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| I have what is known as an "INTJ" personality type, according to Myers-Briggs. I agree with the scale strongly on the N, T, and J parts, but only moderately on the I (introvert). I was painfully shy and timid as a child, but over the years have learned to become more outgoing. I love being around people I know, even in groups, but am a bit hesitant with groups of strangers and tend to have difficulty making "small talk." Nonetheless, I have definitely become more extroverted as I have gotten older. Some other personal characteristics: I am more of a morning person than a night person. I prefer living in a major city. While I respect rural people, I could not myself live in a rural area. I do have trouble understanding and respecting a certain type of suburban lifestyle, though to each his own. I love animals and especially dogs (see link from my home page). I think of myself as an honest person, and dislike hyprocrisy and shallowness. My biggest fear in life is severe physical pain and/or immobility. I do not fear death. I was raised as a Jew, but around age 25 or so I decided I could not honestly feel that I believed in a deity nor in any form of transfiguration after death, so I now consider myself an atheist. This decision had nothing to do with being gay, but I do dislike the way most religions treat gay people. I don't denigrate the essential doctrines of any religion, but I detest fundamentalism in all forms as well as the inability to separate the spiritual being from the physical one. Sexually, I am versatile. I used to be primarily a top, but physical and emotional changes have made me more bottom-interested as I aged. I can also be a bit kinky. I'll be glad to tell you more in detail when I hear from you. Paul and I like to play as a couple but are nut interested in any permanent menage arrangement. As far as physical attraction goes, we're open to a variety of types. I typically don't fall for guys more than fifteen years older than me. Also, morbid obesity or anorexic thinness are turn-offs. Other than that, it is very much an issue of individual chemistry. I am also a person of fairly well defined tastes. Here, it would probably be best to describe what I like rather than what I don't like, so I've done that below: Colors: jewel tones, earth tones, shades of gray Sculpture and Painting: renaissance, Dutch Masters, baroque, Hudson River School, German Expressionist, and Japanese prints. Favorite artists include Caravaggio, Poussin, Steen, Ruisdael, Cole, Church, Durand and Hasui. Literature: Like American over British. On the less highbrow side, I like weird fiction, especially H. P. Lovecraft and Anne Rice. Music: Outside of classical, I like traditional folk, show music prior to 1970, international, and klezmer. Some favorite non-classical artists include Jean Redpath, Loreena McKennitt, The Klezmatics, and Muzsikas. Food: Italian, Chinese, Thai, Indian, seafood. Favorite foods -- now limited in scope due to diabetes -- include fresh tuna, shellfish, raspberries, and chocolate (sugar free, now). Some favorite restaurants here in Chicago include Via Veneto, Opart Thai, Shaw's Crab House (for a special treat), Tiffin India, and New China Cafe for Dim Sum. Places: See my travel link. Architecture: Love Louis Sullivan, F. L. Wright and Prairie School. I also like historical styles, especially the more decorative such as French Gothic and baroque. Surroundings: Like eclectic style with a contemporary flair. Not into sterile or barren environments on the one hand, but don't like anything "fufu" on the other. I like to stamp my personality on my surroundings. Clothing: Comfort is the key word. I do not care for formal or business attire and as my job does not require it, I rarely wear it. On the other hand I don't wears jeans as much as some people do -- I find chinos and corduroys more comfortable. As I refuse to iron, I tend to chose knit and flannel shirts for myself, or woven ones that are wrinkle-free. Furniture and surroundings "turn me on" much more than clothing. Cars: I currently drive a Toyota Camry because it runs well and has a good reputation. I am not interested in cars either for status or as a hobby, but I do like car travel and enjoy owning one. |