I'm a relatively easy going guy who recently moved out to Portland from northern Minnesota via Montana.

I grew up in northern Minnesota. For those not familiar with this fabulous part of the country, the movie "Fargo" is disturbingly accurate (minus the kidnapping and multiple homicides). People are polite to a fault and options for spicy food include "mild" and "milder." Garrison Kiellor is, well, just awesome.

I spent a brief stint living in the northernmost regions of Maine (there are, shockingly, no movies that describe this part of the country, accurately or otherwise).

After graduating from college, I moved out west to Montana for grad school. I truly loved life in the mountains there and was sad to leave, but life brought me further west. And so here I am in Portland, getting used to the fact that it rains in January.

I am equal parts Norwegian and Dane. I identify strongly with my homeland. I think Volvos are the bees knees (even though they are Swedish).

Medical school dictates my life. I am trying, as a New Year's Resolution, to see more of this fantastic city that I live in. I keep hearing rumors that there are great bars, cafes, and other cultural outlets here. I choose to trust, but verify. Do you know any good ones?

I'm going into medicine, in part, because I am unhappy with the current culture of health care in the USA. It seems to me that health care is currently run as a business--am I the only one that thinks this is crazy? I believe strongly that healthcare should be a right. For everybody. Even Swedes.

*folding laundry
*day dreaming
*sharpening pencils
*waxing cross country skis
*setting tables
*assembling IKEA furniture
*wearing wool sweaters

My particular style of dress (I'm told I dress like and old man--cardigan sweaters and such)

Forrest Gump, Princess Bride, Indiana Jones (any flavor minus the latest installment), Star Wars (see I.J. comment), Lord of the Rings

I use Star Trek: the Next Generation as a benchmark for television show quality. This, I can assure you, is an incredibly high standard.

Catcher in the Rye, 1984, any and all Tolkien, Ibsen. I have aspirations of becoming a Hamsun fan, although this hasn't happened yet (one can dream).

ABBA is clearly the greatest band of all time--we can start there. Otherwise, my musical tastes are seemingly varied.
Mozart & Beethoven? Naturally.
Beatles & Fleetwood Mac? These are a must.
Violent Femmes & Eric Clapton? Most definitely!
Madonna & Michael Jackson? Absolute genius, both of them.
Ke$ha? OH GOD YES PLEASE.

I have fallen in love with Indian food and Ethiopian food since moving to Portland. Otherwise, as a Scandinavian, I have a great passion for preserved fish and feel as though I am one of a chosen few that can see the beauty in boiled potatoes.

A strong cup of coffee
NPR (translate=Garrison Kiellor)
Red wine
Music
A relatively close source of snow

*My immediate future (school) and what direction my life is going

*Skiing

*Free time

often studying, but wishing I was out exploring Portland.

The better question might be what an ideal Friday night looks like:

A bottle of red wine, a well-prepared meal (and a well-set table), a gathering of close friends, and a whole lot of silliness.

*you find Scandinavian politics appealing
*you identify with "Minnesota Nice"