My name is Brian. I finished up college a few years ago. I studied journalism and political science. Now i'm out in the 'real world' trying to make some money for myself. With the economy how it is right now, I'm not in my ideal job right now. But I do my best to enjoy it. I actually get along with the people I work with and I think there's good opportunities for me to progress. The one downside is: retail hours. Blah.

My first passion would have to be travel. I think it stems from being a Navy brat and moving every three years as a kid. I've been to 20+ countries and there's still so many more to see! I'm interested in all sorts of travel: I like museums, nice restaurants, and theater as well as hiking, surfing and wildlife. One kind of vacation I don't like, sorry, is just going to a beach and sitting around. What was one of your favorite vacations and what are some places you'd like to see next?

Two years ago I started running and I haven't looked back. I just did my first half-marathon in September (Harrisburg) and I'm signed up to do one in October now too (Gettysburg). It'd be great to go on runs and races with someone else. Are you a runner at all? What do you think the biggest challenge of running is?

I didn't really think about this until recently, but I like to drive. Like on a nice day, roll the windows down and just go for a drive. Find a nice stretch of winding road and some nice scenery. True, my driving would be politely described as 'spirited' - meaning I maybe surpass the speed limit from time to time, take turns too fast and brake too late. But don't worry, I drive a Volvo (which I really enjoy actually) so I can't get too crazy.

I love ketchup, horseradish and yogurt. Not all together, though - that would be gross.

I'm allergic to peanuts, hearing impaired and I don't care for chocolate. I have a feeling that most people would say the last thing is the biggest thing wrong with me.

I'm also a pretty huge news junkie. I love knowing what's going on in the world. But what I really like are all the small, bizarre stories that you see in the news.

I'll be honest, right now I'm not sure. I suppose I have several 'paths' I could choose, each with its own pros and cons. Sigh...

Hopefully some combination of the following at some point:
- learning to surf in Hawaii
- climbing to the base camp of Everest
- buying or renting a Land Cruiser and overlanding around Africa
- through hiking the Appalachian Trail

Making good time while driving. I'm a good listener - a lot of my friends come to me for advice or just to unload their problems.

I've been told that it's my smile...

My favorite authors are Victor Hugo (Les Miserables, Notre Dame de Paris, Toilers of the Sea) and Jon Krakauer (Where Men Win Glory, Into Thin Air, Into the Wild). It takes me a little to get into a book, but once I'm into it, it's hard for me to put one down.
Books I've read in 2012:
- "The Rape of Europa: The Fate of Europe's Treasures in the Third Reich and the Second World War" by Lynn H. Nicholas
- "The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America" by Erik Larson
- "The Dirty Life: On Farming, Food, and Love" by Kristin Kimball
- "Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile" by Bill Willingham
- "A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail" by Bill Bryson
- "Around the World in Eighty Days" by Jules Verne
- "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
- "The Complete Persepolis" by Marjane Satrapi
- "Eiger Dreams: Ventures Among Men and Mountains" by Jon Krakauer
- "Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef" by Gabrielle Hamilton
- "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri
- "The Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux
- "Unfamiliar Fishes" by Sarah Vowell
- "Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil" by Tom Mueller
- "Slaughterhouse-Five" by Kurt Vonnegut
- "The Gardens of Democracy: A New American Story of Citizenship, the Economy, and the Role of Government" by Eric Liu
- "The Green Shore" by Natalie Bakopoulos
- "The Age of Miracles" by Karen Thompson Walker

Oh, and Calvin & Hobbes - probably one of my most favorite things ever.

Movies... There are way too many favorites to list here. I watch at least a couple a week. I like movies that make you feel something, whether that's sadness, happiness or humor. But then again, I do go for something mindless every now and then.

TV: I watch (just listing as they come to me) Top Gear, Community, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Archer, Frontline, Nova...
I really don't watch nearly as much TV as I used to.

Shows that used to be on the air: Coupling (except the last season), The Tudors, Seinfeld!!, Third Rock From he Sun, Spaced, Flight of the Conchords, Father Ted, Friday Night Lights.

Music: I like what I think sounds good, but I really don't follow bands and all that. I don't know much about music, lame, I know.

My family (though, it makes me feel all overly sentimental to say it, but it's true), friends, the internet, yogurt (big time yums!), a place to dream of going next time I have the money/vacation time and a good conversation.

Random things. Sometimes I try to steer my thoughts, but a lot of the time it's just best to let them wander where they like. The problem is that I have a bad memory and often times forget some good ideas that come to me.

I know all of the words to "The Lion King" and I'm not afraid to quote them out loud. :-p

Honestly, just message me. I like meeting new people and learning about them. I think that's a much better way of getting to know someone than reading a profile that they came up with on a cloudy day.