I don't like labels. Like am I straight or gay? How 'bout I just tell you I don't care much for boys as romantic objects, and leave it at that. Butch or Femme? Aren't we past these kind of archaic dichotomies, trying to shove people into one group or another? Let's just say that I haven't worn a skirt in several years, don't wear make-up, and have been known to occasionally throw on a tie. But I don't wear boys' clothes and my hair's not particularly short. So if you're looking for a girlie girl, I'm probably not the right one for you. And if you want a super butch woman (the kind that wears men's underwear--I don't wear any underwear, by the way), you should look elsewhere. If you're not that into labels and feel like giving gender norms a kick in the pants, then let's talk ;-)

I'm trying to build a reputation in Wichita as a personal trainer and triathlon/endurance sports coach. I work for a major local health club as multisport coordinator, aquatics instructor, personal trainer, and group fitness instructor. I love my job, and I'm hoping to make a solid career experience of it, especially since so much has come together for me in the few years I've been working there.

I also swim, bike, and run constantly. Last year, I started placing in local competitions and winning some medals. This year, I've placed in my age group at almost every event I've entered and have worked my way into the top ten overall (women, that is) thrice. I even made some money at a few cycling races, this year. I have ambitions of being a sponsored athlete, at some point. Not to where I could be a pro; just enough to say, "Yeah, I was sponsored back in my day."

Yoga is my most recent love. I enjoy the moving meditation of it, the concentration, the physical exhaustion and mental focus required to breathe through some truly odd physical poses. I've begun teaching yoga, although I haven't started an official yoga teacher training program yet. And I would really like to expand my knowledge of Sanskrit; because two obscure, scholarly (dead) languages (Ancient Greek and Latin) are simply not enough.

My ambition is to eventually return to grad school, get a PhD in English Literature, and draw future generations into the mazes of academia. But for now I'm enjoying instructing adults in the ways of fitness, and don't want to return to school anytime soon anyway.

I try to maintain at least a cursory connection to art-making; I have so little free time that the few hours I have at home tend to be spent in a vegetative state. But every now and then I lay awake at night with something unexpressed stirring in my brain. At this point, however, it's harder than ever to express those tenuous and loosely-defined night visions.

Swimming. Biking. And running. And transitions.

Yoga has come unbelievably naturally to me.

I'm a skilled teacher. I love to show people how to do things, and watch them become adept.

I've learned in my current job how to network and interact well with others, but I wouldn't call myself a people person.

I think I could be (have been/will be) a talented analytical writer. I enjoyed writing my senior thesis (on Paradise Lost, Virginia Woolf, and Milton's bogey), and my thesis advisor really liked it. I'm out of practice, but I still hope to do some more writing and possibly get published before I have to start applying to grad schools.

I wouldn't say I'm "really good" at it, but I write poetry and songs, and play guitar and piano. Used to be better, but don't make time for it.

My right eye is half blue, half brown. That's not the first thing you'll notice about me, but now you have an excuse to look deep into my eyes.

I love _Paradise Lost_. I also love Erma Bombeck (if you haven't read her, you need to). Recently I've been reading a lot of non-fiction related to my field (biomechanics, endurance sports, periodization, research articles about fitness and sport). And I like reading literary journal articles (that might be a little bit quirky). Tom Robbins is a great author; I think _Skinny Legs and All_ is my favorite. _Passing_ by Nella Larsen, because the first time I read it, I could relate to it completely (although I never followed through on the subconscious desire to hurt my love interest). _Ishmael_. _The Poisonwood Bible_. _Wicked_. Oh man, I could go on and on.

Movies aren't really my thing. I enjoy watching one every now and then, but more for the experience of being with people than for the actual movie. And I don't care much for movie theaters. I waste a lot of time watching Project Runway, Top Chef, The L Word, and Dexter, however.

I tend to go through phases (ahem, obsessions) with what kind of music I listen to. I just saw Wicked for the first time last week, and I have not been able to get the music out of my head. It's simultaneously expected and epic, sweeping and intimate. I'd forgotten that I actually (kind of) like musical theatre.

Over the long haul, I like Susheela Raman, Alisson Krauss, and any song that reminds me of Los Angeles.

Someone to love
Someone to talk with
Someone to help
Something to pursue
Something to challenge me
Somewhere to be safe

My training. Work. Moving from Kansas. Falling in love. Seducing married women. I used to think quite a bit about my spirituality, but I'm afraid that has moved out of the spotlight for the time being. I have great confidence that it will be back, and with greater depth and enlightenment. I'm just waiting for a reason to try again.

Howling at the moon.

I secretly fear I'm losing my intellectual and artistic edge by constantly being in a muscle-head environment. Not that everyone at the gym is stupid, or anything; it's just not generally an environment that encourages or rewards deep and meaningful conversation. I'm afraid I'm turning into a dumb jock.

Also, pictures taken in a mirror or of yourself (while trying to look all nonchalant and edgy) totally annoy me. If you're going to take a picture of yourself, take one of your feet or something.

. . . you're looking for trouble ;-)