Alright... High time for a re-write on this old profile. After coming back on here a bit ago, I just realized that I still hadn't done this. Self-summary, hm? Isn't that what all the stuff below amounts to?

Alright... I guess I'll say a few things about what makes me tick and what I'm looking for.

I'm particular. I know what I like and what I dislike. I like people who are thoughtful and kind. If you enjoy mercilessly making fun of people and I can't tell if you're joking or not, it's probably going to bug me. I like people who like to try new things. I'm adventurous, but like anyone else I have things that are old favorites which I gravitate toward. It would be great to have someone who would bring up new options just as I hope I would for them.

I'm slightly shy at first. My friends usually look at me sceptically when I say that around them. Just goes to show that I eventually do warm up and open up. One on one, it's not a problem, but I can tend to just be observant for a while in large groups of people I don't know. It all depends on the situation.

My love of food, which pops up a lot on here, stems from the fact that I had a short-lived stint in culinary school and although I enjoyed it quite a bit I knew that it wasn't the life for me and dropped out in search of something more fitting.

Have any questions/comments? Feel free to ask. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

I'm a teacher in the city. I'm going to come right out and say that I have plenty of cynicism about the job, but in the end I really do enjoy it. I teach middle school Science and Reading and get to work with both 7th and 8th graders. I also do an after school boys fitness with a coworker which is usually pretty amusing.

Aside from the work bit, I'm trying to enjoy Chicago and the rest of the world as much as I can. I'm waiting for the weather to start cooperating with my days off so I can start working on my skydiving license so I can have yet another way to burn through money like I actually have a lot of it (Alas, if only...).

If they know me, it's what I'm currently doing with my facial hair. Other people... I can't say I'm too sure. Could be the facial hair... maybe the hat if I'm wearing it... why don't you tell me?

Books: World War Z, The Walking Dead, Lord of the Rings trilogy, anything by Carlos Castaneda, Dante's Inferno, books based in D&D settings, Travel guides and essays, most children's lit (it goes with the job and it's just plain fun), and cookbooks.

Movies: Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Fight Club, American History X, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Army of Darkness, Playing by Heart, The 13th Warrior, Roger Dodger, Donnie Darko, Good Will Hunting, Serenity.

Shows: How I Met Your Mother, Firefly, Being Human (American... haven't seen the BBC version yet).

Music: The Tossers, Mumford and Sons, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Ewan MacColl, OCMS, Great Big Sea, Flatfoot 56, The Clash, Rancid, Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly, Slapstick, Smashing Pumpkins, Irish drinking songs, Celtic folk music, Filk, Operation Ivy. Feel free to introduce me to some new stuff!

Food: Everything. I'll try pretty much anything you put in front of me. I have a couple food friends who I go check out new (or just plain great) restaurants with but could always use more. Have a recommendation? I'd love to hear it!

The next time I'm going to travel... The next time I'm going to jump out of an airplane... The next friend I'm going to make... The next meal I'm going to have... What I'm doing on a dating website.

Hopefully out enjoying some great food and/or great company. To be frank, there's no specific Friday night plan (unless it's the first Friday of the month).

You're looking for a friend to try new food with. Or if you think you know a band I'll dig. How about if you think we'd get along and you want to go out sometime?

Also, if you're someone who has trouble making or keeping plans, or flakes out or cancels easily, don't bother contacting me. It shows a certain lack of respect.

So if you've made it this far, what's another 30 seconds to say hello?