I grew up on a farm in rural Wisconsin and it was about all you’d expect from such a life – beautiful surroundings, constant work, little money and relative isolation. This upbringing combined with some fundamental aspect of my personality/genetics/soul has led me to be very standoffish around those I don't know. Some of us have to fill this role I suppose, and fate has deemed that we are the creators of conversational lulls and awkward silence which may be filled by the gab of non-stop talkers. As you may expect, with friends and family this is not so much the case.

Among those who know me, I’ve been told I have a dry sense of humor. Sarcasm, not-so-obscure references, and dark humor are all tools of my conversational toolbox and I use them often around those I know will understand them. My friends and family have also described me as a “stubborn bastard” (bastard added for dramatic effect). To deny this would be a blatant lie, so I won’t. I would also say that I’m often lost in thought and zoning out at key times have resulted in such mishaps as forgetting to shampoo my hair or throwing away a non-disposable fork. While these events may not be as tragic as getting dismembered by a train, there is still plenty of time for that.

I do not drink, ever. This is choice I made a long time ago and has only solidified as I’ve grown older. In fact my time spent at UW-Madison has resulted in a deep seated annoyance that often rises up in the presence of drunks. Some of the same feelings show up around smokers as well, particularly since I’m asthmatic.

As far as interests go, movies a.k.a. films (see what I did there?) lie at the top of the heap. As a kid, when boredom struck an escape was often found in a copied VHS tape. Needless to say, my love of movies continues to this day and is only enhanced with access to Netflix, the internet and the occasional film festival.

As for other interests, anything with a halfway decent story is likely to attract my attention. Whether it is TV shows, books or games, getting lost in a tale is probably my favorite pastime. I also spend a lot of time playing online games with friends on my computer, and occasionally on my 360. Considering I’ve spent the last three years in Utah, this has been a great way to keep in touch. When summer rolls around and I happen to be in Wisconsin I’ll often try to get some biking in – nothing major, just a few hours on one of the paved trails in the area. Hiking is also something I enjoy, particularly in some of the more “rugged” parks of Southern Wisconsin.

I have been working on a graduate degree out in Utah for the last few years, but unfortunately it did not pan out as I had hoped. Soooo, I’m returning from my extended exile in December and will begin the undertaking of The Job Hunt. In this economy I expect the prey to be most elusive.

Things of little or no practical value seem to be my forte. For example, I use to be great at playing "six degrees" with two random actors, but I'm out of practice.

I will say that I am decently tech savvy and the prospect of setting up a home entertainment system or building a computer fills me with excitement rather than dread.

I'd like to think I'm a good writer, but I could just be deluded. I enjoy it, so maybe the truth of the matter doesn't.....matter.

I’d guess it is probably that I’m not saying anything. Based on the number of times random people have called me quiet, reserved or stoic, this is probably a safe bet.

After that, hell if I know.

Some of my favorite books would have to be George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, and Iain M. Banks’ books Excession, Consider Phlebas and The Wasp Factory. Other favorites include Catch 22, Cat's Cradle, The Brief History of the Dead and The Road.

Movie wise, my list of favorites is huge, but I’ll give the abridged version. Of the more recent releases I’d have to put Moon and Waltz with Bashir on the list. I seem to love anything the Coen Brothers put out and I’d say for good reason. Clint Eastwood’s recent films have been great and I always look forward to what he will come out with next. Children of Men, The Lives of Others, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, American Beauty, and The Fountain are also movies I recommend unabashedly.

In this age of the MP3 I find myself buying individual songs from many different artists and genres and as a result it is really hard to name favorites. Genre wise I’d say I lean towards alternative, with a healthy dose of alternative rock, instrumentals, and electronic mixed in. Some of my favorite songs are from the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, Mazzy Star, Sigur Ros, Sia, Regina Spektor, Coldplay, Clint Mansell, and Saxon Shore.

I am a simple man when it comes to food and roast chicken with a good spice rub is something I could eat forever. A steak cooked from good beef is also great, but not something I’d do every day.

Since TV wasn’t part of the list of favorites, I’ll add it for the hell of it even though 75% of it is crap. I’ve loved many of HBO’s series and miniseries and have used an untold number of Netflix rentals on these shows. 30 Rock, House, Breaking Bad, Lost, Fringe and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia are shows I currently enjoy and tivo every week. I also loved the hell out of Firefly when it was on the air.

In no particular order:
1. Contacts/Glasses: Since the tender age of 12 I’ve been making the steady journey to a legally blind classification.
2. Internet Access: No explanation needed.
3. A Computer: Source to the above stated Internet.
4. DVD Player: I purchased my Sony DVD player back in 1998 for $130. Since then it has played thousands of discs, served as additional shelving and been bounced on a tile floor. It continues to live to this day.
5. Tivo: It DID change the way I watch tv.
6. My Inhaler: Asthma sucks, but at least it isn’t diabetes.

If I’m not preoccupied by something in the here and now, I’m probably either pondering some what-if scenario, daydreaming or mulling over what makes a good plotline.

More often than not I’ll be at home on a Friday night sprawled out on some comfortable surface while soaking in radiation from electronic equipment. Failing this, I may go to a movie or hang out at a friend’s place.

I was raised Catholic, went to a Catholic elementary school, and still call myself Catholic. In reality, I’m probably some form of Unitarian, but since I’m non-practicing I don’t really care. Shhh, don’t tell the Pope.

You share some of the same interests and want to geek out about them. Seriously, I don’t get to geek out often and it’ll probably someday lead to my premature death..