Hello out there! I'm a transplanted Chicagoan who's been in Madison for a few years now. I've got a job I like in a place I love, and I'm feeling pretty good about where my life is at in general. So according to the eternal cliche, what I'm looking for now is someone to share it with.

I've definitely got a bookish, intellectual side (if you have a half hour, ask me what I was in grad school studying for a PhD in), but I also need to get outdoors as much as possible, and I try to stay active in general.

I like laughing and making people laugh, and I like things (and people) that can be smart and silly at the same time. Although I can sometimes seem a little reserved at first, get me going and I can talk all night. I love a good, friendly discussion-slash-argument about something you feel passionate about--or a silly conversation about whatever seems entertaining at the time.

I work at a healthcare software company doing quality assurance and implementation (no programming). Every now and then I have to work a lot, but most of the time it's 9-5. Most of the time it's pretty interesting and I get to work with a lot of smart, interesting people.

Outside of work, I try to spend as much time outdoors as I can and the weather allows, whether it's biking, hiking, camping, skiing, you name it. I've even got a kayak, though I'm not all that good at it--I can go generally in a straight line and not capsize, so at least it's a start. But I'm also a committed bookworm and need to have plenty of time for reading. Lately I've been trying to cook more, and I want to eat out and find new restaurants more often than I have been.

Impressing people with the sheer amount of random and/or useless knowledge I can pull out of my head at any given moment. Finding an appropriate quote from The Simpsons for any occasion. Questioning the premises of your argument (in a friendly way).

Honestly, I have no idea. I'll have to start asking people.

Books: Good lord, how can I choose. I read a lot of non-fiction these days--history, politics, science, whatever looks interesting. I used to work in a bookstore, so even if I haven't read something I've probably heard of it. I also read some science fiction and fantasy, but find that I've gotten pretty picky about what I like. In other reading matter, I subscribe to far too many magazines, mainly political ones and book reviews.

Movies: I'm not a huge movie watcher, but when I do I go more for drama/thrillers, less straight-ahead action. Some favorites: Heat, Michael Clayton, Zodiac, The Insider, The Prestige, the Bourne movies, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Blade Runner, All the President's Men (I wish there were more good movies about politics). I do like comedies too, but most movie comedies aren't that funny to me; TV does better. I'm also a fan of Shakespeare movies.

TV (should be in here too): For current shows--Battlestar Galactica, The Office, 30 Rock, Simpsons, Daily Show and Colbert, Top Chef, Amazing Race, Survivor (have to have a few reality show guilty pleasures!). I'm a big fan of The Wire, though I've had to watch it all on DVD since I never had HBO. Bonus points if you remember Homicide: Life on the Street and were a fan, or if you've ever heard of Prime Suspect or State of Play. I also liked Sports Night and West Wing, though I have a mixed relationship with Aaron Sorkin. Monty Python, MST3K, and Arrested Development for laughs. Nature documentaries are pretty cool too, and I need to remember to tape Frontline on PBS more often.

Music: I recently realized that my eyes glaze over when reading the long lists of favorite bands in other people's profiles, so you'd probably have the same reaction when you read mine. But it's hard to explain your taste in music without mentioning specific bands. What to do? I guess there's no good answer, but I'll try to be reasonable in my lists. I like a lot of pretty obscure 90s-era indie guitar rock bands, and I tend to gravitate toward the rock end of the spectrum in general (though I'm not a big fan of heavy metal). But I do also like more eclectic, folksy stuff too. Just to illustrate, a couple of the most recent CDs I've bought (yes, I still buy CDs, shut up) were from The National, Kings of Leon, and TV On the Radio. Feel free to ask if you really want more detail.

I also have a lot of classical music that I enjoy when I'm in the mood, and I went through a phase a few years ago of listening to a lot of avant-garde improvised music. So I'm fairly eclectic, I guess. I'm always looking for recommendations; it's just too hard to keep up sometimes.

Food: My ultimate comfort food is a classic eggs/sausage/hash browns diner breakfast. I also eat far too many french fries, and I love fried chicken, coffee, chocolate, fresh bread. I like to cook (when I can find the time), and I like trying out new recipes that sound interesting. Eating out, I'll go for just about anything--I'd like to broaden my horizons. Spicy is good.

Books, music, my bicycle, coffee, reading in bed, being in the mountains

Well, thinking--if anything I probably tend to overthink things sometimes. What I'm doing, where I'm going, how to make things better. Learning something that I didn't know before.

Trying to unwind from the week, usually. Going out for a drink or something to eat is great, but I'm perfectly happy on the couch with a book or a DVD too.

That I'm not a person who just goes out and admits private things on the internet. We can talk about that stuff later.

Well OK, here's one thing--I am completely unable to snap my fingers. Believe me, I've tried. How's that for a revelation?

You're a smart, funny, opinionated, active person who's passionate about something, and looking for a friend as well as a relationship.