"I seem to be a verb". I have always identified with this quote by the great Buckminster Fuller. The full quote is: "I live on Earth at present, and I don't know what I am. I know that I am not a category. I am not a thing — a noun. I seem to be a verb, an evolutionary process — an integral function of the universe". In addition to highlighting the fact that I am a sucker for existential rumination this quote encapsulates a more general approach I have come to take towards life: life is change, a mystery, an ever mutable form whose true nature is fleeting to those who ask it to stay put, to fit in a category. Stop asking so many questions and just live - If I had to adopt a motto, that would be it! That being said, I've chosen to make a living asking questions and I think mottos are a bit one-dimensional.

I'm living my life as richly as possible. So far I've met many wonderful people from whom to learn from and share this time, and I continue to be surrounded by them in this amazing place that is the bay area. I'm certainly looking forward to meeting many more, especially those who are "mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn" ;)

I am dynamic, intellectual and passionate. I value the freedom to think, to live and to continue to explore this world in a healthy and energetic way. Along the way I hope keep making friends, keep having fun and hopefully find a partner that can keep up with me!

Getting paid to be a big nerd (At the moment I'm finishing my PhD in neurobiology -- and yes, they do pay us.)

Balancing said nerdiness with healthy doses of raucous abandon and bohemianism

Balancing raucous abandon with mindful self-reflection

Repeat

Keeping an open mind. Laughing at life. Shaking my ass. Making you shake your ass. Keeping the beat. Staying in a state of perpetual motion.

Recently while traveling, I was told that I had a "fucking beautiful" smile by a complete stranger. So, I guess that goes in this section.

Also, to borrow from Big Boi, 'Cooler than a polar bear's toe nails.'

"What makes lovemaking and reading resemble each other most is that within both of them times and spaces open, different from measurable time and space." - Calvino

Too many books. Some of my favorite authors---Italo Calvino, Tom Robbins, Henry Miller, Murakami, Pynchon, Michael Chabon, Roberto Bolano, Aldous Huxley, Tom Wolfe, Buckminister Fuller, Kurt Vonnegut, Peter Wiess, Samuel Beckett, Don DeLillo, William Vollmann, Borges, Terrence McKenna, Alan Watts, Alan Ginsburg, Gary Synder, Kerouac, Hesse, .....

Movies by: Kubrick, Woody Allen, The Coen Bros., Charlie Kaufman, Spike Jonze, David Lynch, Christopher Nolan, and pretty much any given documentary ever. And sophomoric, yet genius comedy.

Music is an essential part of life, especially live shows/ performance - I crave the visceral and emotional energy. I've really been into electronic music lately - especially dark, dirty, funky techno (e.g. http://distrikt.podomatic.com/player/web/2011-07-19T23_07_07-07_00) but I have a broad appreciation of rock, jazz and hip-hop. Sounds like: Booka Shade, Trentmoller, DJ Kramer (and Distrikt in general), Lee Burridge, Lee Combs, Elite Force, Meat Katie, Treavor Moontribe, Flying lotus, Ill.gates, Random Rab, Pretty Lights, Stanton Warriors, Skream, TheTwelves, Deadmau5, Justice, Bassnectar, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Caribou, Danger Mouse, The Gorillaz, Kid Cudi, The Arcade Fire, The National, Tortoise, Matmos, Ratatat, Broken Social Scene, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Of Montreal, Okkerville River, Animal Collective, Radiohead, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Stones, Tribe Called Quest, Atmosphere, Hieroglyphics, Common, The Roots.........and on, and on.....

Food: Most. Especially if it has garlic. Or ginger. Or both. And noodles. Man, I love noodles. I'm an omnivore but have been becoming increasingly less desirous of meat and more picky about where it comes from. I also absolutely applaud the emergence of vegan/healthy/local/alternative eating choices as a real part of our everyday food culture (at least in the bay area) and not viewing them as strange forms of self-denial.
I rarely "just don't care" what I eat. Depending on the night I enjoy exploring new places to eat out (or old favorites) or creating something spontaneous at home. Also, I will definitely cook for you if you give me the chance!

Physical exertion. Excitement. A good beer. Music. Something good to read. A sexy, well-read conversationalist.

Plasticity of cellular, mental, emotional and social states, how those states come into being, how we can change, modulate and augment them. Also, where are the good parties this weekend?

Out with friends, cavorting, merry-making and expanding our minds. Or sleeping under the stars.

My Myers-Briggs is SDRR ;)

You: have a lust for life (yes, I did just quote Iggy Pop). Understand what a semi-colon is used for. Crave physicality. Like to dance all night. Like to try new things. Explore the liminal space between hippie, intellectual and productive member of society. Appreciate complexity, strive for simplicity. Despise drama. Are rarely satisfied, yet still happy.