I am currently in Arezzo, Italy studying theatre. That is about 40 kilometers from Florence for those of you that don't know Arezzo. Which is most everybody. I am staying and studying at Villa Godiola. It is a 15th century villa that was the Bishop of Arezzo's home and where the Medici's sent there children for school. Oh, and it's owned by the Vatican. I am very lucky indeed.

Today (August 8, 2009) I somehow talked my girlfriend tadzia into joining OKCupid.

I just realized today(August 28, 2008) that I do not have my name in my profile. My name is Doug. I am pleased to meet you.

I am an actor studying at the University of Memphis. I have many friends and few enemies. My nature as a hippie causes me to love everyone, and in turn I am loved back, most of the time. My time is usually taken up by acting, rehearsal, my friends and very rarely homework. I can occasionally be found wandering around the UofM campus, but more often than not, I am in the lobby or greenroom of the theatre building. And if I am wandering around, I don't want to be found anyway. As much as I love being with lots of people I also love to be completely alone or with a few select people for a few hours at a time.I am interested in anything people know very little about. I am one of those guys that appears smart because of all the obscure knowledge I have, but in actuality I just like studying obscure things. I am actually enough of a nerd to like the random article button on Wikipedia.

I would like to think that I am more interesting than the average person, but that doesn't mean that I am. However, I find myself extraordinarily fascinating and if you give me the time you will probably think of me as (at the very least) amusing.

I like everybody in some way. Some people I just like more then others.

I am doing a show...somewhere. It seems that I always am.

I've lived in eight towns and cities. That's not enough.

I tell bad jokes. Very bad.

I cook. I just don't have the time.

I am thinking about thinning out my wardrobe.

Nature is thinning out my hair.

I still daydream at least once a day.

I get deja vu a lot.

No one knows all my secrets.

I don't really know all my siblings. This bothers me.

I am quickly losing contact with many good friends.

I ramble.

The direction of my life has yet to be chosen. Or is etched in stone. Either way, I don't know about it. Hopefully, I will attend grad school for a Master's in acting or directing. I really need to decide which soon, though I am leaning towards acting. More recently I have started leaning towards physical theatre. I have also thought of going as far as getting a doctorate in dramaturgy, but I doubt I will do that(mostly because I had a professor named Dr. Doug and he was a bitter old queen). I really want to spend several years acting wherever I am asked to be then settle down at a college or conservatory and teach. I am spending a semester in Italy studying commedia dell'arte, character mask, mime, clown and philosophy in Arezzo. I am thinking of attending their Master's of Physical Theatre program as well.

Acting and directing. I am respected by my peers, so I am able to hold their attention and have my opinion listened to. Most semesters I spend a day or two from my fall or spring break to teach at my high school. I love to listen to my friends. Most of my friends come to me with something they can not turn to others for. Although you should be warned now that my advice should come with a disclaimer. No one can give good advice all of the time.

Mask-making and stilt-walking. I started making masks in 2007 and have since found that I love it and that I am really good at it. I currently make papier mache masks, and recently I learned how to make them in latex. I really want to get into leather though. I started stilt-walking when I was thirteen. I will work for commission to make you a mask, or I can send you pictures of designs that I have and you can buy one of those.

I am usually well dressed. I prefer shirts with a collar, and I like to look nice. Of course, I still wear jeans and a t-shirt, but I take care not to wear a black belt with brown boots. I am one of the new generation of hippies, and the only man I know that will put on a skirt. Hey, sarongs are very comfortable.

My hair is usually quite long for a man's. However, being an actor, it gets cut every so often for a role. I even had to shave my head to play Adam in As You Like It.

A lot of times my first impression is made on stage. I have had people come up to me and ask me to do a voice that I did on stage or repeat an accent or line.

(A) Terry Pratchett's Discworld books. Everything from Shakespeare to Tolkien. I love some Anton Chekhov, Sarah Ruhl, Arthur Miller, Tom Stoppard, Harold Pinter, John Grisham (especially his non-law books), Hemingway (I like his short stories most), Tennessee Williams, the list goes on. Hell, those were mostly playwrights.

(B)I love all movies. I am a sucker for the classics. Black and white does not mean classic. And I cried when they shot Ol' Yeller(So did you). Some movies I have seen recently that I liked include "Ordinary People" "China Syndrome" and "Atonement" I would love to hear your favorites. I need to catch up on film.

(C)I am very eclectic in the music department. I love classic rock, the British Invasion, alternative rock, blues, jazz, and many punk bands as influential as the bands in the Invasion. Folk such as Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, Don McLean, Joan Baez, and Van Morrison. I am a big fan of protest songs and thus some protest bands including System of a Down, Woody Guthrie, the Beatles, the Who, and, again, Dylan. Musicians that revolutionized music are also important. The Rolling Stones and the Beatles. Johnny Cash, Elvis and Buddy Holly. Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, CCR, Bob Marley, Queen, The Doors, and many other groups of less importance and talent. I once got to see Jerry Lee Lewis and Aretha Franklin one after the other on the same stage.

(D)I like a bit of everything. Being in college my choices are usually limited to the beef or chicken ramen. However, if you let me into your kitchen I can almost guarantee you that you will be well fed. I make a mean chili, a braise that would make your grandma proud and a raspberry cheesecake that makes you want to get up and slap your momma (but I don't condone such behavior).

A God. That I would have to explain in more detail then I can possibly fit here.

Friends and Family. I consider my friends an extension of my family. I will go to great lengths to aid anyone that I love.

A Stage. I perform for the love of entertainment, art, and knowledge. Without somewhere to perform, I would not be able to live as I wish.

An Audience. What is the use of playing in the largest theatre when no one can take in the message.

Love. I wrap my life in it

People. I wrap my life around them.

Theology, acting, writing, friends, family. Where rent is coming from next month. Where I am going to grad school. Whether or not my masks can compete on the already established market. I could go on for ages. Sitting under my favorite magnolia tree and thinking is a past-time of mine.

Rehearsing, performing, or attending a cast party. Sometimes all three. I dive into enough projects at once that I leave myself no room but to expand my abilities or fail miserably. I've yet to fail miserably. (Altough I don't always grow as much as I would like.)

First, a little rant. Anyone notice that a lot of OKC users put either "I'm an open book, just ask" or "I'm not going to admit to anything here." Both of those answers bug the hell out of me. This is not what this heading is for. If you are an open book, go ahead and say so if you want to, but at least answer the question. And if you don't want to admit to that one time you did something naughty, admit to something simple. Maybe, "I forget to cut my toenails on a regular basis," is more up you alley.

Now for my lame admission.

I once striped for one of my best friend's girl friends. They are married now.

You need someone to talk to. I love a good long talk. If you live around Memphis (or Arezzo) and share one or some of my passions (see "things I spend time thinking about") I would love to talk with you.