Here are a few random tidbits about me:

Music moves me.

I'm equal parts poetry, science, and Futurama. (I really do want there to be an app for "Bite my shiny metal ass").

I never feel more alive than when I'm going somewhere new. Whether I'm heading to an international destination or an art opening down the street, I relish new experiences, ideas, and perspectives. Curiosity and a love of learning are defining traits.

In terms of travel, my ideal is to spend as much time in a location as possible, soaking up the culture and "settling in," to be a part of the place, rather than rushing around like a tourist. My favorite international city is Kavala, Greece. Iceland, Spain, and Thailand are high on the list for future trips. Domestically, I'd really like to take a two week camping/hiking trip through the Badlands and the Black Hills. (I find Nature and Culture equally inspiring).

I'll take Jean-Pierre Jeunet over Wes Anderson, and Pizza over Sushi every day of the week. (Speaking of pizza, I finally found a decent slice here in Seattle -- at Ballard Pizza, just a block down from the Tractor. As an ex-East Coaster, this brings me more joy than you can probably imagine).

More as the story develops ...

Working
Learning
Breathing
Growing
Dreaming
Writing
Searching
Smiling

(Yes, I'm the offspring of a Hallmark card and a child's boardbook). :P

Rolling my tongue
Telling stories
Dancing when no one's looking
Planning vacations
Cooking -- I recently made some fantastic baked ziti. Browned some ground beef with garlic, onion, and shredded zucchini & yellow squash to go in the sauce; and used three cheeses (sharp cheddar, ricotta, and smoked mozzarella). I often judge the success of a meal by how good the leftovers taste and these kicked some serious ass -- errr, tastebuds!

I'm fairly voracious with all of the above. Some highlights ...

Non-Fiction (spiritual/psychoanalytic): The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm.
Fiction (it's a tie): The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams & Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy.
Currently Reading: Just finished the first two books of the Hunger Games, and am about to start Beyond by Graham McNamee.
Best Band Ever: dada (and all its iterations: Butterfly Jones, Mike Gurley and the Nightcaps; X Levitation Cult; 7Horse)
Very close second Best Band Ever: Toad the Wet Sprocket
Recent Favorite Band: Rose's Pawn Shop
Local Bands: Star Anna & the Laughing Dogs; Eldridge Gravy and the Court Supreme.
Local Venues: Triple Door; Tractor Tavern; High Dive
Food: Indian, Greek, Pizza, Cupcakes, and French Fries smothered in melted mozzarella and beef gravy!!!
TV: Anything Joss Whedon or Aaron Sorkin; Mostly anything by J.J. Abrams. Also, Doctor Who.
Comedian: Dylan Moran (Treat Yourself: **http://youtu.be/26IuUx3w-LI** AND He's coming to Seattle for the first time this June!!!

Travel, Laughter, Cats, Coffee, Music, and ...

*Whatever story I happen to be working on at the moment, or thinking ahead to future stories.
*Why -- with increasing desertification of our land, crazy/unpredictable weather, and a growing world population -- isn't more money being spent on (and more attention being paid to) solutions like vertical farming (instead of shiny new gadgets like the iPhone).
*Whether I'll live long enough to get to travel to Mars
*Which great band is going to play next in Seattle

Shhhh. Be vewy vewy quiet. I'm hunting wabbits...

I often dream about Entenmann's Chocolate Devil's Food Crumb donuts or Dunkin' Donuts -- because I can't get either here in Seattle (or on the West Coast generally).

You're curious about the world around you and the one inside of you, you're intelligent and goofy, you like music and cuddling ...

And ...

You want to grab a slice or a cup of coffee, explore a Seattle neighborhood or park, see a show, hold hands and jump in puddles, or all of the above or something completely different ...