I have lived in Chicago for the past 5 years before that I was doing graduate work in Southeast Asia and Living in Australia and South Africa. I just recently left a job managing the audio departments for two museums in the loop in order to go back to school for education. I love kids and would like to be part of the process to see all children have access to a good foundation in life.

I love art, movies, cooking, and swimming; and am happiest when engaged in one of these activities. I find that if I don't swim for more than a day or so I am irritable and stressed, it has a meditative, calming affect on me. Although I recently discovered running and I find that quite euphoric as well. For less active pursuits I love art of any kind, especially non-western. Two years ago, I set a ten year reading project for myself, to get through the 100 best books ever written. I chose three well respected lists (one pop culture, one academic, and one European) and amalgamated them to create my own 100 best list. It is slow going because every week I find another book I want to read, not on my list, and get side-tracked. Amazon loves me! I also love to cook and have taken cooking classes all over the world. My favourite food is French and if I could only eat good French cheese and ice cream for the rest of my life I would probably be okay with that. Finally, movies are another passion of mine, especially the international and independent one but I also love a cringlingly bad horror or adventure film. I am a closet sci-fi fan but I hide it well.

I am open to what I am looking for, I think if we set the parameters too narrow we miss out on a lot of great people. That said I would like to meet someone close to my own age, I think when people are in the same stage in their lives the opportunity for finding common ground is greater. My most important requirement would be integrity because I think it is the building block for everything we do in life, including relationships. It would be nice to meet someone that shares some of my common interests but I am not looking for my doppelganger.

However, if you decide to email me, please do so with grace and respect and do not use words like sexy, hottie, or baby I will not respond back.

First dates are hard, they should probably be coffee or a drink so if one or both of the parties are not feeling it, a polite but hasty retreat can be made. But if interest and chemistry have already been established then dinner at a great hole in the wall, drinks at the local pub, or cooking a great dinner in are all good options.