First off, I really hate write descriptions of myself, and I'm a bit incredulous about internet dating. But, a number of people I know have started long-term relationships this way, so here I go.

Who am I? My dominant feature is probably that I'm smart and nerdy. I'm currently in graduate school for a Ph.D. and plan to become a professor after finishing. I love learning and am fascinated by almost every subject. And, although I do spend a lot of time, I try to balance my life with interests outside of academia and book learning. I enjoy playing tennis and just bought a kayak to use on these Madison lakes. I am passionate about politics (in the way that I find it fascinating, not that I'm going around trying to make everyone think the way I do) and college football and also like baseball. I really like cheesy television shows and movies. I have a pretty big CD collection and am frequently on the prowl for new music--recently I've liked Wilco and Spoon. I truly enjoy life and all the little and big pleasures that come from it.

I can be a bit shy and quiet when I first meet someone or in groups of people I don't know well, but, when I get comfortable, I can be fairly talkative and occasionally funny, although maybe my friends are just humoring me with their laughter.

Right now, going to school. After graduating from college, I got a job that I thought I would enjoy but ultimately concluded that it just wasn't quite the right fit. I find being in graduate school more fulfilling and satisfying, which is what I'm hoping for in a career. Outside of work, I have fun with people whom I enjoy spending time with (I call them "friends").

Remembering obscure details, being empathetic and sympathetic, math, cooking, spelling out words with pretzels.

My hair--it is naturally curly and sometimes gets a little wild from wind and humidity. Or that I'm tall. Or something else entirely; I don't ask.

Books: I'll read pretty much anything, but consistent favorites are To Kill a Mockingbird, McMurtry, Hawthorne (I said I was geeky!), McCullough, Dickens (yeah, I'm serious)

Movies: I don't really have favorite movies that I could watch over and over, but I do have a healthy appreciation for 1980s John Hughes.

Music: Like books, I can listen to anything, but favorites include Wilco, Death Cab, Johnny Cash, Bruce, Iron and Wine, Hem, Josh Ritter, Ray LaMontagne, classical Russian composers

Food: Anything breakfast-y. I could eat breakfast foods for every meal. Also, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Ethopian, Tex-Mex, cheese, cake, Dr. Pepper, peaches, and on and on.

I'm not going to count friends and family since they are pretty obvious and kind of generic answers. But rest easy that I have some and like them. In no particular order:

1. a comfortable place to sit
2. pens and paper for all those brilliant ideas and little notes that I write to myself
3. books (yeah, geeky, but it's true)
4. computer with internet access
5. fresh food
6. water (not just because it will keep me alive, but because I find it quite refreshing)

I'm usually either doing something low-key with friends, like going to a movie, going to dinner, hanging out at a bar having a few drinks, or spending a quiet evening at home reading, watching television, or (gasp!) working.

I'm afraid of finding a fetal chicken every time I crack open an egg. What, did you expect me to share a big secret?

you like smart girls who don't necessarily act like it all the time. You consistently spell out "you" and write in complete sentences. You think staying home and making (or just eating) a pie would be a good time. You read for fun. You like to be outside on sunny warm days. You want to.