I love words.

That's the first thing you should know about me, the single most salient detail about my life. I love words. I love the physical act of forming them -- long vowels vocalizing themselves into infinite existence, sibilant rushes of air, the soft-hard stops of consonants, and the humming, purring feel of the whole word. I love etymology, and can trace the histories of words with the same loving care that some people know their genealogies. I love words in the context of writing: Their connotations, the meanings that they pick up from the words and paragraphs around them. I love collecting them, using them, defining them, and pondering them.

Unsurprisingly, I'm a linguistics major at UCD.

That's not all I am though. I'm also intensely fond of all animals. I have three pet birds, upon whom I lavish adoration without stint. They rule my life, which is as it should be.

I'm a vegetarian, a commie-pinko-socialist (ahem, "liberal"). I pick up trash in parks when I see it. I'm a hardcore feminist. I cry when I see people hit their kids in public. I think minorities get a tougher break than most people will admit to. My moral code is important to me, but I'm also tolerant of other ways of living in the world.

I love art in all its forms. My mother was the art and dance reporter for the local paper when I was growing up, so I went everywhere with her: To play, musicals, operas, concerts, museums. A childhood spent among artists has instilled an appreciation for art so deep and pure it remains somewhat childlike in nature.

I'm very silly sometimes, and very somber at others. I consider myself a good friend: Nonjudgmental, caring, attentive, smart. I've never broken a promise.

I'm deeply romantic, mostly gay, and seldom traditional. I love classic gothic novels and and surrealism. I have strong views on Alfred Jarry and Jean Baudrillard and Descartes.

When I fall in love, I fall hard. I pamper my lover with attention, with smiles, with everything sweet or kind or good that there is in me to give.

I'm your general all-around nerd. So my interests are pretty far-ranging. In particular, though, I'm fascinated by:

1. Tudor history: A glance at my book shelves reveals this. I think this period in human history is especially engrossing. The story of the Tudor era is the essential human tale writ large -- with blood.

2. Anthropology and psychology: The human being and how s/he operates in society, her/his family, and her- himself. What could be more spellbinding to such vain beings as we than our own story? Humans inherited this desire to know themselves from their pre-human ancestors, and the yen stuck. Humans are desperately curious about each other almost from birth. I'm no exception. I love all thing anthropology, psychology, and the like (provided they're well-written and aptly argued, and all that).

#. Music:
The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils

We'll forgive good ol' Shakespeare the gendered language if you'll forgive me the cliche. I have far less excuse, true. Whatever.

4. Books, Books, Books: If it has words and is in a language I happen to read, I'll read it. I gobble up books like a starving woman would a fine feast. I love reading, not in a vague, banal way some people say they do -- no, no -- as a way of life. Literacy unlocks doors in the realms of the gods and beggars, into the worlds of fools and heros, and maybe, if you're lucky, into your own.

5. Animals:

I have one cat, the three birds I mentioned, and my friends call me, "Doolittle". Yeah. It's an issue.

But seriously folks, I love animals. Over the years I've had mice, fish, cats, birds, lizards, turtles, and hedgehogs. I care deeply about animal welfare and love each creature on this planet in a lamentably uncool way. I wouldn't have it any other way.

6. Gender: I'm deeply interested in how gender works in society. I can talk for hours about how gender roles are constructed. And don't get me started on Freud. Oi.

Jung, on the other hand, is awesomeness incarnate. Only dead.

Also, I'm seeing a wonderful woman I met right here on OKCupid, so you might want to look elsewhere for romance. Really. That means you, oh straight, male, *stupid* person. Yes, you. The one who is thinking about messaging me saying:

a. My relationship is not real.
b. I should date you because you're *awesome*
c. Bisexual obviously means poly.

Please go away. You are a douche. Also I'll send quasigreat, my fantabulous girlfriend, after you.

Good luck on your hunt!

Well, now, that's a good question.

I dunno....

Well, speaking poetically and telling stories. I can talk the ear off a leaden mule. Or whatever. And I come from a long line of storytellers, so it comes naturally. I'm a decent painter, I suppose.

Oh, and school. I love school.

No, seriously.

Probably my super-high energy. I'm always talking, smiling, laughing, and at all times passionate.

Well, now, this is a long list.

We'll start with favorite books: Anything by Allison Weir, Phillip Pullman, J. R. R. Tolkein, Robin McKinley, Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Plath, or Jane Austen.

Jane Eyre
Mainstreet
Babbit
The Jungle
The Good Soldier
The Great Gatsby

And this is just the beginning. I'd overload the server if I listed all my favorite books. :)

Favorite Movies:

Shakespeare in Love
Girl, Interrupted
Imagine You and Me

Favorite food:

Nutella crepes!!!

Favorite music:

Classical music (especially Bach and Vivaldi) Jazz (particularly Ella Fitzgerald)

1. books (*murderous glare* it does SO count as one thing)

2. My pet birds

3. Learning

4. My family

5. My friends

6. Interesting questions

Poetry, my friends and family, any exotic daydreams that catch me in their lovely clutches...

Reading, chatting and hanging with friends, out on the town, anything really. I love variety.

I have OCD. I've been through treatment and I don't have any behaviors or obsessions anymore, but I was quite crazy for awhile. Now I'm crazy for different reasons. *mad cackle*

You're liberal, smart and -- most importantly -- perfectly happy to deal with an insanely imaginative, stubborn girl.

Fellow bibliophiles and ardent learners are appreciated, though... :)