Hmmm... about me. Where should I begin...

I adore water.. something about the sound of the rain or a trickling brook or the ocean's rolling and lazy tide. I attribute that to the fact that I am a native Oregonian and everybody knows how much it rains here.

My strong political philosohy automatically rejects anyone of a conservative nature. I can tolerate Libertarians but I cannot tolerate republicans. I have actually walked out on someone in the middle of a date as their political affiliation unfolds.

I am vain enough to admit that looks matter, though they only go so far. I write poetry and read; a hopeless loyal to authors both classic and dead. I have a strong love for existentialism and philosophy in general despite the fact that I disagree with the philosophy of existentialism itself. Anything in art or literature thought provoking is of great interest. I also love architecture; specifically skyscrapers. Very knowledgable about urban issues/policy and I always enjoy discussion. I am a moderate democrat, but I vote liberally on most social issues. I am moderate because I adhere to a more conservative ideology in terms of government spending.

I am a fairly conservative person when it comes to sexuality. I'm not really "kinky" and I really don't care for sex very often. Unless I am in love. Thus, huge turn-offs like nude photos or any sort of salacious or implied behavior ends the conversation immediately. I'm not looking for a hook-up.

I'll try anything twice and I like meeting new people even if I can't remember them a few days later.

As I age I realize the importance of a loving, secure relationship. I am now at the point of my life where I am waiting to meet the "right" person... someone to construct my life with in a loving stable relationship. I tend to get along better with guys a little bit younger or a little bit older than me. I have actually never dated anyone my own age before. I am not concerned about profession or money. The majority of my relationships borderlined poverty and I think the less money I actually had, the happier I was.

I'm not expecting to find the love of my life ... I don't know where or how I will meet him, but I am ready and looking forward to it. I understand that most relationships in life come and go very quickly, and I'm okay with that. I'm not going to jump into something so fast without knowing that it is legitimate and solid, but I am prepared to meet someone to share my life with in the near future. Even though I'm only 24 I still feel as though my life partner should be approaching soon.

Additionally, I am a lonely individual with very few friends. The few friends I do have.. three of them.. would do absolutely anything for me. I am taken care of despite my shortcomings. I love them very dearly and I don't know what I would do without them. Unfortunately in my life people tend to fall in love with me quickly, and if they don't get what they want from me they turn it around into some form of pain.

Finally -- while I am not opposed to a handful of drugs, I am strongly against the use of heroin and crystal meth. Pot and pills, etc. and all that stuff is fine as long as it doesn't interfere with your life and it isn't a regular thing.

I am spontaneous, free-spirited, and addictive

I have been in Portland for about five months after spending three months in the San Joaquin Valley in a city of about 65,000 called Lodi, California. I've lived all over the nation. Seattle, Portland, Missoula, Salt Lake City and Denver. I am originally from Portland, OR but I am nomadic by nature, but I settle down once I am in a relationship. I am preparing a move within the next 1-2 months, by February 2007.

I am high profile and easily recognized. I used to bartend in my current city so I am viewed with somewhat of a cultish celebrity status. I am either loathed or adored. When I am out, I usually make my rounds and say hello, have a few drinks and leave or sometimes I will get absolutely bombed. I do not discrimate my friends or acquaintances on the base of their age, wealth or physical beauty. Some of my friends are older and you can imagine the dirty glances I receive.

I am also very focused toward anything that teaches me something. I am very passionate about both American and World history and the political system. I am a news junkie and it is the first and last thing I do every day. I have a strong love for Justices Kennedy, Breyer, John-Paul Stevens and Ruth Bader-Ginsburg.

I come off abrasive or indifferent; it's not personal. I am mildly bi-polar at times and I tend to medicate this with alcohol a lot. I drink every day. I am honest about my alcoholism and at this point in my life I am not willing to give it up.

My other fatal flaw is a 'black or white' mentality. I am impatient and prone to exit someone's life if I do not feel I am a part of them. People come and go very quickly in my life and I am used to it. It doesn't really bother me but I really only have perhaps three "true friends." I appreciate new faces, but I prefer familiar ones. I am codependent and affectionate with a strong will to love. I am also fairly jealous, however I am not obsessive about it.

Movies The Stepford Wives, Crash, The Hours, Rosario Tijeras, Personal Velocity, Romie and Michele's High School Reunion, The Point of No Return, Carrie, The Devil Wears Prada.... or anything with a good bitch for a main character. I love bitches.

Television CNN, Court TV, Food Network, Nancy Grace, Lockup, To Catch a Predator.. Cold Case Files.. City Confidential..but my favorite show is American Justice or The People's Court. I'm also a sucker for American Idol. Don't judge!

Books Camus, Capote, Christie, Kundera, Roald Dahl, Nabokov, Steinbeck, Stephen King. Lately I've been on a Stephen King trip. I also like books on architecture.

(Enter Cliches here)

Getting drunk and meeting prince charming.

You can go to my website... www.myspace.com/markryan1981. That is an extension of the information I have provided here. Lots more of my personality, including stuff you have probably already read, can be found there. And I check it and update it all the time.