Brit in New York for five years, or more, of studying.

Vegetarian, Scottish, feminist, gay, atheist, liberal, socialist, double bass-playing: I was once told I had a surplus of identity.

I'm learning about music (still).

the English language and remembering facts.

A strange accent they're usually not able to put their finger on.

Novels: Crime and Punishment, The Remains of the Day, Howards End, Cloud Atlas, Jane Eyre, Possession, Knowledge of Angels, Hotel World, Grace Notes, The Secret History, We Need to talk about Kevin, Medea (by Christa Wolf), the Regeneration trilogy.

Films: Vertigo, Pan's Labyrinth, Amelie, Casablanca, Some Like It Hot, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Gosford Park, Downfall, The Third Man, The Talented Mr Ripley, It's a Wonderful Life, All About Eve, The Silence Of The Lambs, Goodfellas, Fargo, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, All About My Mother, Manhattan, Annie Hall, Wit, Chinatown, L.A. Confidential, Kill Bill, The Ice Storm...

Music: the D-flat major section in the last movement of Mahler 1, particularly if the first violins are daring enough to keep on ascending their D strings; the final trio in Der Rosenkavalier; Louange à l'Éternité de Jésus from the Quartet for the End of Time; Spring Rounds from the Rite of Spring...

I really love Chekhov and Beckett plays. "The Cherry Orchard" is a favourite.

I'm not sure there are as many as six.
Suffice to say I believe the trick is to keep breathing.

I'm not able to ride a bike. I did learn once, but it's not true what they say.