"To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable" - Oscar Wilde (The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891)

Right, so I'm that guy at the back of the coffee shop surrounded by books on politics and philosophy. I am an academic. I am a wee bit of a geek. But really, I love what i do and I'm just fine with it. I work hard. On the other hand, I think I'm also pretty focused when it comes to having fun. I do like to go out 'properly': i.e., dinner, yummy drinks (can I hear a 'Curio'?), proper HOUSE MUSIC, followed by sore head in the morning.

I do spend a lot of time at coffee shops. Mostly because I enjoy that kind of scene. Also because my office has no windows (this is a big problem for me. I don't know how anyone could seriously expect me to write brilliant papers and lectures without a window in my office).

I'm from Ireland, originally. Born and raised - still a citizen, actually. Moved to the USA in 2000. Then I spent 6 years workin' on my PhD. Finally I got that sorted. And now by some miracle I have a job and I am here in Ohio! My greatest joy as a teacher to date was the day I was told by one of my students that I was too liberal for America and that, if I didn't like it here, I should just go back to where I came from and hang out with the leprechauns... I was like, WHAT?! Dude, actual leprechauns are like REALLY right-wing!! They don't believe in wealth redistribution. Thats their whole point. Duh!

I did campaign for Obama tho. Both times. But maybe with a heavier heart the second time. But better him than Romney.

My accent has changed a lot over the last few years. Tons of Americans ask me if I am Canadian. Ewww.... But I am still very much Irish. And because I am Irish, I of course love a good night out and some great big dirty pints of Guinness! (Well, stereotypes are never 'entirely' groundless, right?).

Random self-impressions: enjoy the company of dynamic and witty people, I love my research (mostly in international relations); I love kids and get along well with them because, basically, I am a big child; I love a good dinner debate; I like sci fi; I get homesick for Ireland sometimes; I live for live music - rock, funk, jazz, alternative - it doesn't matter, so long as its good. I'm also told, by people who seem to know a lot about these things, that I am somewhat charming and "a really sweet guy".... ahem!

I'm fairly new to the area and looking to make friends as well as dating.

Here's my favorite movie quote: "There are two things I know to be true. There's no difference between good flan and bad flan, and there is no war."

I do a lot of research on political theory and international relations and do some teaching at a local 3rd-level institution. Also doing a bit of yoga, some jogging, and .. most recently, experimenting with alternative diets to see if I can kick my acid reflux

I'm pretty good at dinner conversation, writing, public speaking, singing at karaoke, cooking, any kind of social networking, yoga, swimming... did I mention karaoke?

Hrmmm... my height, my accent, my impeccable sartorial style...

Books: I like Neal Stephenson, China Mieville, Orson Scott Card, Kurt Vonnegut, Graham Greene, and Ernest Hemingway. Keep trying to read Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow but seems I don't quite have the patience. I need to lock myself away and finish the darned thing. Apart from that, just read a bio of Karl Marx - was great. Try to keep up with the New York Review of Books when I can.

TV/Movies: - my favorite movie is Blade Runner. On TV, I simply LOVE Mad Men, Battlestar Galactica, oh... True Blood (so much fun!) and The Big Lebowski (over and over!). I love the new HBO series Treme, Lost, The Wire, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, Arrested Development.

Music: Just a random sample of stuff I like -> Matthew Dear; Bat For Lashes; Elvis Costello. Anything dubby or dub-step oriented (esp. the German minimalist stuff); Glasser (ever listen to her track "Home"? ~ its amazing); Animal Collective; David Sylvian; M.I.A., Deerhoof; Tim Hecker; Burial; Sonic Youth; Best Coast; PJ Harvey; Wild Beasts; The XX; Gil Scott-Heron; Laurie Anderson; Madlib; Prince; Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, William Basinski; Neu!; Joan as Police Woman; Aphex Twin, Joanna Newsom.

Food: sushi, curry (love that!), and I'm a devotee of Mark Bittman's 'Food Matters' cookbook series. I was a vegan for about 3 years - had to give it up recently tho, sadly, as it seems carbs and I do not get along. So, my need for protein has lead me back to meat! :-/

Cities & Travel: Dublin (the Irish one - its my home, and its a wonderful place to be), Paris, I have recently enjoyed time in Bolivia. And I take every opportunity I can to go to New York...

Painters: Monet, Manet, Turner, Ingres, Delacroix.

Philosophy: Foucault, Marx.

My family, my home (Ireland), curry, my books, my iPhone, yoga

The writings of Michel Foucault; how to move my career along; how I need to calm down a little; how best to prepare my lectures... and sometimes feeling a little sentimental for my folks back at home.

Out and about, having a few drinks, eating some tasty food, dancing, karoke, you name it!

I secretly think I am absolutely useless at my job and that some day somebody is going to find me out! Hasn't happened yet tho... which is good, as I need the money. And I happen to like my job!

you enjoy interstellar exploration and you are handy with a blaster.