If you insist on putting me in a box, it probably is the one with the label`computer expert', or `computer nerd' if you're unkind. However, if you do that I will immediately start banging on the walls of the box, because that doesn't describe me very well.

I usually know what's going on in most large art and photography museums in the Netherlands, and I've been to many museums in other countries.

Due to my job I have to travel to other countries quite a bit, and I like to look around in those countries. Not the usual tourist traps (although some of them are popular for a reason), but just walking around in a city or touring the countryside.

Important blind spots: I can't dance at all, I wouldn't even know what to do. Alcohol in any form gives me a headache before I finish my first glass. I don't watch football, or any other sport. In fact, apart from hiking (preferably with a camera) and my daily exercises, I'm not very much into sport at all. I feel uncomfortable in formal dress. I dislike mobile phones, IM, and similar stuff that requires an immediate reaction. I like to think before I reply. Conversation in person is ok, because people usually can tell that I'm thinking.

Okcupid seems to think I am quite compatible with women who call themselves `spiritual'. Well, yes and no. It is not always clear to me what they have in mind when they use that word. For what it's worth, I think meditation can be a good and very pleasant exercise to calm and concentrate the mind, I feel quite comfortable in Buddhist temples, I can see a glimmer of meaning in Zen, and this Buddha guy said some very true things. However, I have little patience with believes that directly contradict logical reasoning, such as the power of crystals and homeopathy.

Oh, and why the `kicktires' nick? I made this account to test (`kick the tires of') yet another dating site, and it didn't look promising. Back in winter 2005.

I work as a researcher in the exact sciences. I'm very happy with the job, but not with the fixed-term contracts that go with it. I'm also pretty serious about photography and art. I sometimes wonder if I should get a job in that area, in particular when the end of one of those fixed-term contracts is getting close.

Diving into a subject. For example, I've been to Japan twice, and I'm still trying to learn a little of the language, writing, and culture; at the moment I'm interested in anything related to Japan. This may well change to something entirely different next year. I've done the same in the past with a wide range of other subjects: aviation, Venice, the Bible, police radio, manga and anime, oil paint recipes and other art 'hardware', Cezanne, Buddhism, US politics (recently revived for obvious reasons), ...

I have no idea. I suppose I'm pretty average to look at, but then I'm no judge of male beauty (I do have an opinion on female beauty :-)). Once you start talking to me you probably realize I'm not very average, for better or worse.

Books by Terry Pratchett, Gene Wolfe, Iain Pears, but I have read lots of other books; some of them good, some of them not so.

Movies: What I like usually falls in the `filmhouse' genre, and rarely in the Hollywood genre. For example, I like Amelie and most movies by Hayao Miyazaki (such as Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away). There's also quite a lot of other good Anime out there, but that's a bit too obscure to list here. I do like some mainstream stuff, for example Shrek, The Shadow (I'm probably the only one :-)) and The Day of the Jackal (the original, not the terrible Hollywood remake).

Music: basically the more complex popular music, including world music. Examples: Peter Gabriel, Suzanne Vega, Tracy Chapman, REM, Bjork, Kate Bush, Cristine Branco, and most music on the Putumayo label. I certainly don't hate classical music, but it usually doesn't attract me as much as popular music.

Food: basically anything that is well-made, but I particularly like Indian food.

There are very few things i could never do without, and they are the obvious like water and food. So let's make this the things I would go back home for if I'd forgotten them: wallet, laptop, camera, notebook.

... if you think meeting me for a good chat would be more fun than sitting at home. Provided that we have some common interests and provided that you have something interesting to say, I can be entertaining company: I can carry my side of the conversation, I am quite well-mannered, and I can also listen.

A good message or email chat is also nice. Sorry, I don't like IM.

I think OkCupid has figured me out pretty well (except, why am I oldfashioned?), but I also know that I can get along pretty well with entirely different people. I keep trying to add some extra hints here, but there are always exceptions...

Fair warning: I do have a sense of humour, and it is sometimes a bit cynical.