u/currough

Hello! I'm currough (he/they). I'm a queer masc-of-center person living in central Colorado. I don't have a good handle on my own gender identity at the moment, but I'm interested in folks of all genders.

I have a hard time describing myself because I tend to not care much about labelling myself, and describing myself just in terms of the things I like to do always feels superficial. But regardless, here are some aspects of my identity that are important to me, in no particular order:

* I am a teacher and a scientist. I teach computer science; I used to do research in machine learning but am currently sticking to other kinds of research because I don't think AI is ethical.

* I tend to be a lot of people's emotional support person. This is a pattern that shows up in my friendships, family relationships, professional life, and romantic relationships. Folks describe me as calm, reassuring, and safe. I'm good at processing and articulating my own emotions, and I'm good at helping people work through their own emotions.

* I'm consistent and dependable in my personal life, maybe to a fault, but also have a high-workload, high-stress job.

* I have really high standards for myself, but I try not to be a dick to others about it. I'm working through my self-perfectionism in therapy.

* I'm a woodworker; I like to make wooden bowls, art objects, and (rarely) furniture. I like exchanging art with friends. I get a lot of use out of my laser cutter and my lathe.

* I like making things in general. Ask me about my drawing machine! I love to tinker and teach myself new skills. I have a lockpick set and embroidery kit that I bring to faculty meetings to give my hands something to do.

* I'm a martial artist; I've been doing aikido for 20 years and have a 2nd-degree black belt.

* I'm queer and (maybe?) nonbinary. Gender is something I've always had ambiguous feelings about. Currently I present fairly masc, and most people would look at me and see "cis dude". But that may change in the near future.

* I meet a lot of the diagnostic criteria for AuDHD. I'm pretty high-masking, especially since my job requires a lot of social interaction.

* I'm left of left. Social justice and progressive causes are extremely important to me. I don't think we'll get along if you're someone who describes yourself as "apolitical" or conservative. Black and trans lives matter, Free Palestine, and destroy your local data center.

* I like to cook, I like beer and whiskey and the occasional joint. But I don't really like the feeling of being intoxicated so I tend to enjoy these things in moderation. I'm vegetarian but usually willing to bend the rules for rare occasions (like if I'm traveling, for instance).

* I like a lot of typical nerdy stuff like video games, anime, d&d (mostly d&d podcasts), Dropout, board games.

* I really enjoy reading and try to make it a point to read often. My current tastes in literature are a lot of speculative fiction and weird lit, but I've been trying to branch out into more nonfiction. Currently I am reading Leech by Hiram Ennis, and The Palestine Laboratory by Anthony Lowenstein. My favorite book of the last couple years would probably be Tchaikovsky's Shroud.

* If this ends up being relevant, I'm switchy and vers (fulfilling the bi poly stereotype of being unable to make a single decision). I love rope play!

* Physically: I'm 6'3", 240lbs, "bear" archetype. I would describe my body type as muscular but thicc; I train at aikido 5ish days a week and lift weights outside of that but I also really like food. I have short brown hair, a beard that I keep trimmed, brown eyes, and several tattoos and piercings (and want to get more of both). I have a lot of body hair! I'm happy to send pictures of myself after we have talked for a bit and there's some trust there.

I have several partners, including a spouse whom I live with. No one has veto power over any of my relationships and it's important to me that everyone feels fulfilled and welcome in any relationship structure I'm a part of. I've been actively polyamorous for 10ish years and have a lot of experience navigating poly-feels.

What I'm looking for:

I am mostly looking for friends and good conversational partners at the moment, with the potential for more. I'm not necessarily looking with the idea to meet more partners but I'm open to it if the feelings are there and mutual. Flirting is fun but I tend to prefer that chats not be really sexual right out the gate; again, that's something that I need to build trust about first. But I'd love to find folks with whom I can send long or short messages throughout the day, or exchange dumb memes, and get to know each other. I'm looking for people who I can be silly with, and don't have to mask, and can be weird little nerdfreaks at each other. I'm looking for mutual emotional support and listening, once we've gotten to know each other. Always down to get coffee or a beer with folks who are local!

If you think we'd get along , please send a DM!