Eternal optimist under siege by a self-centered culture. Stress-cleaner. Guitar user. Bulletproof (untested). Invariably scruffy. Gamer. My work schedule's a bit different than most people's so I dig late nights

In exile from Brooklyn for the moment, regrouping and back there ASAP.

Helping a major tabloid newspaper entertain the masses every day (while providing healthy disapproval in the form of head-shaking at its chosen political slant) by making sure you get said entertainment on your chosen tablet device. (Digital newspaper editor.)

The rest of the time: Planning to be a rock star, a game journalist, and the Dennis-Quaid-in-The-Rookie of pro soccer (I play keeper for a surprisingly strong weekend beer-league team).

Rewriting bad copy, nerdy board games, knowing what year a movie was released, arguing with my cat (most of her points are bullshit straw men).

I'm told it's my eyes, but prefer to believe it's the ridiculous cowlick.

Most recent musical obsessions: Golden Dogs, Tame Impala, The Ugly Club, The Envy Corps, Passenger, Mogwai. Forever enjoying: Umphrey's McGee, Blues Traveler, (any jam band, really), Foo Fighters, Guster, Bowie, Green Day, Explosions in the Sky, The Streets ... this is silly, I love most everything. Really. Jazz, good hip-hop, bluegrass. Here's a sparse sampling: http://open.spotify.com/user/sthipp/starred

Last three books read: The Dresden Files: Summer Knight (Jim Butcher), Heart Shaped Box (Joe Hill), Pirate Cinema (Cory Doctorow)... Predominantly fiction. I read enough about real life at work. Really enjoy Palahniuk's stuff, HST and all the requisite fantasy and horror trash.

Last few shows I caught up on: Fringe, Homeland, Parks & Recreation, Burn Notice. Newly minted Doctor Who freak. Dexter, Ed, Life on Mars (the UK one), Alias, Firefly and Battlestar hover at the top of my all-time favorites.

Movies: I'll watch ANYTHING, but LotR is a favorite for the nerdly nostalgia it provides. Fincher, Tarantino, Wes Anderson, Charlie Kaufman. Really, though I'll sit though anything. Just not in a crowded theater. I'm not an animal.

Food? A good grilled cheese sammy beats pretty much anything. 'Cept maybe the pickle that comes with it. I'm a bit squeamish, but I'll try absolutely anything within reason. No shellfish though. Shellfish remind me of bugs.

A well-oiled PC, patient friends, coffee, IPAs, a good view of the clouds, easy access to live music.

'How could I have stained a black T-shirt?'

Working late.

Spiders are terrifying.

... you're habitually up late.

... going to a gig (maybe being IN the gig) or maybe a soccer match/football game/hockey game and screaming your lungs out (at any/all) sound like fun.

... you can handle yourself at Tetris.

... you walk on escalators.

... you have never (or have at least eradicated all evidence of having) done the duckface ... in earnest or ironically.

... maybe you just want some lunch... I'm good with lunch. Let's get some lunch. I'll probably order breakfast.