[A friend looked at my profile and gave me some advice. Instead of changing the whole thing, I'm going to add her comments throughout in brackets and italics. First, the user name: the day I made the profile, I got up way too early on a hungover Saturday, and all my witty attempts were taken. 13 is my favorite number. No, I have not been in 13 disastrous relationships or anything like that.]

Relatively new to Oregon; I've been here just over a year.

I was born and raised in Wisconsin, moved to Alaska to get my Master's Degree in English, stayed for a while until I no longer wanted to be cold ever again, went overseas to teach English for a couple years, and now I'm back in the states. For the reasonably foreseeable future.

I tend to live a fairly quiet life, punctuated by occasional bursts of exuberance.

I like to be outdoors, try new foods, and just sit and chat. I have a Master's Degree in Poetry, but I need to start writing again. I used to teach literature, but I need to start reading again. I've been away from the snow for too long and need to start snowboarding again. Fortunately, these are curable problems.

Currently, I have the flexibility of working from home and setting my own hours. I work for a company that provides services to nonprofit organizations.

[Yes, it's a real job and I get a real paycheck.]

Also, recently, http://thebeerpage.com/. Check it out and feel free to give us an fb like.

I love trivia. I'm good at knowing useless facts.

I have no idea. I've never asked anyone this question about myself. I have been told I have a very recognizable walk.

[My friend said that I should point out that I am not "gimpy," as one message asked. I just don't swivel my hips much.]

Books: "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien, "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison, "Atonement" by Ian McEwan, "The Brothers K" by David James Duncan, "The Rings of Saturn" by W.G. Sebald, "In Patagonia" by Bruce Chatwin, "Lives of the Animals" by Robert Wrigley.

TV: "Lost," "How I Met Your Mother," "Chuck," "The Office"; I just finished plowing through the first four seasons of "Mad Men."

Movies: I have a soft spot for stupid comedies, otherwise some favorites are "The Big Lebowski" and "Tombstone."

Food: I'll try anything once (this includes cobra, ants, and calf testicles, which have all found their way into my mouth in the past), but I have an affinity for southeast Asian cuisine, as well as anything with cheese on it (grew up on a dairy farm). I like making risotto and homemade pizza.

Family and friends and, um, a sense of wonder? (Cf. Louis C.K.'s bit about planes and technology.) Other than that, I'm pretty much a minimalist.

However, I lasted a year+ without acceptable cheese, and I'd prefer not to do that again. Coffee and beer make my days somewhat more enjoyable.

Oh, and running water is nice. Did without that for a while, too, and probably don't want to go that route again.

Comma splices. Or the lack thereof. Seriously.

I have no sense of smell. I've been told that this trait is shared by several serial killers.

[My friend said I shouldn't mention serial killers. Even though I'm not one, I shouldn't even put that idea in anyone's head.]

I've also had a couple disasters involving pits. (Not the arm kind, the hole in the ground kind.)

And I sometimes read magazines from back to front. I probably read your profile from bottom to top.

you were interested by something in my profile. Don't worry, I don't bite.

[Lastly, my friend said that there is nothing interesting in my profile that would make someone want to message me. I don't think that's true, but I'll let you be the judge.]