I was NOT born in a log cabin. Nor was I raised by wolves. Disappointed? Well, not everyone can have a compelling "origins" story, so cut me some slack, please...

What I am is the son of poor, uneducated Portuguese immigrants. But, their lack of education and economic resources didn't mean that things like integrity, honesty, generosity, and open-mindedness weren't treasured...because, in fact, they were. And I am almost wholly defined by their example. I'm also, in many ways, an exemplar of the American Dream--i.e., upward mobility by the next generation.

Although my background is blue collar and somewhat Dickensian, I had some phenomenal experiences growing up--which I've used as the touchstone for how to approach life, and then live it (there is marrow to be sucked, and I'm usually first in line to hoover it all out). I grew up in a rough and tumble, mid-sized city in Southeastern Massachusetts. One needed both brains and brawn to survive, because it was Darwinian. On the other hand, it was also a combination of Old World and New; I grew up speaking Portuguese with my family and friends, and my entire environment was almost like living in the grittiest neighborhood in Lisbon. I loved it, in many ways, and wouldn't trade it for anything. What didn't destroy me only made me that much stronger (cue sappy music to accompany cliched back story montage).

What really helped me get to where I am now were books, and an unshakable commitment to learning. They were my ticket to ride, and I got on the Express train outta Dodge. I am now--and have been for quite some time--at a very happy place in my life.

Further, I'm a city cat, and love living in DC (though, I just only recently relocated back down here after a 5-year+ stint in Boston--which is where I went after more than a decade in DC). Man, there's just so much to do and see here, and the trade-offs (noise, congestion, etc) are more than worth it to me.

I really could go on and on with this rather narcissistic bildungsroman, but what's the fun of that? We have to leave something for more in-depth conversation over a cuppa, or a bottle of nice wine, eh?

I do good on a global scale. No, really, I mean it. With the notable exception of a 2-year post-graduate Kerouace-sque interlude going "on the road" across America just to see what this country has to offer, I've spent my entire adult life doing international development work--both in the field, as a practitioner (long- and short-term), as well as back in The States, securing work and managing/overseeing it. My knee just can't stop jerking, what can I say? I've never, however, smelled of patchouli, worn Birkenstocks, or sported tie-dyed anything. A man's got limits, after all.

Some of the more notable projects that I've worked on include building schools and healthcare facilities in the earthquake-devastated regions of Pakistan, cleaning up Agent Orange contamination in Vietnam, providing access to safe drinking water in Lebanon, and rebuilding bridges and schools in tropical storm-devastated areas in El Salvador. And those are just a few, select examples--I've lived in 5 countries for a year+, and have worked in and traveled to over 75 others. One could say that I've lived my dream-and continue to do so. Hell, even two or three might say that, too.

On a non-career level (all work and no play makes this hombre a dull caballero), I try to maintain a balance of frenzied activity and quiet, restorative, quasi-downtime pursuits. Although I am--at my core--a classic introvert, my X-Man superpower may very well be my ability to come across as a high-energy extrovert. Some have called this ability "chameleon-like" in its nature. But, what do they know?

Is this the brag board portion of our program? Where I entice y'all with my wonderful qualities, and spin a web of entracing characteristics and abilities? I guess that I'll defer to my man Uriah Heep and take a 'unble tack here. Besides, wouldn't you rather find out--for yourself--what I'm really good at? Opinions vary, don't they, and who am I to be presumptuous?

Isn't this a sub-set of the previous question? If you must, O Mighty Okcupid Gods of Introspection, I'll throw you a few bones, as follows:

Humor/wit; and

The mightiness of my thews and washboardedness of my abs.

Pick one, and get all Walter Mitty with your fantasies...

See now, this is impossible. It really is. I refuse to choose favorites, as it's a quixotic quest, best undertaken by someone other than Sisyphus.

What I can and will say is that I live to read. I'm That Guy who always has a book with him, and craves reading time. It's only after three hours of deep immersion in a book that I'm truly in my Happy Place. To say that I like books/literature is to say that a fat kid likes doughnuts. It just...is.

Similarly, and running a very close second in an Ode to Joy kind of way, I love, love, LOVE films/cinema/movies. I have seen thousands and thousands of films in my lifetime, and that iceberg has more than just a tip in need of exploration. I have a vast repository of cinematic knowledge, and a deep and abiding interest in film. Try me.

As for shows...I was weaned on the massive mammaries of the boob tube; I can't remember, as a kid, when the TV was ever off in our house (my folks used it to learn English). I KILL on most pop culture trivia, with particular expertise in TV. However, as the years progressed, it became less and less central as a cultural avatar, and there have been large swaths of time when I didn't have a TV, or access to one. It's just one of those things that I neither crave, nor need, especially since (lest you think that I'm a couch potato) I have always been a very active/physically fit individual.

I won't talk about music and food here, as I'm growing weary of this game. Rest assured, however, that I dig most kinds of music and am inordinately fond of good food and wine. Again, let's give ourselves something to talk about...My book isn't fully open on this site. Enigmatic mysteries are meant to slowly unfold into epiphanic ecstasies (yeah, I do so love me words).

Other than the basic necessities of life, there isn't too much that I need. Im neither covetous, nor acquisitive. But, if you must--and only as a snapshot in time--here are a few of my favorite things:

Books, newspapers, and periodicals--I take all knowledge to be my province

Films--either at the theater (there's nothing that beats the excitement of an opening night crowd for an eagerly-anticipated film) or on BluRay (in HD there is perfection)

Passport--my gateway to the world, and some of the most amazing experiences of my life

What's the right thing to do in X situation?

Isn't that what Spike Lee and Jean Paul-Sartre share in common?

Man, I'm sui generis...there ain't nuthin' typical about Friday nights. Sometimes I plan, sometimes I'm a tumblin' tumbleweed. Don't fence me in.

I can't swim. Yeah, you read that correctly; and yes, there's a whale of a tale to tell ya that will provide crystalline clarity. Dude, even Achilles had that whole heel thing going on...

Oh, and as is readily apparent, I'm incapable of having a good photo taken, of me. The camera hates me. Damn you, camera.

Why would I even try to be prescriptive here, and narrow my audience/cadre of prospective new friends and/or lovers? I'm not going to lay out some kind of taxonomic hierarchy of needs. Maybe something I wrote piqued your interest. Perhaps you've got that old kindred spirit vibe. I dunno. If you feel me, let me know. If not, then que sera, sera.