Hi, my name is Mark, and I'm thoughtful, easy-going, and sometimes enigmatic.

Since graduating from the University of Bristol with a degree in Computer Science in 1993 I have worked as a programmer and trainer in England and the U.S. including for Microsoft in Seattle.

In 2005 I took a year off to study screenwriting at Vancouver Film School.

From January 2010 until April 2011 I did a PGCE training course to become a maths teacher for ages 11 to 19. After teaching in two London schools I decided I don't enjoy it as much as I had hoped. The classroom was great but the staffroom and parents were a pain. So I have returned to my previous career and moved to Cambridge.

Teaching: I'm patient and a good listener so I can adapt my teaching style to the learner. It gives me great satisfaction to pass on skills and knowledge to others. There's nothing like seeing the lightbulb go on over someone's head.

I'm tall (6'2") and have sparkling blue eyes.

BOOKS Parliament of Whores by P.J. O'Rourke, Pedro and Me by Judd Winnick, Boomerang by Michael Lewis

NEWS The Economist, Huffington Post

BLOGS various programming/media/maths blogs, charlieissocoollike, danisnotonfire

TELEVISION 30 Rock, Arrested Development, Battlestar Galactica, Buffy, Community, Dexter, Doctor Who, Firefly, Lost, Modern Family, Newswipe with Charlie Brooker, Real Time with Bill Maher, Summer Heights High, Supernatural, The Daily Show/The Colbert Report, The Office, The West Wing

MOVIES Too many, so here's a random selection: Avatar, Jaws, How to Train Your Dragon, Shelter, Pitch Black, Run Lola Run, The Dark Knight, The Talented Mr Ripley, Trick, The Quiet American, V for Vendetta, and all Pixar films.

MUSIC All kinds, but here are some: blink 182, Alanis Morisette, Vertical Horizon, Eminem, Boys Like Girls, Nickelback, OneRepublic, Staind

FOODS Omnivore... I have a Homer-esque relationship with food (funny-Homer, not tragic-Greek-Homer): mmmmmm! Except triffle and boiled/fried eggs (together or separately)

I love love love maps. When I was a kid, my grandfather bought me a subscription to the National Geographic and I would eagerly await its arrival each month, hoping it would have a map inside. Maps are so cool.

1) family and friends
2) fast Internet connection + laptop/iPad
3) health
4) pen and paper
5) passport
6) imagination

1) how to teach mathematics and programming
2) the meaning of life
3) sexual fantasies
4) my animated film script

Attending a writer's group meeting, drinking in a pub with friends and putting the world to rights, taking a lad out to the theatre and restaurant and then back to my hotel for a horny fuck, or snuggled with a cute boy on my sofa watching a film or TV show with a bottle of Pinot Noir.

You're going have to ask me...

I like lads who are passionate about the things they enjoy because I like learning new things, regardless of the topic.

If you like travelling we'll get on well. I like to explore the world and see how different cultures handle common social issues. You should be confident in yourself and your beliefs, but be open to new ideas.

Physically I like the boy-next-door, fit swimmer types and cute bear cubs. As for hair/eye/skin colour: I don't have a preference. I like lads who have a wholesome, boyish face that at the same time hints at a cheeky rebellious side.

I find tattoos and piercing sexy (I love kissing boys with pierced tongues), but don't have any myself.