I'm an aging closet-goth with occasional childlike tendencies, and a geeky tomboy net-addict who's delighted to be working on the human spaceflight program. I grew up in the midwest, got a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and work at NASA. I've no great love for Houston, but I did miss the thunderstorms when I moved to California for a few years, and for the human spaceflight program, Houston's worth tolerating.

- I'm less of a "girl" than most of the girls I know, and I put no great stock in machismo in guys.
- I seem to be a gamer hag - hanging out with all the gamers, but not actually a gamer myself. (RPGs and most video games, that is...I'm all about board games.)
- I value open minds, intelligence (which doesn't necessarily equate with formal education), and supporters of equality for all.
- You have to be a bit of a goofball and be able laugh at yourself on a regular basis, but I don't want someone who's going to be constantly calling attention to us in public, either.
- I have a particular soft spot for artists and theatre geeks, particularly if they can complement my appreciation for and dabbling in their arts by having an appreciation for and dabbling in science and technology.
- That said, I need my partners to have ambitions in their life and be actively working toward them.
- If you feel like you should be in Austin but are stuck in Houston, we might well get along.
- I have zero tolerance for guns in my home or any other property of mine, and have great reservations against having a relationship with anyone who's chosen to be trained to kill (e.g., military, police).
- Smoking and drug use are also big turn-offs for me.

I met many of my best friends, including my former husband, online; I think that's more symptomatic of my having unusual preferences than being socially inept (as some might accuse). One of my former boyfriends once said that I have a thing for tall, skinny, funny looking guys (think David Bowie, Peter Murphy, Sting), and he's right. I'm not exclusive to that type, as personality trumps most everything, but they're the ones who will most often turn my head on the street.

I'm sporadically doing random improvement projects with my house, generally enjoying my job (though it has its stressful times, as with any job), clubbing fairly often, and failing at learning to date (I've never been a dater, really - I'm more of a "pick through the bunch 'til I spot one that has a good shot (which I can usually tell pretty quickly), and then try to make a serious go of it" kind of girl).

I ought to start getting involved in things that both interest me and involve other humans, whether that's finding a losing soccer or softball team to play on for fun (found a soccer team recently!), taking up a new language or learning more of one of the ones I've started, or maybe getting involved in local theatre. I can't seem to make the time for that, though (and/or can't find teams that don't mind losing). In the meantime, I'm catching up on a lot of movies via Netflix and the library, and catching up on a bunch of books.

Blending in: I'm a freak in sheep's clothing 80% of the time. I'm also good at tinkering with home repair projects, being a devoted partner when someone will have me (and assuming they've passed my narrow filter to even become a partner), operating on a 10AM-2AM schedule (though most jobs don't allow that), honoring commitments, hiding quietly in corners at large or strange social functions, remaining friendly with my exes, learning languages, and generally not caring much what most people think of me.

I originally said, "My hair and the fact that I don't talk much (unless their first exposure is reading my online journal posts, where I babble incessantly)." After consulting with some of those people who've noticed me (and who aren't me), a few said hair (especially my buzzed nape), and a number mentioned my smile. I'm remembered by people I didn't know in college (but met later) as the odd girl always riding her bike around campus, even in the dead of winter, while wearing shorts and colorful tights.

Books) Neal Stephenson, Stephen King, Wiliam Gibson, Harry Potter series, Franz Kafka, Siddhartha, The Complete Far Side, The Neverending Story, Michael Moorcock's Elric books

Movies) Nightmare Before Christmas, Better Off Dead, Big Fish, What Dreams May Come, Edward Scissorhands, and all the Pixar films, plus Invader Zim, Star Trek (esp DS9), and Firefly in the TV arena

Music) REM, Peter Gabriel, They Might Be Giants, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Peter Murphy, Rasputina, Yello, Metallica, Thomas Dolby, Michael Gulezian, Dead Can Dance, Depeche Mode, The Dead Milkmen, Jane's Addiction, Thrill Kill Kult, Nine Inch Nails, Sinead O'Connor, Rush, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Sting, Weird Al Yankovic, Art of Noise, and a lot of synthpop/darkwave/industrial/whatever the kids are calling it these days (I don't own much, but it's most of what I dance to at the club)

Food) ice cream, sushi, thawed frozen strawberries, excellent teas, blue cocktails

A computer with internet connection, my baby blanket and gundybear, a few clothes for my back, hope that I'll have someone to share my love with, music, and equal rights.

Whatever project I've most lately thrown myself into. I like to make lists and do research. I'm not OC, really. Really. OK, maybe a tiny bit, but it's generally only in good ways like those that make sure I can find things and the bills get paid on time. ;)

Also, I'm addicted to food and trying to lose weight for my long term mental and physical health, so I spend more time than some people are comfortable with trying to deal with food issues, and I share those battles 'cause I find external support helpful.

Either home alone being a big slug, having a low-key night with a friend, or out dancing at Numbers with some alcohol applied to keep the crowd phobias at bay. There's occasional variation, and I've been spending a bit _too_ much time on work lately, but that's a generally true statement.

I shave my legs pretty infrequently, partially because they're a little sensitive in spots, but mostly because I'm lazy and it's a real chore. Also, it ITCHES when growing back in.

You're OK with possibly never getting a reply, 'cause I'm very fickle about feeling that anything here is worth any effort, AND

You generally don't use single letters in place of words (e.g. "u", "r") in your typewritten speech and you can spell worth a darn, AND

You're interested in getting to know me better, and you aren't stuck on girls who are built like models (I'm not fat, but I am fluffy) or are always perfectly made up (I take care of myself, but don't often bother with lots of primping; I do clean up well, though). You must be comfortable doing more of the talking in person. I'll chatter with the right person, but I don't run across many of those.