While the precise taxonomy is uncertain, Ian is believed to be a tree-dwelling mammal, of the genus homo or pongo. Macroscopic features include pentadactyly, bilateral symmetry, two-to-four eyes, many pockets, a single endocardium, and a rather practical bicycle. Hair color varies seasonally. Native to the western portion of the North American continent, but has been identified as far south as New Zealand. Indicator species include felis silvestris catus, glycine max, and columba livia.

I like cats, make squeaky noises, work with my hands when afforded the opportunity, and enjoy lighting things on fire. I like to be honest, with myself and with others. I'm a bit of a geek. I like electricity. I have been known to date more than one person concurrently, sometimes for years.

Lately I arrange flowers, build large-scale fire art, practice aerial acrobatics, study CNC machining, teach the occasional class, make up new rope dart tricks, and attend a variety of epic parties.

I used to write software for Wikipedia, and before that I made kinky porn for a living. I've also worked as a welder, machinist, fire performer, EMT, and photographer.

Honestly, my life is great.

Boys: I'm listed as bisexual because saying anything else would be lying. I sleep with people of whatever gender. With a small number of exceptions (most of whom turn out to be in the circus), I tend to only be attracted to boys I know already. That sort of precludes "dating." In short, you should probably save that well-crafted, eloquent introduction for someone else. Good luck!

The production of large, cumbersome, unfinished "art" projects (ardentheavyindustries.com). Making rash decisions that leave my whole house covered with feathers for a month. Making photographs (flickr.com/photos/raindrift). Explaining to people all of the interesting little details of their powerful psychoactive substances (dancesafe.org). Making mechanical things continue to work. Finishing the aforementioned art projects.

A few years ago I was taught how to listen. Now I do it a lot. My friends call me.

More: raindrift.com

Weird hair, bent glasses, fire moat (not always in that order).

I don't tend to have favorites. That said...

Two of the most beautiful books I have ever read: 1. Steppenwolf, by Hermann Hesse, wherein a terrible, wretched, depressed character is created, then redeemed by the power of things I didn't realize I loved until years after I read the book. 2. The Timeless Way of Building, by Christopher Alexander. I realize it's unusual to cry when reading a book about architecture, but every time I get to the part with the ancient fish in the little pond, yep, there I go...

Movies: I loved Short Bus—funniest porn I've ever seen. Amelie was great, and so was Waking Life. Oh, and Requiem for a Dream. I love Baraka. Stardust was wonderful. There's a lot of good cinema in the world and I can't possibly list it all here.

Music: I tend toward the electronic, complex percussion, and unusual (but harmonious) sounds; nonetheless, my tastes are quite diverse. I fell in love with a pop song last week.

Foods: I'm mostly vegan, and lactose intolerant, and eat a low-GI diet. This makes me less of a pain in the ass to eat out with than you might think because I don't whine about it, but I am still unlikely to accompany you to that awesome steakhouse. It also helps that I can cook pretty well when I bother. I made spicy citrus and sake fried noodles the other day. It was quite tasty.

Shows: This probably refers to TV, but I don't watch it, so let's talk stage. I'm a huge fan of Cirque du Soleil, and circus in general. It's like that shit isn't even real. Also, if you have the opportunity to see Sleep No More while it's still running in New York, DO IT! Just trust me on this, okay. I KNOW THINGS!

All the dwarves but Grumpy.

At this moment:

1. The economics of global poverty.

2. The best ways to enable massive volunteer effort, and how to scale the organizing principles.

3. How to build a self-cooled steam/lpg/air thruster, and make it small enough to wear.

4. The tragedy that is worldwide fossil energy dependence, and where I could fit into the solution.

5. A better way to hide a can of propane under someone's skirt.

6. Beautiful machines that immediately reveal everything about their function. Some are made of metal, some are made of code, and some are made of thousands of people working together.

There are no typical Friday nights.

My nipples are embarassingly sensitive. Also, I miss the taste of cheese.

...you don't have time for me -- if you're so caught up in your awesome life that you won't make room to date people who aren't sufficiently compelling.

The most important thing to me is that you understand how precious your life is, and you realize that you have the ability to use it for whatever you want. Be interested in things, to the point that your interest is infectious and motivates the people around you to make stuff happen, too.

Ideally you'll be confident in your ability to learn whatever you need and have the skills that come from believing in yourself for years, but you'll also feel comfortable living with almost nothing. This allows you take serious risks, to lead your life as if you're not afraid to fail, and therefore to do things that are amazing.

Or just drop me a line if you think I'm cute. Maybe I'll think you're cute too.