So, I'm updating this for the first time in rather a little while!

I'm a recently-graduated PhD in "medieval stuff" who is looking for my first big break, trying to get that all-important first lectureship so I can move on with my life! So, as a result I'm in a bit of limbo and trying to make the best of it as I can.

I'm American (though prefer it in the UK), enjoy geekery and games almost as much as I love dancing (having formerly been an actor in Musical Theatre). I'm an introvert, but don't think that means I'm shy! I'm the sort to enjoy a nice conversation over a bottle of wine more than a giant piss-up in town-- though there are definitely times and places for the latter as well.

Trying to get published, trying to get my first lectureship, and trying to enjoy life in the meanwhile!

Turning very simple questions into ten-minute answers.

I was a musical theatre actor for a while, so I enjoy dance (especially lindy hop/swing dancing) and singing, I'm definitely the first one on the dance floor or up to the karaoke mic. I'm quite a good cook, and I'm not bad at computer games. And recently I've taken up silversmithing and jewellery making as a way to keep creative in small doses. And I'd like to think I'm a pretty good teacher, though I imagine some of my students would love to argue otherwise!

Most of these things spring from the fact that I love telling stories; I'm a storyteller at heart.

My housemate has just said "you're very tall"-- though I'll admit that's perhaps not the most profound of answers. When pressed, she said, "you're quite Byronesque". I'm pretty sure she meant that as a compliment!

Books: Any quality fantasy literature (especially Tolkien), and I have recently become fond of travel stories, especially lighthearted ones. I have to read as a part of my career, which in some ways is great but in some ways takes the fun right out of it.

Movies: Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Serenity and other quality Sci-Fi is also a favourite, as well as many historical films (though that's part of my work, so...).

Shows: Well, I was a musical theatre performer for a while, so musicals hold a special place in my heart, especially those by Sondheim, Jason Robert Brown or Michael John LaChuisa. I loathe Andrew Lloyd Webber with a fiery passion.

Music: I've recently been enjoying a lot of neo-folk and neo-bluegrass stuff, like Nickel Creek and Great Big Sea as well as some more traditional irish music. I also enjoy good swing music (since I'm a swing dancer in my spare time), and have a passion for musicals.

Food: I love food, I'm a total foodie. I love Sushi especially, I just wish it was less expensive in this country! I also love Korean food but can't find it around here which is a total disappointment. I miss barbequing terribly.

Well, there are of course the obvious answers to this question-- I think I could survive without anything but the absolute basics... however, if I had to choose 6 objects to be stranded on a uninhabited island with for all eternity, I'd choose:

1) My computer (complete with outlet and high-speed internet connection of course... I wonder if Amazon.com delivers to deserted islands in the south pacific...)

2) A great sushi cookbook. Hey, on a deserted island, there's bound to be lots and lots of fresh fish around, plus seaweed... just need to land on an island with rice around...

3) Good company. I get lonely sometimes, and I think I would go stark-raving mad a lot quicker than Tom Hanks in "Castaway". I'm an introvert, so I don't need people all the time-- in fact too many of them can be really draining-- but if I go a whole day with nobody at all to talk to, it makes me grumpy.

4) Tea. Lots and lots and lots of good tea.

5) I can't think of any more. I'm not sure what that means-- maybe I'm easy to please, maybe I'm low maintenance. Either way.

A lot of different things, I guess you'll just have to ask me to find out.

Lindy hop is on friday, so I'm there, then for a quick pint afterwards. That is, unless there's a LARP on-- I do enjoy a good LARP, it's a fusion of so many of my other interests...

High school, for me, was more hellish than most people. Many kids go through high school enduring hate crimes because they're gay... I went through high school enduring hate crimes because people thought I was gay just because I liked theatre and was a dancer. I'm still not sure which is worse, being hated for who you are, or being hated because you're thought to be something you're not.

you're friendly and looking to have a good time (and no, that's not necessarily a euphamism for casual sex). It's just that I have no idea where I'm going to be in 6 months time, whether I'll still be in this city or even in this county. But, I'm happy to try to enjoy life with someone wanting to do the same without any set expectations.