I'm a musician, which tends to get really hectic but I absolutely love my job and wouldn't have it any other way. Even for a fixed income...holiday/sick pay....

I love to travel and have lived in Spain and Africa. Nothing makes me happier than cooking for lots of people at my house, drinking wine, playing. I'm really sociable but also need time on my own to recharge and do my own thing.

I'm pretty independent so if you like to be joined at the hip with your girl, wearing matching jumpers etc, I'm probably not for you. However if you love to get together, have loads to talk about and be with someone who really makes an effort to keep things fresh and special, then maybe I am.

What am I looking for... tough really as I'm actually pretty happy being single so am not looking for someone just for the sake of it. I believe that partnerships should be one of equals and should enhance both peoples' lives. Someone funny, clever, left wing and preferably tall would be lovely. As far as having a type- that's about as far as it goes. I find I'm very drawn to people with a real passion for something and who have a bit of an aversion to the whole X factor culture thing.

Working hard at my career in music, some work for a charity that works with victims of torture, trying to keep learning and keep improving, and to be the best mother and friend I can be.

Stress free camping, driving in places where the rules of the road are basically to stay alive, cooking for lots of people, spontaneous adventures, decadence.

Probably the large piece of wood I seem permanently attached to.

Books- toooo many to list. Loving Iris Murdoch at the moment. Bertrand Russell is a genius. Dawkins obviously. Poetry- Anya Akhmatova. Neruda. There are some really good poets around in Manc at the moment.

Movies- I know it's sad but I absolutely love Truly Madly Deeply. The hairdressers husband, Betty Blue, and the inevitable Withnail. I tend to get bored pretty quickly so have been known to walk out of films if they're shit.

I don't have a TV. Not for any radical reason- I just never used the thing, my friend broke up with her bloke and didn't have one so I gave it to her.

Radio 4 is a constant. Maybe I should branch out a bit.

Music- impossible to list! The main loves are Mahler, Bach, Beethoven, Nielsen, Scriabin, Lloyd Cole, Me Daras Mil Hijos, Stone Roses, Pixies, Luis de Victoria, Schoenberg, Tallis, coltrane, and a million other things.

Coffee, good red, private eye, radio 4, mountains, books.

Music, sex, food, politics.

Playing, out with friends or cooking.

You're not a mentaller. Or a Tory. Or write in txt speak.

If you have a real love of life, aren't afraid to take risks, you're not too keen on the routine. Liking music a lot is probably a good thing as it's all I ever do.

What's this thing for having "the cat" or "in a box" on the end of your name? Baffling.