I tend to have mild panic attacks in noisy, busy places, and I like nothing more than my own company to unwind from everyday life. I love to go exploring places, to wander a bit aimlessly, all by myself. I find most places beautiful in their own ways. Places which you wouldn't describe as obviously beautiful just take my breath away. I'm basically a classic introvert.

I am spontaneous about small things and very, very non-spontaneous about big things. Sometimes I can be accused of taking everything too seriously, but I'm told I have a good sense of humor too.

I just arrived home in Christchurch after spending a year away teaching English in Korea and travelling. I don't know exactly what's next, but further study is very tempting.

I'm involved with football/soccer

When I get a the right wind behind me, I can write fairly well.

I'm a fast reader.

I'm a loyal friend.

The first must definitely be my height. I'm tall enough to stand out in most crowds, but not quite tall enough to really have benefited dramatically.

At the same time, you'd notice my slightly skinny, awkward build. I'm not talking myself up, am I?

For fiction:

A special place in my heart goes to

"Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance," which really showed me the beauty and pleasure of the mundane and humble.

I love Harry Potter and Catch-22.

But I'm more into non-fiction

Richard Dawkin's "Unweaving the Rainbow" is a very strong influence
Phillip Ball's "Critical Mass" is an absolute favourite for beautiful explanations of a subject well outside my own area of study, and ditto for Simon Singh on "Fermat's Last Theorem." Jared Diamond's "Guns Germs and Steel" was a very stimulating read too.

For movies, I do enjoy most genres, although I do find myself drifting off a little when action scenes are extended too far an unbelievably. I don't watch a lot of movies, but some favorites are "Little Miss Sunshine," "Dr Strangelove," and "Whale Rider."

Music: I love the Finn Brothers, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Angus & Julia Stone, Tunng and Storonoway, among others.

I can't really answer this question without saying stupid trivial things like "Oxygen" or "Clothes."

I'm very introspective. That doesn't mean I'm self-obsessed, I just see things in the world as they relate to me and conversely, my place in the world. I'm interested in the patterns, and randomness, of everyday life, of the systems and the chaos, in the forms that many small things take when they combine together.

Having a quiet drink or just a night in, preparing for a busy Saturday

That I don't know much about the dating game, I'm not entirely sure what I want, that I really don't know what I need.

Firstly, you can identify with some of what you read.

AND

If you're not racist, homophobic, ultra-religious, dishonest, manipulative or quick to judge.