Although I make my living playing on/with computers, during my off-time I rarely touch the things (which is why this site needs so much work!). Some activities I do enjoy doing include swimming, playing Marco Polo (fish outta water?), biking (the fun way to commute), long walks (another fun commute/exercise alternative), hiking (natural or urban), backpacking, weight lifting, celtic dancing & music, SCUBA diving, traveling (especially internationally) and learning new languages (my current passion: German, which despite my summer in Stuttgart still needs work). Next year, I'm hoping to take some rock-climbing and rappeling classes, start upper division Deutsch and maybe pick up the basics of another language as well (I've narrowed it down to Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Russian, Chinese or Japanese 8-). And, while I never really got into hang gliding, I'm still interested in trying out bungee jumping and sky diving.
On the more quiet side, I enjoy science fiction and fantasy. My favorite authors include Roger Zelazny, Robert Heinlein, Brian Daley, Elaine Cunningham, R.A. Salvatore and C.S. Lewis (not much time for reading lately). I'm really into mythology and folklore of all sorts. My love of fantasy includes playing Dungeons and Dragons although my friends and I play a heavily modified version. As for science fiction, I'm a pretty avid Trekkie/er/ar/arum/is/as/is. I'm also interested in Star Wars, Space 1999, Battlestar Galactica, etc. Obviously, I'm a big Disney fan -- my favorite movie is either Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast. My musical tastes run a range from Hootie and the Blowfish, Counting Crows, Sting, Indigo Girls, Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs to Rush, Asia and even some Metallica to traditional and modern celtic folk music. I like thought-provoking and/or interesting movies (the last one I can think of being Contact) and conversations. I have fun really getting to know people -- whether friends or folks from another culture or viewpoint. I like figuring out what makes things tick -- both mechanically and psychologically. I enjoy a good debate, am philosophical and introspective.
Lesee, what else?
My interests in language and travelling really changed my life. Although my "real major" in college was Mathematics/Computer Science, I also picked up a French degree. In the process, I took German, Latin, Japanese, Sign Language, some Russian and a bit of Italian (only 4 classes -- never take Italian-1 and Japanese-1 back-to-back; you'll go crazy!). I also understand a little Flemish (Dutch) from my stay in Belgium and a little Spanish from my junior high school/high school years (thank you, Adam).
For six years I worked at the Northen California Renaissance Faire with the Scot's Guild (St Brigid's). It was there that I developed my love of dancing and all things Celtic. And when my schedule permits, I enjoy putting on a kilt and dropping by.
I have a terrible curiosity (which has gotten me into plenty of trouble in the past, thank you). One aspect of this is that I really enjoy learning. Heck, I get bored VERY easily, so I'm usually looking for some interesting "brain-candy". I find reading about ancient civilizations really interesting. I enjoy watching documentaries on archeology, sociology and international travel/affairs. I'm also working on building a library of source books about the Greek, Egyptian, Summerian and Babylonian civilizations as well as the histories of China and Japan.
In addition, I'm also into tigers, bears, orcas, wolves, snakes and other animals.
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As of July 14th, 1996, I became a parent. Well, sorta. I'm now the papa of a little pooch. Her name is Kimba. I'm not too sure about her heritage (she's a stray), but I figure she's part golden retriever and part samoyed. When I got her she was about 8 months old. She's really good natured and playful (although the neighborhood cats and squirrels might not see it that way). Kimba is extremely gentle and is a definite cuddler (although wet doggies can't hop on the bed!). If she wasn't so big (65 lbs), I think she'd try harder to be a lap dog. As it is, her cold, wet nose has been known to slip under the covers to oust her Papa when she really has to go potty. Not to mention, during any sort of rain storm she's just GOTTA curl up behind my legs no matter what I may be doing. For her, punishment is being made to sleep in another room. Since Kimba almost never barks, when she does, you know something is up (or she is REALLY annoyed at the squirrel taunting her). Before I got her, she was on the streets for a while. Kimba definitely knows how to bring down ducks and really enjoys going after rodents (even if they're in the trees while she's on the ground). |
If you're still interested in reading more about me, I suppose you can check out my ID file. (Betcha can't tell me where the format comes from.)
Like any life worth living, this one is always under construction...8-)...
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