Sarilka is famous in Japan. Sarilka received the "Most Interesting Woman in the World" award in 2012. It's been said that God has a Sarilka complex.

Third person aside, I'm constantly learning (which is good, since that's substantial parts of my job), am inspired by intelligent discussion and debate, and dig finding new places. The world has amazing hidden spots in it, and I am thrilled when I find them.

I'm from Texas, but I moved to Chicago a couple of years after I fell in love with it on a trip. I love it here. To quote a friend, it's like living in a vacation.

I live anecdotally - I love doing things when I think that a good story will come from it. I surround myself with people who inspire me.

In my spare time, I tell stories and I go out geocaching; my handle there is PandaChic.

I'm really fantastic at loading dishwashers. I'm a weirdo, I like doing dishes. Ironically, I hate putting them up, probably because I'm short and it's hard to reach cabinets. I have very little stored above the second shelf due to this.

It's a triviality, yes. The longer answer is: I'm good at everything I do.

I cut my hair short a few months ago. It's okay, but not really warm enough to live in Chicago, so I'm growing it back out. I was recently told I have a lovely nose, which is an odd compliment to receive.

I could go on quite a while about each of these categories, so let's keep it to one each:

Books: Stranger in a Strange Land is the book that changed my life. I reread it every couple of years, and always take something new from it.

Movies: It varies; I'm not sure if I have a favorite. I'm not a fan of comedies, but I do enjoy dark humor, and I don't enjoy torture movies at all, and will walk out of them.

Music: My current favorite is probably The Mountain Goats. Music isn't really my life - it's more the background soundtrack for my life.

Podcasts: This American Life, by far. I am a fangirl for Ira Glass.

Food: Real food varies, and I can usually find something on just about any menu - I totally have a sweet tooth though.

TV Shows: I tend to watch police procedurals (although not Law and Order and those sorts), and scifi shows.

My explicit goal in life is to Not Be Bored. Therefore:

1. Home. Wherever home is. The definition changes.
2. Entertainment. Whether this be a book, a conversation, media, etc.
3. Some sort of access portal to the internet.
4. My dog, Ella. She's a 10 lb papillon I rescued about two years ago.
5. Living. Too many people live to work - I work to live.
6. A goal in mind, professional or personal.

Most months, my bike is also high on the "It would be very inconvenient if I didn't have it" list. In the off months (eg, January and February) my CTA card probably replaces my bike on the list.

How to be a better person. What my mission is. How I can do good in the world.

I suppose it depends, but sometimes it's winding down after a long work week, other times it could be geocaching, and still other times it could be taking in a show.

I'm somewhat faceblind. Essentially, it means I have a hard time recognizing faces. On the up side, it means I notice haircuts very quickly. On the down side, it takes me a long while to recognize someone. When going on OKC first dates, I've been known to ask for a photo of what someone is wearing that day so I can better recognize them.

Someone told me recently that I'm looking for a unicorn. But I'm a unicorn myself, so I don't see that as an impossibility.

My ideal mate is kind and considerate, but tough so I don't walk all over him. He knows what he wants out of life, but more along the general themes than the specifics. He understands I love Chicago, and won't ask me to move (bonus points if he loves Chicago as much as I do). He has a career, and is comfortable and happy in it, but works so he can live, not lives so he can work.

If you think you're a unicorn, send me a message. Conversation starter if you need one: I'm interested in the books that change peoples' lives. Tell me what book changed yours.