I'm a continual work in progress, but I like to think I'm aging well. Like a fine wine. Or a good cheese...

Speaking of which, food is something I spend a lot of time thinking about, and I love cooking for big family gatherings as well as trying new restaurants or going wine tasting with friends. I not only enjoy buying, preparing, and eating food, but also thinking about food culture and systems. By the way, although I'm mostly vegetarian, evidence from my recent work trip to the Arctic Circle suggests that reindeer is delicious.

Most of the time I want to be out-and-about meeting new people and doing new things, but I also often just want to cuddle up on the couch and recharge - I am almost exactly equally an introvert and an extrovert on the Myers-Briggs test. I was born and raised in the area, so I still have a lot of friends here from different stages of my life, and find that I'm often out with several different groups of friends over the course of a weekend!

I make terrible jokes and pun a lot - but some people seem to laugh a lot around me, which I think is a good sign.

Making international environmental policy - at least, that's what they tell me.

Laughing, editing, ordering at restaurants, cheering, rationalizing, teasing, hoping for the best, making a pot of tea, and taking care of people I love.

Is probably the fact that I smile a lot! And when I do, I have a (single) dimple.

How much space do I have for this??? I am a massive book lover, foodie, bad TV watcher, 90s pop/rock music aficionado, and quoter of Mel Brooks comedies. The books are probably closest to my heart - everything from A Wrinkle in Time to Lamb to The Omnivore's Dilemma to Good Omens to all of Jane Austen. Last book I finished was The Ladies of Grace Adieu, a series of eclectic short stories by the author of Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. My latest favorite read was How to be a Woman - not quite what it sounds, but hilarious and hard-hitting at the same time - Caitlin Moore is a like the (dirty) modern Nora Ephron and so very cool.

As for movies, my favorites fall into the chick flick category (I know, I know, but how can you watch When Harry Met Sally and not think that it is a work of genius?!), but I also grew up on the Terminator, Lethal Weapon, and Die Hard series, and dig a good action movie. Strangely, I rarely go to the movies, even though I really like doing so - I'd like to go more often! My need-to-see-list includes Argo, Skyfall, and Silver Linings Playbook - I'm way behind.

Shows... well, I tend to watch a lot of Criminal Minds and Law & Order re-runs, Castle, and Bones as well as some terrible reality TV. Usually as background noise...but sometimes not. Storage Wars is seriously addicting, as is Antiques Roadshow - anything with old stuff, I guess! Also, I get really into The Voice though I don't like any of the other singing competition shows. My all-time favorites show - so DC - West Wing. My family has watched the entire series several times, usually all together over the holidays. I can do a fairly convincing "The Jackal" along with C.J.

I really like listening to the radio, especially in the car. I feel like I know most of the folks on NPR through their programs (and the "Tiny Desk Concerts" are fantastic - check out the Of Montreal one). I actually like a lot of country music, too, but not the songs that glorify stupidity and anti-intellectualism - there are a few too many of those, unfortunately. And I have a soft spot for the new J.T. tracks, haha.

As for food, I love trying new things and will pretty much try anything once - but brunch is my favorite meal, and I am all about the traditional brunch options right now. That said, I found myself waxing poetic about Brazilian tapioca com queijo and feijoada earlier today... the best feira food ever (I spent most of 2011-12 in Rio). I love chips and salsa and Hard Times veggie chili. My hands-down favorite dessert is mango with sticky rice.

Besides the obvious, probably:
1. Some way to access books (a library, a bookshop, my Kindle, just something!)
2. A varied loose-leaf tea selection
3. Wine tastings and cheese pairings :-)
4. Flowers and other brightly colored bits of nature
5. Sunshine (preferably on a beach)
6. Sunscreen - at least SPF 15!

What I really want to be when I grow up. Like I said, work in progress... but I think I'm getting there.

Also, what to cook for dinner.

No such thing as a typical Friday night for me! I might be at a Nats or (finally!) Caps game, line dancing (I'm terrible, but it's fun!), driving to the beach or mountains for a long weekend, dining with my extended family, hitting up a work happy hour, or even at home reading a book - I'm up for trying new things, going on a last minute adventure, or just hanging out... although if it's Friday, I guess I will have a glass of wine, too, please :-)

I still have my first and favorite stuffed animal. (His name is Fuzzy, and he's a raccoon, not a bear. This distinction is quite important.)

You are a guy who finds joy in small things, can make jokes at his own expense, gets nerdy about something he cares about, and likes being active, both physically and mentally. If you love watching Washington sports teams (Nats, Skins, Caps - woohoo!), so many bonus points!

Oh, and I'm really looking for a new way to be involved in the city, and have been thinking a lot lately about homelessness, especially among vets. If you have any good organizations to suggest that may be looking for volunteers or help, I'd love to hear about it. Seriously, I would really appreciate some suggestions!