I (Dorian) am an anti-oppression activist in my own (very small) way. I'm also big into theatre and music, and creative stuff generally. I read voraciously and love a good conversation/debate.

I...really don't know what I can say about myself [cliche +1! Woo!]. My politics are really important to me. I feel very strongly about social-justice issues. I'm opposed to ableism, racism, ageism, sizism, homophobia/heterosexism, transphobia/cissexism, and pretty much anything else that tries to dehumanize people.

Despite how strong my statements there come across, I'm actually a fun person to be around! I swear! I try not to be too strident, even as I do try to make people aware of when they're using harmful language. I do argue with people, but I try to be respectful while I do it.

I'm a big dork. I read a ton, and always have. I've been known to indulge in video games reasonably frequently, though I'm strictly a dabbler. I know way too many trivial things about musical theatre. When I get interested in a subject, I tend to dive in with both feet, as it were.

I'm affectionate and I'd like to think I'm pretty empathetic, though I had to work at that. I don't like it when people are upset, and I try to cheer them up. This has caused trouble for me in the past, but I've since learned that sometimes it's OK to put your own feelings first, which means I'm not nearly the mess I was a few years ago.

That being said, I can be remarkably oblivious to pretty basic social stuff at times, which has led to its share of problems. Generally I appreciate being called out when that happens, because I realize the problem is on my end. So...call me out on that.

Studying! I'm a theatre student, hoping to eventually become a director or stage manager or wev. Still first-year, sadly...

Also, volunteering. Like, a TON. I like to volunteer with various queer/feminist groups. Currently I'm involved in two such groups at the U of Guelph (GQE and GRCGED, for Guelphians), which means I'm...busy. Happy, but busy.

Basically, I'm just living my life. I'm very "now"-focused--I don't particularly like to dwell on the past or waste too much time thinking about hypothetical eventualities. I mean, I do consider the future, but once I've settled on a path, I don't keep coming back to double-check it. I find that counterproductive and Not much Fun.

I'd like to think I'm good at music. I sing and I used to play harp (I miss it, actually). Also, I hope I'm a clear thinker.

I'm also good at remembering TRULY USELESS information. Not-so-good at remembering stuff that actually *matters*, though.

Gosh, I don't even know. My personality is at times a bit outsize? So it's probably that, embarrassingly enough. I have a tendency to sing while I walk, so that's also...pretty noticeable, really. To put it mildly.

I don't even know! I really don't. I like theatre music a whole lot. Also, folky/Celtic stuff (I do play harp, remember). What I don't like, though, is that pseudo-Celtic new-agey stuff, with the whale sounds and what-have-you. I prefer music that, while grounded in tradition, actually is interesting from a compositional/arrangement standpoint.
Lately I've actually been into, uh, Lady Gaga. But this is mostly because I find her whole performance-art schtick fascinating. I feel like she deconstructs gender & sexuality in a really interesting way. Other musicians/groups I'm fond of include Dar Williams, Rasputina, and Joanna Newsom, all of whom are wonderful (though in tremendously different ways).

As far as books, I'll read almost anything. Fiction, non-fiction, in almost any genre. Lately I've been working on the gender studies stuff. Other recent Big Hits have been Margaret Atwood, Jasper Fforde, and Carolyn Heilbrun (that last is utterly nonfiction, by the way). I read a ton of blogs too, the bulk of which work at things from within an anti-oppression framework. Most of them post pretty thought-provoking articles on a very regular basis.

1) Music. Which usually means my iPod and my sheet music. Both performing and listening to other people's music are hugely important to me.

2) Relationships with other people. Not just because I like other people a lot (or at least, the ones I choose to get to know)--if I'm alone too much, I tend to disappear inside my own head a bit, which is a really bad thing.

3) The internet. I've met a lot of great people through it, and been exposed to some viewpoints I never would have encountered in my day-to-day life.

4) Good food. I'm no chef, nor even really a connoisseur. But I enjoy food immensely, and it's important to me that I am exposed to new and amazing dishes.

5) Books. Fiction, non-fiction, anything. They're a fantastic way of learning how someone else sees the world.

6) Strong foci. Okay, this is a weird one. I have occasional problems with dissociation, and if I don't have something to focus on--a conversation, an activity, even something as simple as a strong flavour--it's really not cool. It's such a small thing, but essential to living in a non-disrupted way. (I've started carrying very minty gum, even though I don't like it much, for just this reason)

um, stuff? I can't really get much more specific. It veers pretty wildly between stuff I see on any of the 82730 blogs I read, theatrical stuff, and other, more esoteric thoughts.

I spend a lot of time thinking kind of reflexively--about my mind, and the way it works. I find it an interesting topic, though it's always nice to get off of that and onto other, more interactive types of thoughts.

At home. On the computer. Because I'm clearly a loser. Or not really. I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with spending a lot of time online--but I do rather wish my life was slightly busier outside of the internet as well.

At least as far as leisure activity. I don't really need more business in the form of, say, homework.

Well, I already admitted to singing in public, which should make clear I have no shame.

Um, I've done drag? And plan to again? Although, that's not really private. I mean, I've got a couple of pictures on here. I find it a lot of fun, honestly. It appeals to my theatricality.

You don't mind making a spectacle of yourself (or being seen with someone who does, at least) and are committed to progressive causes.

Or, y'know, if you just want to chat. That is also fine by me! I'm always up for Earnest Conversation. Or, the silly kind. That's fun too!