In some ways I'm very modern, but in others, very old fashioned.

Like the dinosaur, most of my kind are extinct, but those of us who are left can still swallow a small man whole.

No wait...that didn't sound right.

I mean...some chewing would have to be involved. Okay, biting at least. Then we'd have to hold him in our maw for awhile until he got all soft and gooey, and then swallow.

Hmmm...that's not very attractive either.

...but that's me, southern and thick, with very impressive teeth.

Update: I'm coupled again. After a five year physical estrangement during which we both learned a lot about ourselves, we're back on track. Goes to show, if you want a life partner, you have to be prepared for whatever life brings. When you love someone, you love them however it takes. If it means backing off, then that's what you have to do. Just don't dismiss or alienate them.

So long as you stick around, you'll have a friend. I don't say "at least" because true friendship is uncommon, and involves no less love than a romantic relationship. It's just a different flavor and priority level on the survival scale. When someone is family, they're family and should stay that way so long as they're willing and able.

I'm a mom, a writer, a webmaster, a braider, and I teach online courses. I work at home except when I have to do hair. Then I work at the salon and various local festivals. From time to time I also design and/or sell neat accessories for freaky people like myself who can set trends for muhajabas, hippies, lolitas, cougars, and goths all in one week.

Braids, cornrows, and other natural hairstyles. I can also draw, sing (second alto), and I'm pretty good with body art. I also sew and design clothing and accessories from time to time, but I have been focussing on other things lately...well, except for dreadlock beads. I make a bunch of them in phases when I get an idea. Lately I've been making some using semi precious and precious gems and polymer clay. I thought of taking some designs to the jeweler and having them done in silver, but I got this idea that a precious stone should get more wear than to be limited to one piece. The advantage of polymer clay is that when you get tired of a piece, you can pop out the stone and put it in something else. If you do it the right way, you can also put another stone in that one's place for a change of color or whatever. I also like the versatility of possible designs that I get with polymer clay. I'll be glad when one day they make an oven bakable precious metal clay.

I'm a very good cook, and occasionally I do artistic catering for local cafes and restaurants.

Recently, I've gotten more serious about belly dancing, and I'm told by others that I'm pretty good at it. I'm trying to encourage my mom to try it out as it's something Christian women can do that will prepare them for the...rigors of marital life and childbirth, that has a long history in the holy land. It's more an activity that women do together for fun, fitness, and self expression than it is a performing art or entertainment.

I'm the webmaster of a few good sites, but I won't talk about those here. If you would like to learn more about me the best place to start is my blog at IronWynch.com

If approaching from the front, the first thing people usually notice is my smile. I tend to smile alot because I try to be happy regardless of the situation.

If they look a bit longer, they'll notice my eyes and my posture. I am very confident, and can sometimes seem intimidating...until I suddenly reach out and hug them or something, if they're looking like they need one.

Then they notice that I'm warm.

If I'm not wearing a scarf, the first thing people usually notice is my dreadlocks.

I'm not an extremist about the head covering thing. It's nice but not a necessity. I wish people didn't politicize it too much, because it really is practical with the weather and dust here.

I just believe that there is a difference between just saying you want people to respect you more for your mind than your body, and actually relating to them more with your mind than your body. Respect is earned, and clothing is just a costume. One should dress for the part they want to play in this life.

Books:

The Brothers Karamazov, anything by Asimov, Octavia Butler, Friedrich Nietzsche, or Toni Morrison...and even though it was a little cheesy and dry to read, I liked the Gor series. I've read almost all of them. They were fun. Ask me about more books I liked because I read ALOT.

Movies:

Star Trek II the Wrath of Khan, Ladyhawke, the Shaka Zulu miniseries, Highlander, Romeo and Juliet (sappy, I know), etc. Basically I like to watch movies that move the heart and heat the blood, even if the story isn't that complicated.

Music:

I like music of a variety of different styles from alternative rock to zydeco depending on my mood. I just utterly cannot stand the twangy country music.

I like good food. I am a good cook, and I'm told that generally I tend to eat like an Italian in the summer and a Polish person in the winter.

Material:

food, shelter, water...basic Maslow stuff.

Emotional:

Can't do without love. It doesn't have to be love from others, even though that's nice to have. I have to love myself. I do very much.

I'm usually thinking of the next poem or story I'll write.

What I can do to improve my websites, and make the courses better for my students.

How long I'm going to ride or how far I'm going to walk next time.

Dancing, or at home watching movies with my daughter, or hanging out with my friends. I like to have fun and party hard when I need to let off some steam, but I also feel that family is more important.

I sometimes, okay often fantasize about being a giant tentacled monster.

I also still have a teddy bear.

Something else sort of private, but that I should probably admit to anyone who reads down this far...I can tell if a guy has the potential to love me, from the first kiss. I just don't always tell the guy that right away because some guys react harmfully.

You think for yourself.

I'm always happy to meet another independent thinker. If you live in Haifa and aren't a wuss, maybe you can drop by our next gathering of the clued.