Time to update the profile, so here’s a new paragraph or two. After trying several dating sites, I’m sticking to OKCupid as it’s the only site that’s not matching me up with standard issue corporate Republicans. I have a corporate job myself, but otherwise am pretty well out of the norm (in a good way!). If you’re right wing in any way, move right along, nothing to see here…. Although I was a bit perplexed yesterday to see a Quiver match that had us in the “Y’all Got Issues” category. Really???

I’m making great strides in improving my health – 10 weeks now of no gluten, no sugar, no artificial sweeteners. It’s actually been a lot easier than I thought it would be. I’ve also gotten into a serious exercise program – who knew sorting out my foot issues would be the key! I’m very excited to have found shoes that let me exercise as much as I want. As I work on better health and a slimmer body, I’m still struggling with the chicken and egg issue about weight. I don’t love fat bodies, therefore I don’t believe anyone would like mine (self sabotage, anyone?), but I also believe I should be able to love myself as I am and that having that kind of self love would allow others room to love me. I’m working on embracing the paradox and also loving myself and my body enough to treat it well. And maybe that’s the key. I’m constantly challenging myself to expand the boundaries of my comfort zone. Sometimes I sail over the top, and sometimes I crash into the electrified fence.

/end new stuff

I'm new to online dating and am not really sure if it's for me. Is it possible to meet "the one" this way? I have a teenager and a busy job, but I need some fun in my life. I'm looking for someone with a good sense of humor who enjoys trying new things, is kind and compassionate, and knows the power of introspection. A deep thinker who also knows how to have a good time!

I'm truly looking for my romantic best friend, my partner in crime. Someone who is emotionally healthy and mature, open to new things, always growing. Kindness is a must. I need someone who enjoys the arts, music, film, food, as well as a stable and healthy home life. I like a balance of going out and staying home. Creative tendencies are a huge plus, even if it's just appreciation of creativity. I have a good stable job, but I love to write and am working hard on the second draft of a screenplay. I have an RTF degree from UT and worked on movies for about 8 years until I became a parent. I love live music and enjoy going to concerts and comedy shows.

I have not dated in a long time. I've been raising my teenage daughter by myself for her whole life, and at first handling being a working single parent took all my energy (and then some). In the past few years I've realized I need to reclaim myself again. One reality I had to face was that I'd put on too much weight. I've lost 50 lbs in the past two years by vastly improving my eating habits, and more recently I have finally started working out again. I am very determined and when I set my mind to something, I stick to it. I was not overweight earlier in life, and I want to get back to a weight I am comfortable with. I understand a lot of guys prefer the skinny girls, as I used to be a skinny girl and I sure got a lot of attention. So I am looking for that rare man out there that is not put off by my work in progress body!

Enjoying it! I've had a lot of ups and downs, and learned from them. I'm in a good place and looking to make things even better. That's where YOU come in.

Talking, writing, laughing, learning.

I don't have a clue. You tell me!

Finally started this part:

Music: Don’t even know where to start! In no particular order and what comes up today: WIlco, the Clash, Death Cab for Cutie, Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters, Pink, Adele, Fitz and the Tantrums, David Grissom, Joe Ely, My Chemical Romance, the Pogues, John Hiatt, Elton John, Augie March, Babybird, the Psychedelic Furs, Daniel Johnston, Coldplay, the Neville Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, the xx, Frank Turner, the Naked and Famous, Sarah Jaffe, Placebo, Oasis, Guy Forsyth, Bill Carter, Pearl Jam, Aerosmith, Alejandro Escovedo, Eurythmics, Azure Ray, Bat for Lashes, Band of Horses, the Beatles, the Stones, Bob Marley, Florence and the Machine….that’s enough for now. I studied music for 12 years, don’t get to play much these days – I need to get my 100 year old piano tuned and dusted off. Unfortunately it lives in the garage, as it’s too big to fit anywhere else. Thank god it has a metal soundboard in this heat.

Movies: this one is hard because I love so many. Again, no particular order and what comes to mind at first: Fifth Element, the first 3 Star Wars (see Patton Oswalt’s rant about killing George Lucas), the first Matrix, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, anything made by Tim Burton with Johnny, Midnight in Paris, Drive, Blue Valentine, the Guard, Serenity (Browncoats forever!), Moon, Slumdog, Mr and Mrs Smith, Clueless, the Graduate, To Kill a Mockingbird, All About Eve, Psycho, Big Lebowski, Chinatown, Get Him to the Greek, Inglorious Basterds, The Usual Suspects, A Single Man, the King’s Speech, Tree of Life, War Games, Winter’s Bone – and more. Anything with a good story well told is a plus! Screenwriting is a passion.

Food: I’m both a gourmet and a gourmand. Fine dining or chili dogs and everything in between. Faves are Thai, Tex-Mex, Greek, Indian, Chinese, upscale comfort food (love Max’s Wine Dive and Bess). I like to cook and experiment, and love to learn about food and cooking from TV, online or YOU! I cut out sugar, artificial sweeteners, and gluten in February, and overall I do eat pretty healthy. Every now and then I let myself have "forbidden fruit" as being overly restrictive is no fun.

Books later….

Family/friends, cat, wine, books, music, movies.

I had to evacuate for 3 days during the Labor Day fires, and I looked around at my stuff only half realizing I had to make that "what the hell do I take" decision. My teenager was running around yelling "We're all gonna die!" while she grabbed all kinds of random things. I grabbed a few clothes, laptop, my travel size toiletries and a couple .of books. I tried to take it a little more seriously and added my backup hard drive and my grandma's jewelry. Overall it was less than I took on my last trip where I got everything into a carryon. I got my kid, my mom who lives nearby, and my cat and that was it. All the rest could go, although I would regret losing all the boxes and boxes of pictures. I consoled myself that it would be fun to get all new stuff with the ins check. The people and the cat were the key items. (and all is well, nothing burned, all I lost was a fridge full of food due to the power outage)

The nature of reality

Either tired and at home relaxing with some wine, or downtown to see friends and hear music.

Nothing comes to mind at the moment....