I believe in constant variety and cultivating hidden talents. I am sociable and solitary by turns. I love a good book but I don't walk around with my nose stuffed into one at all times. Only sometimes. I like to stay at least respectably on top of current events. I love to be outside. I love to challenge stereotypes, and I don't like snobbery.

I'm gainfully employed and maintain a professional, gracious attitude, but I also like beer, video games, attempting feats of strength, swearing, and getting dirty. Basically, I like to take people by surprise.

professionally: I work as the music librarian for a non-profit arts institution. I work long, weird hours but I love my job.

personally: running (anything from 200m to marathons), riding my horse, learning new languages (or wanting to, at least), eating more candy than I should, hiking, or laying decadently in bed.

beating you at arm wrestling, tetris, being upside down, baking pies, telling stories, spelling, eating pizza.

is how freaking awesome I am. just kidding. mostly. I have no idea what the real answer to this question is.

Books I have loved: James Agee's A Death in the Family; Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha; poetry by Donald Hall, Sharon Olds, Stephen Dunn, Philip Larkin, among others. Lifelong favorites include Nabokov's Lolita, C.S. Lewis's Till We Have Faces, Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and anything by Michael Chabon. Love Harry Potter; hate Twilight.

Movies? Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind; Amelie; The Italian Job; both Willy Wonka and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. As sexed out as it was, I totally loved Shortbus, and I'll admit to finding Superbad absolutely hilarious.

Music: I've always been behind the curve on popular music, but I'm fond of an eclectic mix: The Decemberists, Regina Spektor, Ani Difranco, Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, Liz Phair, Dar Williams. I love live classical music and though I wish I loved jazz, I can't get into it.

As for food, I will eat pretty much anything you put in front of me. I particularly like the idea of adventurous eating, but I do draw the line at things that are still wriggling or in any way alive. I've eaten grasshopper more than once this year.

coffee, physical activity, writing, reading, breakfast, and solitude.

how to cram more information in my head.

probably in rehearsal. Or drinking whiskey at some SE bar. Or playing board games in my pajamas with friends.

I was my high school's mascot.

you wanna race me. Or challenge me to an impromptu spelling bee. Or whatever.