Nobody offered Renaissance Woman as a major, so I went to art school instead. Realizing how much I like learning changed my life completely.

I grew up with a lot of science, engineering and teaching in the family; I think the combination fostered creativity, tenacity, empathy and a sense of quiet confidence.

My family and family-by-choice are very important to me. They bring out the best in me, and I'm madly in love with my nephew. But if you lack compassion for people, we really have very little to talk about.

INTJ, if you're into that sort of thing.

I love, love, love my job. We don't do glamorous work but it's satisfying and totally worth it for the fun we have. The rest of my time is divided among domestic life, unfinished projects, community theater (set design), and friends.

I do my best to live honestly, make new things and tinker with existing ones. I like learning things, admit when I'm out of my depth and try to lessen the suffering of others.

Oh, and finding the better problem to have and resolving ambiguity. Great stories about those...

I'm blunt. (Seriously, fellas, your sexuality does not entitle you to ignore boundaries. Disrespect is a deal breaker.) And oddly optimistic.

I'm bringing back saddle shoes.

Everything I really need to know is from Catch-22. Shakespeare's pretty good.

Mom taught me a lot of science in the kitchen, so cooking is just like building anything else. You learn principles and take parts and put them together. Now I think things like, "would this go with whiskey?" And, "can I make a pie out of that?"

De facto resident alchemist: I run the house laboratory.

And, if it's any indication, my pin ups at work include Neil Degrasse Tyson, Bobak Ferdowsi, Daryl Dixon and The Hound. My life might not be what anyone expects, but at least it's not boring...

Reason and storytelling.

I'm flexible on the rest.

"Wouldn't it be awesome if..."
"I have to know...!"
"But why...?"
[gleefully] "This is a terrible idea...!"

[Foo.]

I occasionally listen to Morrissey by choice.

Well, if you don't, you're definitely not going to find out.

And here are some silly things I like:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrdEMERq8MA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFISeJ1N5CQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4IC7qaNr7I