drink.

Books: The greatest novel of the 19th (or really any) century is Bleak House. I also love the Brontes (not Ann), Walpole, Thackery, Radcliffe, Fitzgerald, Stoker, Stoppard, Barrie, George Eliot, Lovecraft and Hawthorne. In terms of less highfalutin' auteurs, I love George RR Martin, China Mieville, Michael Chabon, Gregory Keyes, Jaqueline Carey and a host of others.

Movies: Among my favorite films are probably Cohen Brothers movies (esp. The Big Lebowski, The Hudsucker Proxy, and the much maligned Ladykillers), After Hours, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Labyrinth, LA Confidential, Bladerunner, Mullholland Drive, Chinatown, The Pillow Book, Moulin Rouge!, Juliet of the Spirits, Tangled, Nosferatu, Wings and many others. I am a sucker for ghost stories, even shitty ones. I loved Woman in Black!

TV: Parks and Rec, Community, The Office (a few seasons ago at least), Game of Thrones, Carnivale, Lost, Rome, American Dad, Bob's Burgers, Gossip Girl, Weeds, Dexter, Homeland, 30 Rock, Grimm (for some weird reason), American Horror Story, Glee (still... even though it is just unraveling piece by piece), The Venture Brothers. I'm a bit of a TV addict.

Music: Leonard Cohen, Florence + The Machine, They Might Be Giants, Lesley Gore, Dramarama, Emilie Simon, Nouvelle Vague, Bonnie Tyler, David Bowie, all kinds of Doo Wop and Showtunes and Plinky Harpsichord Shit.

Food: I am a foodie. I am open to really anything and everything but same favorites include Tagliatelle Bolognese, Kitfo, Japchae with Bulgogi, Barbecued Salmon, a good bagel with lox flavored cream cheese.

In no particular order
1. Good books
2. A worthy woman to fawn over
3. Good food
4. Stories
5. Museums
6. Nights of Reckless Abandon

Victorian Gothic Literature, ways to fit more things onto my dwindling wallspace, Song of Ice and Fire Fan speculation, how much i normally hate fan speculation.

At home, working on the dissertation probably. Save me from this!

I have an unhealthy attachment to pugs. I think it's because they seem so defenseless and ill-made.

Please do! Whether or not we click, I am always up for new friends and good stories.