I'm a serious thinker who can definitely laugh at life, and I'm passionate about my thoughts and beliefs. My friends often remark that I can relate science to anything, but then they admit that they love it. I'm incredibly loyal and I've had some of said friends for many years. I love nature and being in the outdoors, in quiet ways. I become absorbed into novels and then suddenly it's 3 in the morning. Same with conversations. On the outside: I'm an atheist, vegetarian, environmentalist and a tad girly. People laugh at my jokes.

I'm getting my PhD in evolutionary biology. I'm interested, broadly, in how social interactions drive evolutionary change. Basically, I study the behavior of fruit flies and then I mush them up and read their genomes. My work consumes me.

I also enjoy exploring my new environment, LA. I like coffee shops (found 3 good ones so far), museums (LACMA!!) and just poking around. Weirdly/awesomely, since moving to a city I also spend a lot more time in nature; I go for a hike or to the beach most weekends.

My plan, always, has been to try to be a great person and "the guy" will appear. Not that I'm perfect or anything, but I'm pretty happy with where I am... but where is The Guy? To the internet!

Playing Devil's Advocate, reading thousands of perspectives into anything, sarcasm, baking things with chocolate, noticing things, packing.

Honestly, I don't think people usually notice me, at first.

I absolutely love novels. I'm always in the middle of one. I usually claim that my favorite work of fiction is Pride and Prejudice; you just can't beat Jane Austen for witty repartee. Also, um, the shy sarcastic girl ends up with the awesome guy. I could get into that. Anyway, I like other genres too. I like books.

I also read a variety of non-books, from fuckyoupenguin and the onion to the op-ed page in the Times. The NY Times. If that wasn't obvious, we might not get along.

I don't eat meat, and I try to avoid things that derive their existence from killing animals (leather, gelatin, republicans). I appreciate blue cheese, good olives, avocados and ranier cherries. The only thing I miss about the east coast is apples. Espresso, red wine, dark beer and scotch are food groups.

I'm just not very musical. It's true. My favorite musicians currently are Tori Amos, The Beatles, New Pornographers, The Killers, Indigo Girls, Frou Frou, etc. I like songs where the words almost make sense but not quite. Also, full disclosure, I will listen to *and enjoy* crappy pop music. But only in my car and at parties.

the evolutionary process
the people I know, and who they are and why and what they might do next
people I don't know, but can see from the bus and who they might be, based on Things About Them.
food
what I need to do tomorrow

usually cooking and drinking with my housemates, or maybe catching up on the Daily Show...

I'm a private person. I don't "admit" things. I will tell you almost anything you want to know about me, but not until after I have decided that you are awesome.

I'm looking for someone confident, intelligent and driven; someone hilarious who knows when to be serious (and when not to be too serious); someone incredibly driven by his passion for something important.

If now you're kind of annoyed because, seriously, everyone would say that his or her passion is "important," we might get along.