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E-mail:IntrospectionPraxis@hotmail.com

 
Personality
 
People often have difficulty describing what they are like to others, I'm no exception. I've found that a lot of my difficulty comes from the simple fact that different people see different sides of me depending on my relationship with them. Fortunately I've found a way to give people some idea of what I'm like. I've always been fascinated by Psychology and I think if I weren't a computer geek by trade, I'd probably go into Psychology. A while back I stumbled over the Myers-Briggs Personality Test and discovered that the category I fall into on that (INTJ) describes me pretty damn well. Some sites with a description of INTJ are here or there. If you're curious and want to take the test, you can try Humanmetrics or SimilarMinds.
 
Hobbies
 
I read quite a bit and collect books. I tend to lean towards Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy, but I don't limit myself to that. I also read classics and philosophy when I'm in the mood. In addition to that I am also reading a number of books on Real Estate Investing and Landlording as I own a small real estate company in NJ and I am in the process of starting a second one in Pennsylvania. No matter how much know, and there is always more to learn. Lately I've also developed a fascination for books like this and this this. They are an interesting way to learn about yourself and your friends.

My taste in music is pretty eclectic. Some artists/bands I like are: Annie Lennox, Balligomingo, Billy Joel, Concrete Blonde, Delerium, Dido, Enigma, Enya, Eurythmics, Evanescence, Fleetwood Mac, George Winston, Jewel, Judith Owen, k.d. lang, Kate Bush, Moody Blues, Morcheeba, Norah Jones, Portishead, Sarah Brightman, Sarah McLachlan, Save Ferris, Shakira, Sheryl Crow, Smash Mouth, and Tori Amos. As a rule I tend to like artists and groups with strong female vocals. I'll listen to most pop (late 50's though today) but I have a soft spot in my heart for the 80s since I grew up with it. I absolutely loathe Rap. In the last year I've been drawn to the idea of exploring indie artists and buying as directly as possible from the good ones to support their work. I've been mostly using CD Baby to do that.

I know it isn't a popular thing to be, but the truth is I am a technophile. This means that my job is also a hobby. I love what I do, and I'd probably do it whether I got paid for it or not. So I have a strong interest in Science, Computers (and yes, as a natural extension, computer games).

I have a strong interest in Travel. To date I've travelled a fair amount within the US, but have a lot more I'd like to see, especially New Orleans, more of the rockies, Alaska, and the pacific northwest. I've also been to Germany, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Singapore, South Africa, Lesotho, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, Ecuador (including the Galapagos), and of course all over Australia. In the longer term, Thailand, India, Spain, Greece, Scandanavia, Iceland, Nepal, Mexico, Costa Rica, and many countries in South America are on my list of places to visit.

I don't like doing the typically touristy stuff though and tend to head off the beaten track. Overnight trips involving backpacking, horseback riding, or rafting/kayaking, tend to draw me. I don't really need to, but I like to stay in Hostels because they are fun.
 
Sports
 
As far as sports go, I don't have much interest in spectator sports and don't tend to follow them at all. I like to do things rather than watch them. Sports I've done lately and/or do regularly are: Horseback Riding, Hiking/Backpacking, Swimming, Cycling, Skiing, Rafting, Canoeing, Kayaking, and Scuba Diving. I also recently became a certified private pilot and I am working on practicing flying. Sports I've done a lot in the past but not much recently: Karate (Tae Kwon Do), Skydiving, Live Action Roleplaying (Laire & Nero). For the future, I'm thinking of trying hang gliding.
 
Other Random Stuff
  • I like animals, especially dogs and horses.
  • I love the outdoors particularly during Autumn.
  • I'm generally up for any intelligent conversation & debate. There are no taboo topics or points of view.
  • I like wine (as opposed to beer) and I am working on developing a competent palate.
  • I'd go for a quiet comfortable pub and a fascinating conversation over a fast paced wild night at a dance club.
  • I laugh a lot, and I am frequently "the comic relief" in a given group of people.
  • I am pretty happy with my life and comfortable with myself. I don't have 'issues', and I am not fleeing any kind of bad prior relationship.
 
 
What I am looking for
 
In a word: Friends. As a single professional, opportunities to make new friends are limited. There is so much to see & do in life and I am looking for people to experience it with.

What about romance? Well, as I said above I am single and unattached so I am open to romance if it finds me. A relationship would be nice but I am not really looking to meet people for the sole purpose of trying to find a love interest. I've noticed that with a few exceptions, what I am looking for in a friend is the same thing as what I am looking for in a lover, so why not try to make some friends and let love happen or not as it will. As near as I can tell, love happens on its own and pushing things doesn't help anyway.

So what kinds of qualities have I found that I've liked in my friends?

  • I like people who can laugh at themselves. I laugh at myself all the time and I think that having a sense of perspective that allows one to do this is important to a happy life.
  • I like people who are somewhat sarcastic and cynical, but who also know when to abandon their cynicism and just enjoy things.
  • I like curious people. I am one of the most curious people I know and I get impatient with people who feel the need to put on an air of jaded sophistication. Life always has something new to offer so there is no sense in pretending that you've already been there, done that, and bought the T-Shirt.
  • I like intelligent people, because when I am around them I learn things and find out where I'm wrong. You'll often find me smiling when someone convinces me I'm wrong.
  • I like people who aren't caught up in appearances. I'm a relaxed jeans -n- t-shirt kind of guy, and I'm most comfortable others who are as well.
  • I like adventurous people. I love trying new kinds of food, or doing something I've never done before. A lot of people say: "I'll try anything once", but when I say it, I really mean it.
  • I like people who can be completely honest, because while honesty may sting sometimes, it hurts less than betrayed trust. I don't lie to my friends and I give them as much of the truth as they want. If you have to lie to a friend are they really someone you should be friends with?
  • I like people with direction. My destination may change from time to time, but I almost always know where I am going.
  • I like practical people. Some of my friends have observed that I tend to decide first and then do a thing, rather than just doing it and hoping it will work out right. I can relax around sensible people and I prefer to leave the passionate tragic ones for someone else to sort out.

To sum things up, I like people I can respect. So be smart, be strong, be opinionated, and you'll be respected for it.