I have more favorite books than things in my refrigerator. I think that bad ideas with good intentions are alright, but bad grammar is inexcusable. I like to read, and to write, and to sing along with the radio. My toenails are frequently pink, and I wear blue or grey almost every day. (Despite my occasional resemblance to a bruise and a rain cloud, I am neither.) My creative swearing has been known to startle bystanders, but I can and do keep it under control when there are children or grandparents present. Unless those children or grandparents are assholes.

My mother would describe me as smart, and my best friend would describe me as hopelessly (perilously, dangerously) optimistic. My siblings would describe me as nerdy, and most of my aunts would tell you that I just haven't met the right man yet. They are, of course, wrong about that one.

Right now I'm just waiting and seeing what happens. I have a good job, but it isn't What I Want To Do With the Rest of My Life. Once I find out what that is, I'll let you know. It might have something to do with baking. Or nail polish.

For the time being, I'm enjoying leaving work at work, and spending my free time on things I actually like - movies, dinner out with old friends, making new ones, writing, and (finally!) getting back into crafty shit like knitting. My nana would be so proud. Oh, and roller skating. Lots of roller skating.

Spelling. I excel at giving advice, but can't always take it. I can bake bread (though most of the time, cupcakes win out) with the best of them, and I'm awesome at getting lost and still having a good time. Oh, and inane mix tapes. I'm good at those, too. I am also good at bruises (giving and receiving) and ankle breaking. My own.

That I have my nose buried in a book. But I probably want to talk to you about it.

I love books (have I mentioned that yet?), so a list of my favorites would be endless. I'll try to narrow it down to a top 10 end-of-the-world, desert-island-with-no-hope-of-rescue list: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay; East of Eden; Harriet the Spy; The Hotel New Hampshire; Middlesex; Me Talk Pretty One Day; The Great Gatsby; The Collected Works of Frank O'Hara; Possession; Wonder Boys

Favorite movies: Walk, Don't Run; The Royal Tenenbaums; Mamma Mia; Operation Petticoat; Bringing Up Baby; Singing in the Rain; Être et Avoir; Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Hepburn/Tracy, not Mac/Kutcher); Hedwig and the Angry Inch; Mad Hot Ballroom; Delicatessen

Favorite Music: Rilo Kiley; Beyoncé; Girl Talk; Tori Amos; Liz Phair (pre- and post-sellout); The Lovin' Spoonful; The Shins; ABBA; Duncan Sheik; The Frames; Elvises Presley and Costello; Mika; Tilly & the Wall; Uh Huh Her; Mumford & Sons; Simon & Garfunkel; The Bird and the Bee; Fleetwood Mac

As for food: Anything, all of it. I tend to fixate on one thing, and will occasionally make it excessively in the pursuit of perfection. (Ask me about the Caramel Pudding Winter of 2009.)

1. my dog
2. my cat
3. whatever book I'm currently reading
4. rollerskates
5. coffee
6. hyperbole

potential; my family; vacations I can't afford to take; careers I am in no way qualified for; words and what they mean; "What on Earth will I write the Great American Novel about?"; the laws of physics, and my total inability to understand them; "If I don't end this sentence with a preposition, will I sound pedantic?" (Answer: Usually), how to hit harder

with friends; out late, or holed up with a movie and pizza. Either is fine by me. (Everyone says that, right?)

I own more than one patriotic pair of pants.

...you're interested in hanging out, making friends, and seeing what happens.
...you have a favorite book, and it isn't by Ayn Rand.
...watching Knocked Up makes you irrationally angry, but you'll still sit through it when it's on TNT.
Also of note: woo/wink/whatever me and I'll cut you.