Things I love: reading, writing, traveling, news, global affairs, politics (though, sure, they also infuriate me), plays and musicals, comedy shows, doing volunteer work, lit readings and lectures, relaxing at the park or on a beach, etc.

Grew up in Illinois but moved around a lot throughout my twenties. I've been in Chicago for going on two years and absolutely love this place.

My favorite qualities in a guy are a sense of humor, kindness, intellect, and adventurousness. If you are silly but also serious, and partial to literature and/or public service, you've found a kindred spirit. :)

I'm almost done with my Master of Public Administration degree, and currently work as a graduate research assistant. Used to be a newspaper reporter. I also have an MFA in creative writing and am at work on a book.

Dreaming big dreams and keeping on. And making chili.

I will venture to guess friendly and easy-going, with a dash of goofy.

Books: The Sun Also Rises, Wuthering Heights, The Glass Castle, Lit, Wild, Truth and Beauty, Jane Eyre, The Portrait of a Lady, The House of Mirth, An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination. Poetry by Lynda Hull, Adrienne Rich, T.S. Eliot, etc.

Movies: Almost Famous, All the President's Men, Shopgirl, Away We Go, Mona Lisa Smile. I enjoy watching movies, of course, but don't watch them often and definitely don't consider myself a movie buff.

Shows: Mad Men, Girls, The Daily Show, Parks and Recreation.

Music: The Rolling Stones, Feist, Ryan Adams, Aimee Mann, A. A. Bondy, Band of Horses, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The National, Regina Spektor, Florence & The Machine, The Killers, The Shins, Grizzly Bear, Mumford & Sons, Mojave 3, The Lumineers, The Head and the Heart.

Food: No seafood. Nothing with scales or an exoskeleton. No, thank you. Pass. Most other options will do.

Ambition, ideas, literature, travel, coffee/tea, and writing.

Appreciating what I have, personal growth, and my desire to make a difference/give back. Politics/public policy. This book-in-progress, constantly. And puppies.

It varies.

I automatically disqualify anyone whose screen name ends in "4U."

We like the same kinds of stuff and you think you might like me. Or we don't like the same kinds of stuff, but you feel weirdly optimistic about this anyway.

You want to grab a beer or check out an event together.