I describe myself as queer, rather than gay. I've been described as "boyish," which I'll take, but I don't identify as butch at all even though sometimes people make that assumption based on my appearance. That's the problem with binaries, I suppose. Occasionally, folks who do identify as butch try to "out butch" me, which is a concept I just really don't understand and have no interest in participating in. Here's what I can tell you: I know how to throw a football. I don't do it well. I really don't care which one of us can throw it farther. Can't we just have fun, and then go have a beer?

I'm really somewhere in between a gay boy and a scruffy union guy, which is actually what I do for work...well, I'm a union organizer. I haven't found it possible to be a gay boy professionally yet.

I've been rediscovering a love of cooking, experimenting with new recipes and knowing where my food comes from thanks to a friend who's been out of town for several weeks and asked me to pick up her farm share. I also learned what a kohlrabi is.

I'm back in the Midwest after having moved around for a good number of years. I'm not looking forward to winter, but other than that I'm happy to be home.

As mentioned above, I work for a union and am spending a lot of time cooking with local produce. Aside from that, I've finally accepted that I don't have the self-discipline to teach myself to play the guitar, so I'm about to start taking lessons.

making people laugh, staying calm in a crisis, looking at the big picture, and organizing the refrigerator

People frequently compliment me on my eyes, my smile and my sense of humor, so I guess that's what people notice first.

Favorite books: The Unbearable Lightness of Being and The Catcher in the Rye (both are great, and also have sentimental value for me)

Music: Lady Gaga and Bob Dylan

Food: Indian and Ethiopian

Movies/Shows: uh, I'm going to have to think. I actually don't watch that much tv on a regular basis, but I'm hoping to get hooked into a show or two during the cold winter months.

My friends and family (I know this is sort of an obvious choice, but I really do have great people in my life. Honestly, I could probably do without this other stuff, but I'd rather not.)
Argyle sweaters
Sunday mornings with coffee and the NY Times
Whiskey
Uncontrollable laughter
My Chicago Public Library card (I hear this makes me a real Chicagoan)

...my winter plan. I hate cold weather, and left the Midwest as soon as I finished high school to get away from it. However, circumstances have brought me back, so I've decided to embrace winter instead of fighting with it. I spend a lot of time thinking about my survival strategy (a.k.a. fun things about cold weather). So far, my plan includes stocking up on good books and movies, trying to get hooked on a tv series or two, drinking whiskey, sledding with my friend's 6-year old, visiting museums and hosting games nights. Any other suggestions?

Grabbing a beer with friends, having people over for dinner and game night, or relaxing on the couch with a book