I enjoy both philosophical and inane conversation. I like to laugh until I can't breathe, typically at something inappropriate. I tend to over-use smilies, yet rarely use acronyms such as LOL. I have a small circle of family and friends who mean the world to me; I am a homebody. I am not so much a girly-girl, and you will typically find me in jeans and a t-shirt with minimal make-up and a ponytail; although I think I clean up nicely when the situation arises. I despise laziness (if you are able to work, please do) and improper grammar (unless it's done on purpose, a la "I can has cheezburger" cats).

I am a very physical person - cuddling and the like are a must. Seriously. I love to snuggle.

My work is my passion and I can identify a breed of dog from a mile away. Ok, so I exaggerate a little, but they don't call me the Shelter Geek for nothing. If you want to get me riled up (as in angry, not as in sexually aroused), talk to me about animal abuse or pet over-population. I could also recite all or most of the New York State Agriculture & Markets Laws.

My goal in life is to temper my martyr-like work ethic with my affinity for doing nothing.

I work, I come home. I fiddle around on the computer, make dinner, feed the cats, then go to bed. Lather, rinse, repeat. My job can be very emotionally draining, so when I come home I sometimes need to just zone out and decompress with some mindless TV.

I also like to power-walk through my quiet residential neighborhood early in the morning while blaring Korn on my iPod.

On a more spiritual level, I've recently started back on the proverbial path to discovering myself, as cliched as it sounds. Just trying to figure out who I am and what makes me happy...

EDIT: I realized I wrote the above statement about a year ago, and I am still on the proverbial path. Getting closer though, I suppose. At the very least I have a new outlook on life in general.

my job. If there's one thing I'm confident about in life, it's my career. I've been working at an animal shelter for over 6 years, and I am fortunate to be able to say I know it's what I want to do. It's in my blood. It's home. I am drawn to people who are passionate about their job, whether it's some cushy executive position or digging ditches.

I am also good at being a friend, a sister, a daughter. I am a good listener. I like to think that I am a decent writer. I have been told that I give good back rubs (is that an open door to solicitation from dirty old men?)

Physically? I've been told my eyes and my smile. Either that, or my fabulous rack ;)

Otherwise, my unique brand of humor.

I write more than I read. Good poetry, bad poetry, stories, journaling, slash fiction, articles for work... Actually lots of slash fiction. Wiki that shit if you're not familiar.

I have revisited Demian (Hermann Hesse) - it was one of those "life changing" books at a pivotal time in my life. I had read Catcher in the Rye when I was about 10, so I needed something! And I'd love to kidnap Augusten Burroughs and make him tell me witty things before I go to bed.

I am a mediocre at best movie watcher - not that I don't have the attention span. Give me a "popular" movie reference and chances are I will only stare at you blankly because I haven't seen it. Glaring example - I have never seen any part of any Star Wars or Lord of the Rings movie. I realize this is a sad state of affairs. However, there are a handful of movies that I could probably recite line for line; Airplane and Office Space are two that come to mind. I also enjoy bad Lifetime movies. Mindless fluff, I know.

EDIT: I have now seen Star Wars, thus proving I am not a communist.

ANOTHER EDIT: With my new Netflix account, my movie-watching skills have vastly improved.

I admit to watching a fair amount of TV... Family Guy, CSI (Vegas only), House, Criminal Minds, Dirty Jobs, MythBusters, and pretty much anything on Food Network (I am secretly in love with Alton Brown), Animal Planet, HG and TLC. And when I'm feeling especially trashy - Maury.

Anything sarcastic and inappropriate to watch with my Nana.

I was the only 11 year old I knew who was listening to Queen, the Doors, Janis Joplin, and Led Zeppelin instead of New Kids on the Block. My dad had given me all his records, and I really got into them. Next came Faith No More, Blind Melon, Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam and Nirvana, followed by Ani DiFranco and Tori Amos. I've sort of rediscovered Korn and it has been a pretty permanent staple lately (it soothes me, believe it or not). Also love Dresden Dolls, Fall Out Boy, Rocco Delucca & the Burden, CKY, Dave Mathews (with or without "Band"), NIN, Tool, and other 104.9-type music.

The kitchen in my apartment is abysmally small, but I do like to tinker around. I bake better than I cook (I am famous for my peanut butter kiss cookies). Give me something Italian, sweet, and/or covered in cheese, and I'm yours!

Besides the obvious food/water/air?

1. Family
2. Friends
3. Animals
4. Something to write with/on
5. Music (to listen to; wish I could play but I can't)
6. Physical contact (not necessarily sex, although that would be nice too)

I would prefer to never do without the internets and my cell phone, but I am not one of "those" people glued to their Blackberry like it's a life line.

work. I know, pathetic. And setting myself up for an ulcer.

hanging out with friends and/or family, usually making dinner and watching bad reality TV or messing around on the Wii. Sorry, NES. It's back to the closet with you!

I work Saturdays, so my "weekend" is Sunday & Monday.

I have been inoculated against rabies.

... if you want to get to know me better. I have a horrible tendency to over-disclose, so there's not many questions I won't answer

... if you can speak and write in complete sentences (spell check is your friend!)

... if you'd be just as happy curling up on the couch watching tv, rather than bar-hopping or clubbing.

I am a curvy/full-figured/politically correct term for "chubby" girl, so if that's a problem for you, let's just stop here. And if you didn't make it past "fabulous rack" at the beginning of my profile, well then - that's just tough poopy for you.