We'll call this section a work in progress for now...
I came to Portland via the SW - specifically New Mexico. I've lived here for about 7 years now and feel that I've definitely fallen head over heels for this little spot in the world.
I'd like to think of myself as somewhat eclectic -a little bit country a little bit rock and roll... whatever that means
Things I love (in no particular order): A bottle of good wine, art, music, good books, good friends, decent (at least semi-intelligent) conversation, board games, dancing, and traveling.
I'm a fairly sarcastic person - in the most loving way possible, I promise - but that does turn a few people off, so consider yourself warned.
I'd like to think I know a little bit about a lot of things (or so the song goes...) so I'm always interested in chatting with new interesting people. I'm honestly not expecting to find the great love of my life on here - I do realize I'm not everyone's cup of tea - but if I manage to meet a few interesting folks and maybe even make a few new friends I'll be a happy camper.

Right now, I guess you could say I'm in the process of "finding myself". (please don't judge me by that particular phrase) I'm taking a little time to try new things, meet new people and try to break out of my box a little. I was given a unique opportunity to do a lot of traveling this year and am doing my best to take full advantage of it - whether w/friends or on my own (which is something I'm not sure I would have considered even a year ago).

Well, since I somehow managed to delete all of my essay questions (this would be Take II you're reading) clearly I won't be listing internet dating here...

A few things I am good at:

* I am a master at parallel parking
* I am a great assistant chef (very handy to have around!)
* I have an excellent sense of aesthetics
* I have an equally excellent sense of adventure
* I can make almost anyone laugh and have a plethora of cheesy jokes in my repertoire that I'm always willing to resort to
* I can spell big words like plethora and repertoire
* I recently discovered I'm awesome at those silly PlayStation Karaoke games! (a talent which, I'm sure will take me far in life)
...and on top of all that, I'm a great dancer too!

Laugh, smile and hair - usually in that order.

There are so many, and it tends to change depending on mood, day, season etc. So, I'll just keep adding to this section as I go:

Books: (in no particular order)
Blindness by Jose Saramago, The Witching Hour books by Anne Rice, Freakonomics by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, almost anything by Jane Green, Dean Koontz, Jennifer Weiner or Stephen King. I also have a strange affinity for coffee table art books - the problem w/this being I don't actually have a coffee table...

Movies:
Forgetting Sarah Marshal, Sabrina (both old and new), American History X, Donnie Darko, Fight Club, Pans Labrynth, Office Space, Seven, American Beauty, Labrynth, The Dark Crystal, Neverending Story (the first one and only the first one), Breakfast at Tiffany's, Truth About Cats and Dogs, Garden State, The Station Agent...

Music:
I truly do listen to just about everything - yes, that occasionally includes country - and am willing to check out anything at least once. Some favorites: Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall, David Bowie, the Bloodhound Gang, Moby, Tom Jones, Neko Case, The Buds of May, The Shins, Pink Martini, Lilly Allen....
(this list will keep growing, the truth is I'm absolute crap at remembering artist's names)

Food:
Indian, Thai, Ethiopian, Itailian, Mexican, Falafel, stirfry, cheese (this is a good point to mention that if you're either vegan or lactose intolerant we might not be the most compatible), good crusty breads, garlic... wine (does that count for food?)

family, friends, good food, good wine, music and... well, truly I think that about covers it!

What I really want out of life and my relationships (both romantic and platonic). How to better those relationships I already have while at the same time breaking through some self-imposed boundaries to cultivate a few new ones.

Where my next travel destination will be... mostly sticking to the states for now, but also thinking about leaping across that big pond and checking out Ireland...

What do I really want to be when I grow up?

Ideally sharing a bottle or two of good wine w/friends - possibly pretending I'm better at darts than I actually am...same for pool. The venue isn't really as important as the company.

I have an irrational fear of slugs... Truly though, I'll admit just about anything - all you've got to do is ask!

I'm not necessarily looking for someone who's interests match mine exactly - I don't want to date my clone. So, message me if you're fun and possibly a bit snarky yourself - and of course, most importantly, if you think I sound interesting.
Here's a couple ice breakers if you need them - it usually helps to have a little more to say than "hi":

*Favorite place you've traveled to and why.
*Tell me your favorite joke.