In 80's stereotypes, I'm a nerd and a stoner. Unfortunately, my life isn't constructed like a John Hughes movie, so you'll have to do the deeper digging for yourself. I'm a leaky sponge; meaning that sometimes I can't help sharing the things in my head, and sometimes I can't be helped remembering what they were. When being complimented I'm smart and funny- when being yelled at I'm obnoxious and narcissistic. Politically I'm a progressive, as I feel most logical, well intentioned and empathic people are. I'm an atheist and secular humanist, as I feel most people who are obsessed with science and discovery are. I'm open to new experiences and open when dissecting and discussing my past experiences. I don't always speak in dichotomies.

I moved here from New York with my younger brother in 2009. It was going to be temporary, but as spontaneous decisions go living here is one of the better darts I've thrown. Pittsburgh has a lot to offer, and my residing here has become semi-permanent. Remind me to travel more, though.

Pretty much the same as everyone else, I'd expect: searching for my own brand of humanity by rushing headlong from my past into an unknown yet hopefully fulfilling existence.

I work for a local fragrance house (or perfumery) as a spectroscopist and apprentice perfumer. So very much not a thing I'd have seen myself doing five years ago. In all honesty, even as little as a year ago I didn't take it seriously at all. As I gain experience, however, confidence in my growing skill is allowing me to take pride and satisfaction from the creative aspect of my day job.

Outside of work I enjoy carousing and dancing, cooking and eating, listening and watching, and of course doing. My favorite activities are games. STOP- I know some of you are undoubtedly preparing to hit that back button, nightmare flashbacks to WoW/CoD addicted boyfriends choosing headsets and keyboards over almost anything else. While I have been known for overindulgence in such things, I'm currently far more interested in games played on a table, surrounded by friends with lungs full of good cheer. Eurogames, Ameritrash, roleplaying games; it's all good. (muggle translation : strategy board games, luck based board games, pen and paper NERDSTRAVAGANZA; I enjoy them all). Pittsburgh delivered me two incredible (intelligent, funny) friends that also love this stuff, so we are trying our hands at designing games ourselves with what free time we have.

I'm also on a bit of a self improvement kick, lately. I played football all throughout school, and then (for the most part) forgot how to be active. Currently I'm on a strict ketogenic diet (sorry vegans/vegs, there are not many meals we can share) until I weigh less than I did back when I needed all that muscle. Maybe some of that will come back too, but my priority is more on cardiovascular fitness for now. Ya know, so I can do stuff.

Strategy games.

Chemistry, biology; using that knowledge in my life as well as disseminating uselessish facts.

I'm insightful, though sometimes I lack tact and bite.

I'd like to think writing, although I don't practice as much as I should.

Huggin and a'kissin.

My voice. I speak loudly, laugh loudly, and (I hope anyway) string together words after an interesting fashion.

I was weened on Dahl, raised by Tolkien, and puberty belonged to Piers Anthony. That was a weird time. I credit much of my maturation to Kurt Vonnegut. If I am enlightened, blame the Tao. My worldview springs forth from the thinking machine of the Selfish Gene. The lessons of the Red Queen have a lot to teach about sexuality.

David Lynch, Charlie Kauffman, Wes Anderson, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, David Cronenberg, Coen Bros. They make some pretty interesting stuff. I like cheese, too. Stoner comedies, zombies, and well done documentaries. Equal opportunity movie watcher with a short attention span...

So I watch TV instead, mostly. I like a more serialized nature, I suppose, where characters actually have a chance to develop. Luckily, there is some truly great television out there with which to scratch this itch. Thanks to my DVR, I rarely miss The Daily Show/Colbert combo. Any hour where I can sit down and listen to the dulcet tones of Carl Sagan or Sir David Attenborough is an hour cherished. In drama, Homeland was the best thing to bust out this year, while I've been watching Breaking Bad since the beginning. Louie (CK) is incredible. Joss Whedon slays me and Bryan Fuller tugs my heartstrings. Terriers was pretty smart, as was Arrested Development. Freaks and Geeks and The Venture Bros, too. Fringe is cool as hell. FX has a relatively new history of truly dark and hysterical shit. There's more.

I wish I had a more musical ear, or a less grating set of pipes- instead I always seem to have a set of amazing friends who share fantastic music with me. A few of my favorites, I guess:
Andrew Bird
Big Star
The Beatles
Built to Spill
Cake
Dinosaur Jr.
Elliott Smith
Marcy Playground
Modest Mouse
Pavement
Quasi
Wilco

I wonder how long it will be until podcasts get a mention in this question? I don't know how I'd survive a work day without them.

Radiolab is my alltime favorite, although I also listen to Maddow, Savage Love, David Pakman Show, Startalk, Science Friday, Professor Blastoff, This American Life, The Moth,The Bugle, and Best of the Left.

Happiness. Sadness. Good questions. Intellectual challenges. People who make me laugh. Acceptance.

Mistakes. Jokes. Selfishness. Science. Politics. Family. My next meal. My next joint. My next fuck.

Reeking of desperation.

I'm interested in exploring kink a little more, after relishing the small tastes I've had.

You're a vibrant nerd or nerd aficionado and want to grab a bite, a drink, or play some games. The fun kind, not the dramatic one- actor type roleplayers excepted of course. I would never choose to relinquish my internet access, but I'm on this website to meet people in flesh and stone. Be bold.