An Unconventional Introduction

I’ve always found self-descriptions a little awkward and inaccurate. Though I’ve been an earshot away from more self-righteous illustrations of character than I’d like to count, it seems for the most part that people really sell themselves short. It’s not that I don’t think people capture themselves in the proper light, but most often, they leave out what I like to call, “the goods.” Naturally, and most likely because we’re hard-wired to do so, we give a sort of Reader’s Digest version and try to summarize decades of development into a few colorful sentences. I’ve never been satisfied with this.

I’m surrounded by incredible people, and I think if you asked them for a descriptions – you’d get your standard, run-of-the-mill group of young adults: recent college grad working for her alma mater, football-player turned coach, horse-rider struggling to pay the bills, receptionist in a big city, small business owner, graduate student, lab researcher recently re-located, nice-guy guitar player cherishing each day in a new city, etc.

But I’ve always been fascinated with how these depictions are altered when taken out of the first-person. To me, my friends are:

- A levelheaded listener, with a never-ending source of applicable advice ready to be drawn upon. Always up-to-date on which A-listers are caput and which websites donate goods to needy children with every click of the mouse.

- A passionate, opinionated and generous man working hard to fulfill his dream and civic duty. Uniquely romantic under a rugged exterior. If there were a less obnoxious and cliché term for “teddy bear,” I’d use it.

- A witty realist, sometimes begrudgingly considered “one of the guys,” with more stories than anybody else in the area code. Extremely random and fervently pursuing (whether physically or mentally) her “soul-mate.

- A beautiful, educated, conservative college-grad looking for the next step. A head-turner, but not in the “she-knows-she’s-gorgeous-and-I-find-it-highly-irritating” kind of way.

- A well-dressed, large-truck driving, man’s man interested in most girls that look his direction. Respectful, extremely hard-working, and equipped with an ample amount of “street smarts.”

- A vibrant, well-off, soon-to-be Doctor from Long Island. Tiny, and as bouncy as the curls on her head. Independent and driven, and a sucker for Sex and the City reruns and retail therapy.

- An unbelievably kind soul, never without a smile, and always up for an adventure. Brilliant lab researcher and incredible girlfriend (soon-to-be fiancé, financial circumstances pending).

- A creative, fun-loving, dependable friend who excels in just about everything he does. Well-versed in the challenges life presents and eager to learn the lessons they contain.

I feel as though as a reader, you’re looking for some sort of description of the author, for one of many reasons. Maybe you just want to understand the perspective I’m writing from. Maybe you are just shamelessly curious and want a picture. Maybe you relate to what I write and are wondering how far the similarities extend. Or, maybe you really don’t care.

I’ll put myself in your shoes here – assuming you’d like at least a little bit of “the goods.” Here’s what I’ve got to offer:

- A college-educated female in my early twenties.

- A resident of a place that has a stereotype of women my age I’d like to renegotiate.

- A feather ruffler, and

- A lover – in every sense of the word.

That should suffice, for now at least.