My life probably looks a lot more linear to someone who isn't me.

There are times when it feels like I'm a sailboat on a windless day, moving only where the waves carry me.

At other times I feel like a fencer in a duel, with events coming at me like slashes and thrusts, for me to parry and riposte.

Sometimes I feel like a shuttle trying to gain orbit, already anticipating the time when I'll burn up in re-entry.

And then, between these moments, are the times when I abuse simile and metaphor to the point that most librarians and English teachers would consider criminal.

Here are a few stable rocks in my stream of consciousness.

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I've spent nearly my entire life in New England, with the exception of a few years in Virginia. I like living here because I've gotten used to green summers, red autumns, whitish-gray winters, and hills rising out of the ground to embrace me wherever I go. I like being near my family, too. But I'm ready for a change.

I love to travel; I've seen quite a few places, but it isn't enough. I want to see something I've never seen and live somewhere I've never lived.

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I was once religious, but now I feel differently. I consider myself to be more pragmatic than spiritual, accepting those philosophies which help me find my place in this chaotic world.

I believe that the natural world is beautiful and perfect--sacred--and that we as humans should strive to restore and maintain the balance that we've disrupted. I believe in a life of simplicity and honesty. My philosophies are grounded in Pagan and Zen teachings; there is no label that fits.

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I'm a geek. Just putting that out there.

I've never tabletopped, but I've been LARPing since 2007. It's my biggest indulgence, and if you're into it, you score some CRAZY cool points with me.

I've also been involved with community theatre for the past few years. I'm currently in the first-ever production of NIGHTSONG, a vampire musical debuting in a Rhode Island cathedral. I act and sing as frequently as I can, though I'm not really interested in pursuing it as a career; for me, it's more of a hobby. Performing is fun. Doing it professionally would likely suck a lot of the fun out of it.

In the near future, I'd like to direct a production of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Or Repo!, but that would be a lot more difficult.

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I paint in acrylics.
I like the smell of cumin.
I sing along to guitar solos.
A drum circle can be better than sex.
I'm open--but not committed--to polyamory.
I volunteered at the Providence Children's Museum.
Domesticated animals and small children seem to like me.
I think "husband" and "wife" are archaic, outdated words.
I go to goth and fetish clubs, mostly just to be social.
I love to go camping, though I rarely have anyone to go with me.

What I've figured out so far is this: I have only one life. I do not believe in an afterlife, or reincarnation. One life, to do with as I please. And when I die, I want to die knowing that my life was well-spent.

I've considered going to school for renewable energy technology, or something similar...but I realized that it's something I would pursue because it's responsible. I love the IDEA of it...but I don't know if I would be happy with the work itself.

Food service is something with which I have experience, and tolerance. I could see myself opening a cafe, or a restaurant. People will always need to eat, after all.

But what I really love to do is theater. Not just acting, though that's part of it. I guess you could say I like making imaginary things into reality. I can turn plastic into wood and metal. I can pull together a costume that announces who you are, or makes you disappear. I can turn an empty room into ANYTHING.

So I suppose my goal is to get qualified and certified to work in the food service industry, and use that as a back-up while I pursue what really makes me happy :)

I can't think of anything I'm REALLY good at. But sometimes I work hard on something, and feel proud of the results.

Often this is when I'm cooking, cleaning, crafting or repairing stuff. That's right, ladies; I'm a domesticated gentleman.

Books: I've been reading almost as long as I've been walking. I really like fiction that makes you think about reality, like His Dark Materials, Siddhartha, or anything by Neil Gaiman or Orson Scott Card. I'm also fond of Shakespeare and H.P. Lovecraft.

Movies: The original Star Wars trilogy, and some parts of the new ones. Films with non-linear exposition, such as Pulp Fiction or Sin City. 80s fantasy films, such as Willow or The Princess Bride. Musicals, such as Sweeney Todd and Repo! The Genetic Opera.

TV: Take me out into the black, tell 'em I ain't comin' back.

Music: I listen to a strange variety. Seriously, it's not even worth trying to explain.

Food: Ice cream. Definitely.

My home is the place where I keep my stuff. And I like to think that the stuff I keep is a physical expression of who I am.

But if I were to travel, and could only bring essentials with me, I'd need...

- a towel. If you don't know where your towel is, don't even talk to me.

- a hygiene kit. I like to be clean.

- glasses or contacts. Seeing is believing.

- a jacket. Almost as important and versatile as a towel.

- a vehicle. Typically my car, but bike, bus or feet work, too.

- water. Yeah, it's an obvious one, but I drink water by the gallon.

Increasing my nunchi.
How to make everything around me more functional and beautiful.
Friends I haven't seen in a while.
Plays I want to direct.
Future road trips.
Building a house that looks like a derelict airship.

Working...though I don't work on Saturday, so I'll often stay out late after work.

I tend to be shy. If you see me in a social setting where I know people and I feel comfortable, I can be very friendly and extroverted; but even in a familiar place, I often worry about how I appear to people, how they perceive me.

(You don't have to meet all these criteria; the first two are mandatory, the rest are just suggestions. But the more of them you meet, the more I'll like you :)

We have a match of at least 75%. Lower than that, don't even bother. If you're answering questions accurately, then we don't have enough in common to talk about.

You're willing to meet in person. Conversation that takes place through emails and IMs is not the same as actual human contact. I'm not here for pen pals, nor am I (strictly) here for sex or a relationship. I'm here to meet interesting people, people I can actually hang out with.

You're somewhat physically active. I want to be more active, and it'd be a lot easier with a buddy. I know too many dormant people, I want to spend time with people who Get Things Done.

You don't feel the need to wear a lot of makeup.

You love the outdoors. I want to live close to the Earth, and I want people to join me. Let's go swimming in the ocean, hiking in the mountains, exploring in the woods.

You know my friends: thescooch, Wittanman, jlinkens52, essil123, Love_Junk, and chipmunknuggetz.

You at least make an effort at good spelling and grammar.

You make a living doing something you love...or, you do something you love anyway.

You can teach me how to swordfight correctly.

You like to cuddle.

You love to travel, and have adventures.

You don't smoke. I'll talk to smokers, I'd just prefer someone with a more healthy lifestyle.