For the first time in my life, I don't jump out of bed in the morning with a long list of things that must be done. I'm getting my little restaurant off the ground, and on my days off, I'm learning the pleasures of relaxing. That doesn't mean I don't still go strong. I like to ride my bike out in the sun. I like the beach. I like conversation from which I can learn. I am naturally happy at heart, as I have been since I took my first breath. I value friendship. I value community--believe in the importance of people helping each other, inspiring each other, turning to others for support. I like the summer and fear the winter. I am an active person. But I have a round belly. I like to build things with my hands. I like tools and learning to use them. I like learning new things, especially when they are taught to me by a person rather than a book or the interweb. But I like learning in general, and will do it whenever possible. I like an interesting book! I'm analytical. I problem solve. I try new things. I hate sand in the bed. I like swimming. I like talking things through with friends. I work hard. I used to play pretty hard, but these days I guess you could say I've changed my ways. I like dancing. People often refer to me as "grounded". I'm not emotionally reactive or irrational. I like being around people. I've always believed that watching a beautiful sunset or building a deck or climbing a mountain is more wonderful when shared with someone... I'm working on finding peace in solitude and silence, and I like what I am finding. I believe in personal growth. I like saying things simply.

Learning to have a life outside the restaurant. It's time to develop friendships again, or re-kindle neglected ones. Time for hobbies and home projects and swimming laps more than once a week. I'm excited.

Working hard.
Reading people.
Figuring stuff out.

Hmm. You tell me.
My smile?

Books:
Recently "Blink" by Malcom Gladwell. It was cool.
Generally: "The Bone People" by Keri Hulme, "Waterland" by Graham Swift, "Go Down Moses" by Falkner, "The Giving Tree" Shell Silverstein. That's a good selection of the favorites. These days I've been more into non-fiction for some reason.

Movies: (in absolutely no order)
Brick, The Yes Men, The Big Lebowski, American History X (but maybe this is just because it was the first movie I had seen in like two months after traveling).
Memento, Irriversible (but I don't suggest it). . . Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind, Amelie... God, I don't really watch movies that much, as I just can't find the time or don't want to dedicate the time to that. Don't watch TV at all. Don't have a TV in my home, never have, never will.

Music: Hmmm. I suck at this. I have enough friends who are audiofiles that I can get by. I like music I can sing along to. I guess I like music that is beautiful and maybe slightly sad. These days I'm listening to Bon Iver, Alive and Living, Andrew Bird, Band of Horses, Spoon, Sigur Ros, Radio Head... old favorites are Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Tom Waits, Joni Mitchel. . .

Food:
Hmmm. I'm vegetarian. Not fanatical. Just don't eat meat or chicken or fish cuz I was raised vegetarian and have stayed with it. I'm into simple foods, fresh vegetables, fruits, etc. When I cook, I cook simple things--steamed veggies, grains, salads, baked squash, nuts, seeds... When I go out, my favorite meal these days is breakfast. I like simple eggs, nice bread. I like salad with my breakfast. :)
I have a soft spot for ice cream.
These days I'm obsessed with blueberries.

My bike.
My freedom.
My mind.
The sunshine.
... I can only think of 4

Ways to improve things.

Working

I'll have to think about that

I like people. I like good people. I like people who are creative, grounded, curious, light hearted, excitable, open-minded. I don't really like lazy people. Laziness makes me feel sad. I like people who are sure of who they are. . . but not too sure. I don't like people who get off on making other people feel small. I like fun people. I like wild people. I like people who are not afraid to challenge me, or call me on my shit. I like honest people. I like weird people. I like patient people. I like beautiful people, but definitely don't think that beauty is what's most important. I think good friendships/relationships are those in which both people are different enough, interesting enough, and humble enough to teach each other and to learn from each other. I like people who are not afraid to be honest, not afraid to be weak, not afraid to be wrong