Despite my offbeat sense of humor, I'm a pretty serious person. I like to laugh and joke and have a good time -- these things are tremendous stress relievers -- but I'm still extremely dedicated to advancing my career: I'm applying to grad school in the hope of earning a PhD in Literature. I guess you could say my long-term goals and personal convictions are enlivened rather than diminished by my playfulness (I'm known for having a quick wit). I try to keep them in balance.

I'm about 5'8" and of average/thin build. My hair's brown, my eyes are blue. I work out enough to stay in shape, but not enough to be a rippled body builder or anything. I consider myself a pretty romantic, attentive guy. Although I'm initially shy, I become more personable as I adjust to a social situation. Some of my best qualities include compassion/empathy, integrity, and honesty. I'm what you'd consider a "nice" guy. Is that a good or bad thing? I guess that depends on your perspective.

Perhaps the thing I enjoy doing most is cultivating knowledge: I am a lifelong learner. Obviously I'm a Literature geek. I think Paradise Lost is a poetic orgasmatron, lol. My favorite fiction books include Infinite Jest, The Brothers Karamazov, Mason & Dixon, One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, The Things They Carried, Jesus' Son, The Palace Thief, and many more.

My favorite kind of music is experimental rock/metal. Bands like Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Devin Townsend, In the Woods..., maudlin of the Well, Arcturus -- a lot of obscure stuff, actually. I'm fond of alternative rock and classic rock: Soundgarden, Temple of the Dog, Black Crowes, King Crimon, Guns N Roses, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Stone Temple Pilots, etc. I also really enjoy going to classical music concerts.

As for movies, I like Oscar movie season. Last year had some good ones: Frost/Nixon, Doubt, The Wrestler. My favorite is The Big Lebowski. I also love the original Star Wars movies. Yeah, I'm something of a geek. I don't watch much TV, but when I do, I like The Daily Show, Colbert Report, Scrubs, and Battlestar Galactica.

I like to try new things, from ethnic restaurants and coffee shops, to museums and art galleries. I'm up for trying almost anything, really. There's a lot out there to experience!

I'm looking for a cute, intelligent woman with ambition and a sense of humor (geekiness is a plus). Someone I can take to dinner or concerts or plays. Someone to curl up with and share a bottle of wine and watch a good (or bad) movie. Someone, in short, to share new experiences with me.

A first date should be about engaging the other person; it should be an active, not a passive, thing. This could involve a wide array of activities, from simply getting coffee or drinks to going to the Art Museum or the City Museum. Perhaps the Botanical Garden on a nice day. Sometime I'd like to check out the Butterfly House. A first date should be something active, not passive; so no movies on the first date.