I don't really present myself as atypical. I don't dress strangely, I don't behave strangely. But if you speak with me for more than a few minutes, you will immediately notice the difference.

I don't tend to be outgoing, although I can be quite affable. I don't tend to be ambitious, but I am always certain about what I want in and out of life. I'm not exciting or adventurous or hilarious. I'm just a guy who happens to do a lot of thinking. Thinking is fun! I highly recommend it.

This site suggests that I talk about my hobbies, my aspirations, what makes me unique and my taste in music. Somehow this is supposed to result in a "successful" profile. However, I don't think that would be an adequate introduction to who I am. Let me tell you why!

What is a "hobby"? I don't have hobbies, I have interests. Moreover, I do not "have" interests; interests have me, independent of my so choosing. I can open myself up in order to allow a greater range of things to become interesting to me; but it is never the things themselves that are transformed. In actuality, all things are interesting in and of themselves. It is only a question of whether we are willing to let them speak to us, and thereby, speak through us.

What is an "aspiration"? That sounds like some bullsh*t you put on your college application. I'm not applying for a job here. I do my best to embrace the path that life itself has provided for me. Just as a lawyer tries to interpret the spirit of the law, so too do I try to discern the path that the world intends for me to follow.

What does "being unique" mean? We're all inevitably unique, whether we like it or not. It is not difficult to be unique; instead, I try to be true to myself. I strive to embrace my own original existence and fulfill it in an appropriately original way. To speak in the language of Zen Buddhism, life is a river. The fountainhead of the river of life is always your own birth, which is the origin of your existence. You cannot change the course of the river; that is out of your control. Instead, I try to master navigating the river which is my life; appreciating it always, whether it is tranquil or turbulent, since it is that river which provides my life with meaning.

[On a more speculative front: although the river comes from nothing, it does not return to the very same nothing. From the heights of the mountains it is born as the smallest trickle; when it has come down from the heights it becomes a raging torrent; and when the river is no more, it becomes one with the sea. Perhaps it is the same with the river of life. We may come from nothing; and from nothing, proceed to become something; and from something, transcend to be embraced by one everything. But I digress.]

Lastly, what the hell does my taste in music say about me? I am disgusted by the fact that many define themselves by the music that they listen to. In this context, music seems about as meaningful as the clothes you wear or the people you are seen with. But if we remain faithful to the spirit of music, music is permitted to fulfill its purpose through us. Music is not for us to hear; we are here to hear music, and to be moved by it from within.

Depends on what you like and who you are. Since it is about establishing an acquainted-ness with one another, I like going places where people speak freely. A museum, a picnic, a nice restaurant, a casual coffee-type place or bookstore, a long drive from nowhere to nowhere. The possibilities are endless.