I'm the exception that proves the rule. I'm quiet unless I'm noisy, happy unless I'm annoyed, energetic unless I'm tired, gregarious when I'm not being introverted, and honest if not particularly open.

I'm streamlined; built for speed. I don't put on makeup - it only gets in the way. I would live in my jeans if I could. My favourite tshirts are the ones that make me laugh. When I see rain, I want to go run around in it. When I go to the beach, I greet the water with a touch. I have flown the wild blue yonder and though it's my choice to be grounded at this time, I will someday fly again.

I've lived in Malaysia, Brunei, England, Australia, and now the US. I've travelled to Thailand, Costa Rica, Iceland, Italy, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Singapore, and Canada. I frequently spell with "s" instead of "z", and my words are interspersed with extraneous "u"s and duplicated consonants.

If I was weather, I would be Seattle - partly sunny with chance of rain.

When I'm not working or sleeping, I love hanging with my friends - we run around and get up to no good. This summer I have been successfully talked into camping! It was made awesome by the addition of several bags of marshmallows and a lenient burn policy at the campground, as well as flush toilets, hot running water, and dancing by the lake under a million stars. Last year I gave up cable TV - not enough time to sit still and watch it. By the way, I'm also too busy to play that game. So whatever game it is you're playing with the winks and nods and pokes and stalks and quickmatching, you need to find someone else to play with, please.

I am or have been active in many online social and hobbyist groups. Being "active" in a group means that I have spent a lot of time successfully organising events attended by anywhere from between 3 and 30 people. (it also means I get bossy)

In general, if I can see my way to being a better person, I try to go there. If I can see my way to making the world a better place, I do so. If I can make the world a better place by being a better person, then that's very efficient and I'm very pleased.

I don't walk if I can dance. I hike, canoe, and snowshoe all while packing in as much nature photography as I can.

helping but can also manage and facilitate

cooking or eating

talking and listening

playing, sitting still

looking, seeing

smiling, blowing raspberries, scratching backs, causing trouble

the evil smile, followed by the kicking.

I'm a little bit food obsessed - love dessert and sushi and most asian cuisines (chinese, thai, vietnamese, indian), but like to try anything new. Not a big fan of steak or mexican food, but won't refuse it.

I'm musically-challenged - can listen to the same 3 songs over and over. Right now, kd lang, sugababes, kt tunstall, and holly cole are doing it for me.

Movies - Princess Bride, Made in Heaven, Serendipity, Long Kiss Goodnight, Amelie, The Toy that Saved Christmas, The Little Mermaid, Kiki's Delivery Service, Spirited Away

Books ... good lord. OK. Diana Wynne Jones, Jasper Fforde, Eva Ibbotson, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, John Stith, Tim Powers, Matt Ruff, Frank Russell, Joan Aiken, Robin McKinley, Tamora Pierce, F Paul Wilson.

dancing, music, tickles, dessert, fresh air, internet

dancing. and sex. Mainly dancing. And communication.

up to no good.

I'm very surprised by the number of profiles I've read where guys say that the most private thing that they are willing to admit here is that they masturbate. Don't we all? Why not say "I breathe"? We all do that too, after all.

Also, I swear. A lot. Well, not like I have Tourette's or anything. But still. I don't self-censor.

- you want to go dancing. I'm not particular. Salsa, swing, tango, waltz, balboa, bachata, merengue, lindy, whatever floats your boat. And if you're a lead who can follow (or a follow who can lead) swing or lindy, I'll give you bonus points. We can discuss how you get to spend the bonus points later.

- you want to buy me icecream. I like icecream. Very much.

- you're fun to talk to and you want to get out and wander around town. Or walk in the park.

- you're interested in participating in either the national film challenge or the 48 hour film project.

- you're a whole person, all by yourself, and you click with my profile. Not looking for your other half. Not lonely. Not shy and needing another person to encourage you out of your shell. I'm not in a position in my life right now where I can play den mother to a group of children - I've had this in the past, and still to some extent have it, and it is a lot of work. Mainly on here making myself available to my peers and looking for new swing/lindy dance partners who are ambidancetrous. If you are into photography, please check out http://meetup.com. If you are lonely and in need of new friends, please check out http://meetin.org

- ooh! Also contact me if you're close to being 100% my enemy. Maybe we could have a pillowfight duel! Or water pistols at dawn!

PS - please don't message me if ALL you're wanting to do, is the online chatting, emailing thing! This is a strict no-penpal zone! I really love interacting in person a lot more and will cut you off if I think time spent with you online is going to exceed time spent with you in person. Thanks for the thought though! Hope you find someone else to talk to!

PPS - I'm very sorry but if you spell "you" as "u", I am not going to reply to your messages. I'm sure you're a nice person, but studies have shown that the kind of people who do that thing are the kind who are good at standing on my last nerve. Do us both a favour and move on - you'll remain alive, and I'll stay out of prison.