I just read an article about dating in the NY Times with the best quote about online dating: "It creates a false sense of intimacy. You think you know all the important stuff, when in reality, all you know is that they watch ‘Homeland.'"

I really think the only way to actually get to know someone is by having a face to face conversation with them, but I'll do my best to sum up me...
I grew up in Montana and left after college because I wanted to live somewhere with more to do. I've never regretted leaving but my time away has helped me to realize how lucky I was to grow up in such a seriously beautiful place. If you appreciate the outdoors at all, I strongly recommend a visit to Montana. Start with Glacier National Park. I moved to Seattle after college and after almost 5 years there I moved to Boston for an AmeriCorps position. I spend my days helping teach inner city kids to read and am in the process of applying to Masters of Social Work programs.

Meeting people who make me laugh is one of my favorite things in the world. I'm pretty sarcastic most of the time and like when people can take it and give it right back. I think a shared sense of humor can go a long way in building a successful relationship. Most of the time I'm pretty bummed out by mainstream stuff like reality TV and pop music and love quirky off-beat humor and discovering new independent bands. I LOVE live music and would rather see a show at a small local club than a big arena although big music festivals are pretty awesome. I love to dance and tend to know the lyrics to most songs.

If I were to take a trip in the US I'd go to Austin over Vegas and Portland over LA. I love places with character and an interesting story and most of the time I would rather drink beer at a hole in the wall bar than wine in a fancy restaurant. When I hear people describe a place as a dive, there's a pretty good chance I'll like it. I like to get dressed up for special occasions but I'm more comfortable in flip flops than heels. I am outgoing and love getting to know people so I tend to ask a ton of questions when I first meet someone. I am easy going and love when people can go with the flow and are always up for a spontaneous adventure. I'm also a big fan of themed parties and like any excuse to wear a ridiculous costume.

Teaching kids to read, thinking about grad school, exploring Boston

Sarcastic banter
Singing
Balancing my bags of my stuff on my handlebars while biking to work
Kickin' it with kids
Getting people out of their shell
Defending the left side in soccer

Books: East of Eden, A Catcher in the Rye, Love Walked In, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Giver, On The Road

Shows: The Office (about 4 seasons ago), 30 Rock, How I Met Your Mother, Parks and Recreation, Parenthood, Sunny (again, a few seasons back), and I always get sucked in to crime shows

Music: too much to name/almost anything..old country, 90s rap, 90s anything almost, Beastie Boys, newer chill roots rock (Dispatch, G Love, Jack Johnson, Keller Williams), Mowtown, classic rock specifically late 60s/early 70s like James Taylor and The Band, Ben Folds, Ani Difranco, The Avett Brothers, Ben Harper, Bob Marley, Minus the Bear, just ask...I really love music

water (to look at, swim in, kayak on, sit by...)
my 5 best college friends
laughter
dental floss
Spotify
microbrews

Grad school, where that will be, what I'll learn, where I'll work during and after, growing up in MT vs growing up in the inner city, Elliott Bay/Lake Washington/Puget Sound, inequality and discrimination, how good The Office used to be

Finding beer specials and dancing or at home chilling out...really depends on the day and the week

I don't really like avocados...I tend to get a whole lot of crap for that. Extremely private, I know.

You want to have good conversation and also laugh a lot. You love live music and want more of it in your life. You think Arrested Development is funny.