Issuing supreme power to you...one moment.

My self-summary Propose an edit

Hello. I'm new to the online dating scene, as well as any sort of dating. I would describe myself as the quiet type, faring better in a small group of familiar people, rather than in a large crowd of relative strangers.

I can often be shy and slow to take the initiative, at least until I have time to get used to a situation. I get on best with people who are friendly, honest, respectful and above all, fun to be with. I enjoy the company of those more confident and outgoing than I am, as well as people who can stimulate my mind and hold a good conversation.

My interests include reading (just about anything, though there is a slight preference for sci-fi, and fantasy), creative writing of my own, and role-playing games. I hit the gym once or twice a week as well.

Spiritually, I would probably be an agnostic. I haven't found any established religion that I feel an affinity with, though I do look into different ones (as well as various spiritual and psychological systems that aren't connected to religion) to see if I can learn anything from them--I think everything and everyone in the world has something useful they could teach me, if I'm open to it. Despite not following any single religion, I am open-minded about their merits, and respect those with genuine faith.

What I'm doing with my life Propose an edit

At the present, I have a job doing administration work for an epilepsy charity. Right now, I'm making a conscious effort to be more outgoing and meet more people, either face-to-face or online. Progress there is slow, but reasonably steady. I'm slowly bringing myself round to a happier, more confident outlook on life.

Long term plans involve bringing some more money in without abandoning a job I love, and leaving the parental nest and finding a place of my own within 2008 (know anyone in the Leeds area who's seeking a flatmate, perchance?).

Recently, I did a sponsored walk up Mount Kilimanjaro, raising money for the international development charity VSO, which is something I'm quite proud of. Though it was much harder than I'd imagined, pushing myself to the limit and accomplishing something like that on my own was a great feeling, and a welcome boost to my confidence.

I also do a bit of amateur photography, after I had a look at the snaps from the walk and was surprised at how well they had turned out.

I'm really good at Propose an edit

Tough one, because I tend to be reluctant to toot my own horn. But I've been told that I'm a good listener, and a good writer.

The first thing(s) people usually notice about me Propose an edit

To be truthful, I'm not very good at assessing what other people think about me (and when they say something positive, I fret that they're just being polite), so I couldn't honestly say. I hope it's good (obviously!), and if not, I hope that people will pipe up about it so I can improve.

My favorite books, movies, music, and food Propose an edit

Books: Quite a few! I like sci-fi and fantasy especially. My favourites authors right now include Stephen King, Jim Butcher, Stephen R Donaldson, Neil Gaiman and Clive Barker. I'm always looking out for new reads.

I'm also fond of graphic novels, manga and webcomics with my regular ones including "Schlock Mercenary", "Scary-go-Round" and "8-Bit Theatre".

Currently reading: "Fatal Revenant", "Claymore" and "Arabat". I quite often have two or three different books on the go at once, but never have problems slipping back into the storyline after a break.

Music: A bit of everything. Seriously, name a genre and I could probably give you some favourite songs from it. But overall, my most played list includes Juno Reactor, Nightwish, Kirsty McColl, Joss Stone, Meatloaf, Shaman, Dragonforce and Crazytown. Of course, my favourites might change on short notice. I have a liking for epic, bombastic rock or metal with HUGE guitar solos, as well as one-hit-wonders from the 1990s who nobody else has heard of. I also like music in foreign languages--though I don't understand the lyrics, that's part of the appeal because I can listen to the beauty of the human voice without getting distracted by following the story of the lyrics.

Foods: I have simple tastes myself--it's amazing how many variations you can come up with on the theme of "sandwich". But as well as trying to move to a healthier diet, I have been having a go in recent months at learning how to cook--it's enjoyable, even if I don't eat any of the stuff I make. I can make a cake reasonably well, which is a start.

The six things I could never do without Propose an edit

1: A good book. Reading tends to be my default activity when I'm bored.

2: The Internet. An inexhaustible reservoir of information, creativity, humour and interesting people such as yourself--what's not to like?

3: Pen and blank paper. I like being able to set down interesting thoughts before they flit away again.

4: A quiet place. Somewhere to just let all the stress and frustration drift away. There's a river where near I live and when weather permits, I like to just sit on the bank and listen to the water.

5: Music, in some format. It helps me think, and a familiar tune can relax--or excite, depending on my mood--the mind.

6: A good view of the sunset. Because to me, that is the most beautiful time of day.

I spend a lot of time thinking about Propose an edit

I think a lot (maybe too much) about what I want to do in the future, and on what scale. I've been reassessing my life a lot this last couple of years--trying to take an honest, frank look at where I am now, and what I need to do to make my life more fufilling and enjoyable. I also think a lot about spiritual affairs, the way I fit into the world and affect the lives of others. "How do we find meaning in this life?", "How can mankind realise their potential?" and other light questions.

I also try and make some time to be amazed by the world, to see silly, beautiful little things in nature and other people that I'd overlook in the course of a normal day, and take a moment to reflect on how cool that is.

On a typical Friday night I am Propose an edit

I never know how to answer a question like that; I feel like I should say something dramatic like "Oh, I hiked across the Arctic waste, wrestled a couple of polar bears, then hit the clubs. How about you?"

For a more serious answer, I'll most likely be at home. I'm not a social butterfly by any stretch of the imagination, though I would like to change that over time.

The most private thing I'm willing to admit here Propose an edit

I have Asperger's Syndrome. This is a disorder that is a variant of autism, which makes it tougher for me to read the many forms of unspoken communication (body language, tone of voice, hinting), or to express my own feelings in the most articulate manner. This can make social interaction awkward occasionally, or lead to an unintended misunderstanding.

I do make a serious effort to compensate for these traits, and also find written and online communication is less prone to these problems, and comes much more easily.

You should message me if Propose an edit

If I haven't scared you off yet. Seriously though, I don't have many preconceptions about who I want to meet or what sort of relationship I'm after--right now, I'm simply interested in getting to know interesting, friendly people and chatting about pretty much anything.

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