Joker, baker, (part-time) mischief maker, and full time nice gal.

I'm a transplant from the wilds of upstate NY who fell in love with the vibrant intellectual/cultural life of Boston, and transitioned from a corporate gig to a career in human services. I am a smidge geeky (I love science fiction, going to lectures, and non-fiction film and books), but I also like sports (especially hockey) and pop culture.

I'm a verbal ninja...for hire.

To pay the bills I am a crisis clinician, which means I talk to people in hospital emergency rooms when they have mental health issues and try to hook them up with services. It's often rewarding, frequently challenging, and always interesting. Also, when there aren't any patients I get to read books on the clock, which is a bonus. I have an MA in counseling psych, and I'm working towards a license to counsel, but not in a huge rush. I am also getting involved with my union as an activist, which has me excited (I grew up in a union household and am pretty pro-organized labor).

When I'm not making mad-phat stacks of cash (I used to work with troubled teens, which was a riot and also almost killed me) as a public mental health worker at a non-profit agency, I can be a bit restless. I volunteer with a bunch of agencies around town (folk radio, NARAL, the Red Cross, political causes, ect).

I did the corporate thing for a while and had a blast, but now even after a bad day at work I know somebody's life is a little better because I showed up. It's a nice feeling.

I've been told that if there was a guide to having fun in Boston for five dollars or less, it would be written by me. I'm good at coming up with things to do. I'm also good at cooking (cupcakes especially), listening, and being a friend in general.

a big smile.

Favorite Books: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1146889
Non-Fiction:Devil in the White City, The Wordy Shipmates, Under the Banner of Heaven, Stiff, Manhunt: The search for lincoln's killers
Crime/Noir: The Cool Six Thousand, American Tabloid, Shutter Island
Humorous Novels: Thank You for Smoking, Lucky You
Science Fiction: The Diamond Age, Einstein's Dreams, Accelerando
Spy: The Company, Absolute Friends (mostly LaCarre stuff really)
Random Fiction: Vernon God Little, Middlesex, Empire Falls
Cookbooks: I am obsessed!

Movies
http://apps.facebook.com/flixster/u/787130760#/flixster/u/787130760?filter=all
I like a lot of old movies: Some Like It Hot, The Third Man, All About Eve, Rear Window, Singin' in the Rain, Double Indemnity
I have pretty eclectic taste. Not a huge fan of the "rom-com", but otherwise as long as it looks somewhat interesting or entertaining I'm down. And I am a complete sucker for documentaries.

Music:
Again, with the eclectic taste. As an example I have three music ringtones: Kanye, Weezer, and The Jungle Book soundtrack. I like interesting samples or instrumentation and at least somewhat intelligent lyrics. I like folk, "alternative" or "modern" rock (whatever that means these days), some pop music, hip-hop (although the misogyny usually turns me off), bluegrass, ambient and some electro, and more traditional country.

Food:
I'm a pescatarian with an adventurous palate who loves to cook, especially for other people (I do a TON of baking, and have been into cupcakes lately http://more-cupcakes.blogspot.com/). I even cook meat for folks...especially those who do dishes

OK, so this feels a bit bogus, because I'm fairly certain I could do without a lot of things if i HAD to. I like to think of this as the last six things I would part with.

My sister, a good book, caffeine, my mixer (which is actually a like because i could totally kick it old-school with a wooden spoon, but it's just SO AWESOME), my Sabres zip up sweatshirt, lip gloss

What to do this weekend, how to be engaged in the world in a way that is consistent with my values, Neil Patrick Harris and why he is so awesome, why "Let Me Clear My Throat" has been stuck in my head on and off for the last year...

Maybe at a friend's house playing games, or out at a movie. Occassionally at x-mortis or common ground if I'm feeling energetic. Maybe out at a bar with a few friends drinking and chatting. Not a major party person. I mostly like just being around my friends and having a good time. I have just discovered the joy of playing drums on rock band.

That I can be more guarded about private things than people think.

you feel like it?