Basically since I've had a profile here, I've had an apology to start things off, for, you know. My gender. Not in general (although a case could certainly be made for that), but because I know that a lot of guys here suck. I try my hardest not to be THAT guy. I've been led to believe that I succeed more often than I fail.

I'm an artist, and a writer, and some other things too. I've changed a lot over the last several years. I used to be the person who didn't want to talk about politics, and now I can't help it. I'm caught between the liberals and progressives, between idealism and pragmatism (meaning I want everything that progressives want, but think it might be harder to get there than some people seem to believe). I used to be the person who never worked out, and now I run at least 12 miles a week. I used to be the person who assumed the worst of everyone, and now I hope for the best.

I write for a living, in a particularly nerdy way (ie, about video games). Other than that, I record a lot of podcasts, edit a lot of video.. Since I'm an artist, I draw and paint, though not as much as I'd like. It's hard to find models when you're not in school, or at least, I haven't figured out a good way to find them.

I'm a pretty good painter (at least I fucking hope so after more than thirty thousand in student loans), a decent draftsman, a good writer, and other things that are datelike in conversation (which I realize may be toeing the douche-line, but give me a break).

I'm also a good source of advice, even when it's something someone doesn't want to hear (but asked about anyway), a creative problem solver, and good at pattern recognition. I'm bad at sugarcoating things.

My eyes are more red than brown.

Usually people notice my voice, or some random thing while we're talking. Or that I'm drawing them. Also, um, I guess I come off as kind of broody (brooding?). It's nothing against you, I promise. It's that other guy. You know the one. That guy. The one reading Atlas Shrugged on the BART in hundred dollar sweatpants who thinks he's a maverick and a titan among men.

He's also the guy who happens to be lucky I have the impulse control not to shove him into the path of an oncoming train.

Update: I think I've realized why people think I'm broody. It's the brow. The borderline cro-magnon brow.

My favorite books are varied, I suppose, although I should really read more than I have been lately. I discovered Richard Morgan's Altered Carbon last year, which made the Neuromancer lover in my heart cry out in joy. I read Sharp Teeth fairly recently, and it was clever and excellent. William Gibson, Warren Ellis, King, and more. Non Fiction like Our Own Devices, Everything Bad is Good For You, and the Philosophy of Science. I'm open to suggestions. Good Morning, Midnight. Kitchen Confidential. A Dirty Job. Currently reading A People's History of the United States.

I like a lot of movies. Snatch, Fight Club, Shaun of the Dead, Trainspotting, Death Proof (which was better than Planet Terror, deal with it), et al. The Descent actually made me turn it off halfway through before I could get through my punk-bitch-and-jelly sandwich (as my roommate calls it) and finish it. I like movies with well played moral ambiguity and endings that aren't stereotypical while managing to seem appropriate. Because of this, Grosse Pointe Blank is my favorite John Cusack movie. Also just one of my favorite movies. Eastern Promises was also fantastic; the bathhouse scene was probably the most intense thing I've seen in a movie in a long time. I also sort of have studied Cronenberg academically off and on, so I hope that doesn't bother you. I really enjoyed No Country For Old Men, but I feel like the narrative was so flawed that it wouldn't have made it past a first draft stage in my Introduction to Creative Writing class freshman year.

The music I'm listening to most right now includes H.I.M. (seriously, a lot of H.I.M.), People in Planes, Imogen Heap, Killswitch Engage, Jacob Golden, and Now It's Overhead. Oh hey, more music: bat for lashes, hum, scary kids scaring kids (I know, I know), halou, spoon, turbonegro, saosin, the raveonettes, alkaline trio, rival schools, genghis tron...

If you've heard of or really like any of the following groups, we should hang out or something: Sneaker Pimps - Open Hand - Shivaree - Spinto Band - Cave in - The Icarus Line - Quitter - Golden Republic

Foodwise, I like to cook. I seem to have a knack for Italian. I don't eat a lot of meat (which is partly resultant from having a vegetarian room mate). I am, however, terrible at grocery shopping.

sketchbooks, a not even combination of isolation and human contact, something to read, my conscience, my desktop, and a means to be aware of world and domestic events and happenings.

Causality, why things and people are the way they are. Also! I see people around here that seem so bright and so kind and altruistic list Ayn Rand as a favorite author, and my head almost literally shoots off of my shoulders in confusion and frustration. Put simply, she was a hack, who wrote poorly and indulgently, and whose characterization was one dimensional and predictable in its attempts to construct straw men for her cliched supermen to triumph over or be pestered by, and objectivism on the whole goes against my moral foundation.

who knows.

I occasionally feel paralyzed by all the things I want to do.

I never thought I would actually need to say this, but: Racists need not apply. The hair on my head has nothing to do with the views contained therein. (This wouldn't be here if I hadn't learned recently that it needed to be here.)

I'd like new friends in the bay area. Bonus points if you're awesome and live in Oakland. It would be nice to have friends who are less than a 15 minute BART ride away. Also, if you wouldn't mind being painted or sketched. Clothed or nude, I need both in my portfolio.