(needs updating, perhaps, though it's not as though OKC users are rushing to look at it)

Through high school, I studied piano, then gave up because I actually have a good ear -- and therefore couldn't stand my playing any more. It's hard being the black sheep in a family of musicians, composers, conductors. But I do try to make up for it with passion.

I'm an abject musical groupie especially for classical musicians, and especially for pianists, since I'm a failed one myself. Music is my main passion in life, with the (possible :) ) exception of the women I love. I also love writers, artists, anyone who's active politically (left-wing-wise), people who aren't satisfied with the way things are -- and don't worship the dollar.

Ah, I love doing so many different things -- there just isn't enough time in life.

* For a start, I still love doing all the kid things I was ever interested in. I have most of my old toy cars (and fortunately, I was anal-retentive about keeping them in good shape -- they're worth a small fortune on eBay now). I love playing board games. Poker is also a favorite, as long as we're only playing for pennies. I could maybe beat you at chess if I'm lucky. I'm the world's worst pool player bar none. I suck at video games.

* I love to bicycle. I love to walk -- anywhere. I love the outdoors and especially the beach, but I also like walking around urban or suburban environments. Photography is another big hobby, and I like taking pictures of things that no one else would find photogenic, such as old signs.

* My main passion is music. Now I'm not very informed on contemporary performers (though I like most everything, hip-hop excepted) but in classical and jazz I'm quite au fait. I have a wall, a large wall, full of thousands of LPs, CDs, and tapes, including about 80 percent classical, but also everything from old film scores to British comedy albums to sound effects records.

* Related to this, I love audio and gadgets. I once worked as a recording engineer. My sound system takes up two five-foot racks. I have more computers than I can always keep track of. I have a Miata.

* Finally, I'm a writer and editor by profession. I love words and the finer points of meaning, grammar, spelling, even pronunciation. I'm not the sort of person who goes around correcting anyone on any of these things, but if you want to argue with me about any of them -- I'll win.

That's a hard question to answer, since I'm rather shy (maybe that's what they notice!) but I've been told I have a nice smile.

As I’ve mentioned already, classical music is my main passion. Brahms is my favorite composer, but Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Handel, Schubert … there are so many. It would be easier to say what I am not interested in than what I am interested in! Well, I’m not a big opera buff – that is to say, not a fan of obscure Italian opera or “three tenors” atrocities. If you’re talking about Beethoven (Fidelio, one of my favorite operas), Mozart, or Verdi, that’s another story – great music by any standard.

Out of the thousands of recordings I have, I’ve got many favorite performers, and I couldn’t begin to get started on that topic. But as people who aren’t into classical music don’t usually realize, the interpreter makes a big, big difference. I’ll just say that. I studied piano, but I’m mad about the violin and cello as well. Chamber music, the most intimate, individual form of classical music-making, is my favorite of all.

Outside of classical, I’d say jazz is my favorite form. Not “smooth jazz” (ick), but straight-ahead, blues-based music out of Chicago, Kansas City, or New Orleans. I also just like vocalists a lot. Here’s a random list of some artists, for what it’s worth (but, this is sooo incomplete):

* B.B. King
* Beatles
* Bill Evans
* Bobby Darin
* Billie Holiday
* Charles Aznavour
* Count Basie
* Duke Ellington
* Edith Piaf
* Eric Clapton
* Eva Cassidy
* Frank Sinatra
* Imogen Heap (Frou Frou)
* James Darren
* Joe Williams
* Joss Stone
* Llhasa De Sela
* Madeline Peyroux
* Maynard Ferguson
* Muse
* Norah Jones
* Nellie McKay
* Peggy Lee
* Regina Spektor

* a means of listening to music
* my contact lenses (can't get a correction with glasses)
* seafood
* a way to travel (road trips being the very best)
* the people I love
* you (hopefully)

sleeping :)
road trips
cuddling
whatever song is in my head

Warming up the hi-fi and listening to music; what else?

I actually like football (if it's the 49ers)

-- You love music, photography, or other artistic pursuits
-- You like road trips
-- You enjoy craft beer, whisky, and the occasional toke
-- You're curious about polyamory, being a unicorn, or at least accepting of the fact that I'm happily married to rivkat but we both would like to hang out with you if you're a single girl.