I write fiction and love to read and talk about books and writing. I have a small group of close friends who are important to me, but I want to expand my social circle and meet new people. I'm a big fan of the Minnesota RollerGirls with a secret ambition of becoming one (I guess not so secret). If you don't know me, I seem quiet; I'll surprise you with my wit. I'm looking for someone to laugh with, someone with their own ideas who also wants to hear mine, someone ready to try new things.

I'm writing short stories these days, in what is sometimes called slipstream, somewhere between fantasy, science fiction and literary fiction. I'm catching up with movies and TV shows I missed but can now watch on NetFlix, and I like to knit while I watch. I like to make things. I have two little boys who are with me half-time; one just turned 9, the other is 4 1/2. They are great fun and also lots of work.

I talk about catching up with things, because for too many years, my life was so packed with work and childcare and keeping a household running that I didn't get out enough, didn't see movies, saw less and less of my friends, etc. I've made some changes, and I'm excited to explore new activities and meet new people.

A few months ago, I started taking roller skating lessons and I'm having a great time. I think that as adults, we don't often learn new things, especially new physical activities. I'm finding it good to push myself to do something I'm not good at and rewarding that every week when I leave the rollerskating rink, I can do something I couldn't the week before -- glide longer on one foot, go backwards, hop!

Listening. Writing complex information in a way that it can be easily understood. Finding the humor in things. Baking pie, pumpkin bread and other good things.

My single, thin braid. And to answer the question many people ask me about it -- no, it doesn't mean anything; I just like it and I've had it for a long time so even people I barely know seem to get upset at the idea of me cutting it.

Plainsong, Underworld, The Master Butcher's Singing Club, China Mountain Zhang, Report to the Men's Club and Other Stories; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Love Actually, Lost in Translation, Singing in the Rain; The Good Wife, Elementary, Veronica Mars, Doc Martin; Dessa, Devo, First Aid Kit, REM, They Might Be Giants, Sara Watkins; food! all sorts of food, except sushi! That's the list for today;

My kids, stories I'm writing, new ways to meet people, the plights of characters in a show I'm watching...

When I don't have my boys with me, sometimes Fridays are decompressing -- a workout, reading, watching a movie; I value time alone. Otherwise, I might be out having a beer with friends, talking it up, maybe seeing a movie.