My most formative experiences came as an American Boychoir choirboy, living in a Princeton mansion, singing music of different genres a few hours a day in various languages, touring a total of twelve weeks out of the school year, performing at the White House, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and with Bob Hope and Bill Cosby, Bob Hope beaming when we gave him a “#1 Choirboy” tee, and Bill Cosby being ornery upon being woken up from a nap...other experiential snapshots: having my feet warmed through my shoes by an active Icelandic lava field; eating poisonous blowfish sushi in Japan; volunteering for three weeks in Thailand to help build an elementary school; being an after-school counselor at the Mt. Hope Family Center in Rochester, N.Y., which does nationally recognized work with at-risk children; and volunteering as a Compeer, a friend to a mental health outpatient (in my case, John, a paranoid schizophrenic, who became a dear friend and who has taught me more about life than almost anyone else). Here's a thumbnail sketch of my personality, according to a Myers-Brigg test I recently took: INFP (Introvert, Intuitive, Feeler, Perceiver) People of this type tend to be: quiet, reserved, and kind; deeply passionate, sensitive, and easily hurt; loving and dedicated to those close to them; creative, original, and imaginative; curious and flexible in small matters; nonconforming. The most important thing to INFPs is their deeply held beliefs and living in harmony with their values. How to Spot INFPs: idealistic with deep yet private passions, creative and imaginative, initially hesitant and cautious,

original, even funky dressers. Tips for Communicating with INFPs: Share genuine beliefs and values to establish rapport.

Respect their slower warm time and need for privacy.

Emphasize the ways ideas will benefit others. That's me in a nutshell. Though I'm allergic to nuts. BaDUM, bum. I appreciate you for reading this far. Tell me: what makes you tick?