It takes two to tango, a simple but vastly misunderstood element of life. Being 'real' with people is not the same thing as being rude, outspoken, close-minded or having a chip on your shoulder. Treat and speak to others the same as you would like to be treated and spoken to. Get over yourself. If you really want to connect with others then actually listen to what they have to say, instead of just thinking about what your response is going to be the entire time. Have compassion. Relax. Put yourself in others shoes, especially when it's the farthest viewpoint from your everyday reality. See both sides with open eyes and then read between the lines. As cliche as it sounds - massive change starts with ones own personal, conscious choice to do so and then a collective consciousness is reached and formed. Make up your own mind regardless of what anyone writes on their silly 'Plenty-of-fish' page. A sense of humor is key.

Some interests:
Lending a hand to others - whether it be a big or a small gesture, it usually makes a difference. Reading. Writing. Cinema. People. Change. Memories. Moments. Family. Food. Friends. Basketball. Golf. Skateboarding with friends - past, present and future.

Books -

Ask the Dust - by John Fante

Novels and short stories by authors such as - Bukowski, T.C. Boyle, Raymond Carver, Jim Krusoe, Graham Greene, Jerry Stahl, Tobias Wolff, Bret Easton Ellis and so on and so on...

Films -

The 25th Hour. Live Flesh. Match Point. Star Wars Trilogy. Slumdog Millionaire. Bukowski - Born Into This. Alien. Raging Bull. Office Space. Boogie Nights. Dead Zone. Runnin' Down a Dream. Swingers. Casino. Deerhunter. Road to Perdition. Magnolia. Before Night Falls. No Country for Old Men. BladeRunner. Sideways. The Lives of Others. 10 Items or Less. Shawshank Redemption. Cool Hand Luke. In the Mood for Love. Chungking Express. City of God. Less Than Zero. The Big Lebowski...

Music -

Dylan, Beck, Tom Petty, Sinatra, Thomas Newman, Philip Glass, Gangstarr, Cat Stevens, Paul Simon, Billy Holiday, Dean Martin, Radiohead, Feist, Band Of Horses, Peter Bjorn And John, Nightmares On Wax, Belle And Sebastian, Nirvana, Sam Cooke, Sly And The Family Stone, A Tribe Called Quest, Jeff Buckley, Dinosaur Jr., Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles and on and on..

Also:
Won a first place writing award last year for one of my short stories (fiction).

Quote:
Recognizing and holding onto whatever makes you feel truly alive will be those things that one excels at with heart, electricity and soul. - R. Ray