I am intelligent, light-hearted, and fairly easy to please.
I'm usually smiling and quick to laugh. I definitely don't take myself too seriously, and neither should you.

Science is my main bag, but it doesn't define me. You don't have to be into science as long as you aren't turned off by it and you have at least one thing you nerd out on.

I'm an odd mix of country boy and techy urbanite, I like to think I incorporate the best of both worlds. My interests roam far and wide, it's hard to find an activity I won't enjoy as long as I'm with good company. It definitely helps me get along with just about anybody. I'm as comfortable in a wine bar as a dive bar, and enjoy a live show or movie just as much as staying in for some home-cooking. For me it's the people I am with that make or break the experience, but I do like to keep the experiences fresh.

I value a sharp mind, quick wit, inquisitiveness and a desire to act on it, and a great smile. Good conversation is crucial. Having a silly/goofy side is a huge turn on. A healthy lifestyle is a plus as long as it's not an obsession. It's important to know when to let loose and indulge the inner glutton. Most important, you must have enough confidence, independence, and self-awareness to know how to find your own happiness. A relationship should compliment and enhance your enjoyment of life, not be the sole source of it. No one can make you happy if you can't do it yourself.

As for relationships, I am not looking for anything too serious right now. I'm not commitment-shy, I just feel that a relationship should be a natural progression, and I'm likely to pull back if I feel rushed. For me, friendship is the foundation of a good relationship, so why not focus on that and see where it goes? Let's just have some fun getting to know one another, share our favorite sites and sounds around town, and embark on new adventures together. No expectations, just a healthy dose of optimism.

I'm a biologist at UT Austin. I can tell you more about proteins than you would ever care to know. But I won't unless you ask.

I work a lot. My career is important to me and pretty demanding time-wise, but it's not everything. The balance between work and play is a constant struggle, but I'm getting better at finding time for myself, and I look forward to having someone else in my life as incentive to step away from the lab.

I'm also involved in producing a monthly event called Science in the Pub (yeah, I'm a big nerd). Mixing cool science with booze, what could go wrong? If it sounds like your kind of thing, let me know.

Grilling. I love to grill it all, from veggies to meats to bread and fruit (you should try grilled peaches sometime, they are delicious). I'm slowly working my way into the kitchen, learning to expand my culinary arts, but my real skill set is still fire-based.

Conversation. I happen to talk a lot, and luckily I'm pretty good at listening as well, two of the three most important elements to a good conversation. Now I just need someone to converse with.

I'm all over the place here, I enjoy at least some of everything, though I can be picky on the details. I'll provide more info when I get a chance.

I usually have a couple of books going, right now I'm reading book three in the Game of Thrones series and Devil in the White City. My favorite authors include Cormack McCarthy (especially his early works) and James Ellroy. Also enjoy Carl Hiaasen. I believe Carl Sagan's The Demon-Haunted World should be required reading in high-school.

I'll come back to movies and music, too much to say right now.

I'll eat just about anything, but I love spicy food. Being from New Mexico, I grew up on red and green chile and haven't stopped since. I'm a big fan of Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean, and I'm on an eternal quest for the best BBQ. Salads are a staple, and I'm always on the lookout for a new spin on the old bowl of greens. I eat as healthy as I can most of the time so that when I do indulge in decadence I can really enjoy it.

...at Hole in the Wall for happy hour. From there it could be anything: a night on the town, live music or a movie, or enjoying some quiet time at home. Beyond happy hour I don't have a regular schedule, whatever feels right.

- You're interested, or so disinterested you feel the need to tell me off. It's okay, I take criticism well.

Don't message me if:
- You need a guy to be an asshole to stay interested. I'm a genuine nice guy and I like that about myself. I'm not a pushover and I'm not soft, just considerate and kind and I don't like acting like a dick. Attraction is a crazy thing and I don't blame anyone drawn toward jerks. I'm just saying, if you are, I'm not the guy.

Note - I'm crazy busy right now so if you send me a message please be patient and don't take offense if I take a while getting back to you. Thanks.