Hello! My name is Michael, I'm 31 years old and a professional geek working in Warrington for a research council. (I don't actually live there, but it's a useful location to put on here.) I'm more than just that, though ... I am also an occasional musician and enjoy spending time with friends and family.

I am amicable, dependable, and erudite. (These come from the days when you had to put three words to describe yourself ... does OKCupid still do that?)

I work as a Computational Scientist at Daresbury Laboratory, writing computer programs for scientific research that use modelling methods similar to those I used for my Engineering Doctorate at the University of Manchester. The large hard-bound thesis on my shelf allows me to call myself "doctor" instead of "mister". :)

Apart from that, I also play viola, piano and (very) occasionally violin in shows - including proper operas, various Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, rare and not-so-rare Rodgers/Hammerstein and Rodgers/Hart musicals (e.g. South Pacific, Allegro, A Connecticutt Yankee), West Side Story, Christmas panto and variety shows. I have also stepped out of my orchestra chair and waggled a stick in front of people as part of being an MD (Musical Director). I also play percussion for a local brass band, so I also (try to) hit the hell out of mainly tuned percussion instruments at the right times. And as if *that* isn't enough, I occasionally do a bit of composing - usually arranging other people's music but I have written some of my own lately. :)

I also speak Esperanto and go to various events here in the UK from time to time to meet other Esperanto-speakers and practice my speaking skills. I've been to the International Youth Congress in Liberec, Czech Republic, which was my first international Esperanto event ... 'twas a lot of fun and I want to go to some more! :)

Playing viola, violin and piano (absolutely true - I've been told this after years of practice), doing mathematical-like stuff, completing sudoku grids, giving massages and various other things which I shall not mention here for reasons of taste and decency! ;)

My glasses - they make me look intelligent and interesting (hmmm ...), my smile (in spite of what life throws at me, I very rarely stop smiling!) and my perfect specimen of a body (yeah, right! :P).

I'm particularly fond of biographies and autobiographies, plus JK Rowling's Harry Potter series, Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker series and various others too numerous to mention here.

I can certainly watch Cabaret, the Monty Python movies, most Mel Brooks films, Star Wars (although not so much the prequels), a few 'world cinema' films and a couple of slightly weird ones (message me for details).

I am an absolute nut for classical music (especially Bach, Shostakovich, Britten, Walton and now Brahms), although I do have a fairly eclectic taste, including cabaret (such as Fascinating Aïda), jazz, big band, the Beatles, Queen and Jamiroquai, Scissor Sisters, Joni Mitchell etc. I also play viola and piano so anything that I can play or I really want to play on the viola or piano is generally something I will want to listen to.

Apart from certain salads, I can pretty much eat anything, although my favourite foods include chocolate, fish and chips, roast dinners, chocolate, fruit-corner yoghurts, fruit, more chocolate ... :)

1. My iPhone - almost certainly my favourite gadget. :)
2. My car - public transport in the UK is so bad, I have to have one to get around and get me to work on time!
3. My viola - keeps me sane and occasionally earns me a bit of money. :)
4. My computers - I need them for work, research, listening to music, watching DVDs etc.
5. My books - they keep me occupied and I sometimes learn something new from them
6. My family and friends - these are the people who I love and who reciprocate with ardour, and sometimes help me do my laundry!

The silly mistakes I make from time to time, my research/work, music, what to get my family for Christmas or birthdays (there are quite a few of them to buy for!) ... :)

relaxing at home ... I need at least one day a week to recuperate from work and music! :P

Popular songs can pass me by ... I met a member of The Automatic two and a half months before I realised the song "Monster" was theirs. :S This was in spite of its lyrics being referred to in a favourite BBC Radio 4 Dickens-themed comedy series, Bleak Expectations.

Even more privately ... I'm seeing a rather lovely guy now, so as flattered as I am by guys hitting on me (including "straight" guys wanting to explore their bi-curious nature), it ain't gonna happen, OK?

You want to, I suppose ... *shrugs*, especially if you're after a new friend who can listen attentively, bring something interesting to a group and is willing to put up with me being around for them - I generally like to stick around through thick and thin if at all possible.