I like puzzles, so I've embedded one in my profile.

I hail from the alpine wilderness of Colorado, where I spent the first 23 years of my life before moving away, spent the next 3 and half or so in Michigan (horrid place), before finally moving to SoCal last year.

I studied a lot of physics and a bit of cell biology and biochemistry in school, but it's weird--I think that I've learned more about the field and the phenomenon of science since I started teaching it to middle school kids.

I work very hard at being a good listener, who can genuinely sympathize without offering unsolicited advice. I had a friend do this for me when I was going through a rough patch, and it's the kind of thing that I want to be able to do for other people.

I really like wearing costumes with swords--for the last two Halloweens I was Aragorn and The Dread Pirate Roberts. Next year, I'm thinking Marquis de Lafayette (I need a sabre).

Preparing for the next school--Life Science next year. This involves a lot of reading, watching lectures, and going hiking with field guides.

In my free time--reading many other books, jiu jitsu, bouldering, batting cages, and trying to learn languages.

I also sometimes sing to myself when I'm walking around in public.

Self-examination, and quickly changing things about me that I think need to be changed

I have lopsided dimples when I smile. I've also been told many times that I look like Brendan Fraiser.

Most of these fall into a broad category of: "It has a good story about a hero."

Books: Ayn Rand, Terry Goodkind, Brandon Sanderson, Isaac Asimov, Ayaan Hirsi-Ali

Movies: Gladiator, The Lives of Others, This Land is Mine

Shows: Burn Notice, Veronica Mars, Stargate

Music: Country (since middle school when it was "way uncool" to like country), New Age (Enya, Yanni, Tim Janis)

Food: The brisket from the smoked meats counter at the Whole Foods in Laguna Niguel--heaven. I enjoy most things that are spicy and high in fat.

Electric lighting
Clean, hot water
Global Shipping
My car
Refrigeration
Plastics

Who I want to become.

How nanobots will someday negate the effects of aging.

Most likely at Stadium Brewery having a drink with my friends--laughing and telling stories about students, parents, and the antics of small children.

I just sacrificed a goat in order to have more luck on OkC.

You can tell me the common ingredient (not hydrogen--though that is relevant) in my 6 "can't live without" items.

You want to go climbing

You want to go to the batting cages.

You want to go look at stars with my cool new astronomy laser pointer.

You want to go out on a hike with field guides and try to identify birds, mammals or trees.