Hello. I'm 26 years old, an aspiring historian, a science fiction geek, and amateur philosopher. I can be difficult to get to know, but value my friends more keenly than anything else in this world. I hope to polish my writing enough to be a serious author, and in the meantime write fanfiction and original sci-fi pieces. I'm a fan of the more elegant aesthetics of bygone ages, and would like to be more cultured than I really am. That said, I have pretty eclectic taste in music, television, movies, and entertainment, and like to talk with people of widely diverging interests.

Right now I'm stuck in Danville following an August graduation from Old Dominion University, with a MA in History. I'm trying to start a career in education, though getting the proverbial foot in the door, especially at this time of year, is a bit of a challenge. I'm applying to several doctoral programs for Fall 2009, but am not certain that I really want to return to university so soon. In any event, relocating away from this city as soon as possible is a high priority with me.

I think I'm a fair hand at writing history, and doing the research necessary in an academic setting. My fiction is less distinguished, but readers seem to think that I come up with interesting concepts and settings. Years of Instant Messaging and emails have also given me a pretty respectable typing speed on computer keyboard. Some people appreciate my cynical humor and self-deprecating jokes, but I can be an acquired taste.

Quite honestly not sure. Have never really asked. What do you notice about me?

I have far too many books to categorize, but my non-academic reading tends to revolving around science fiction as a means of relaxation, mostly of the escapist variety. The Mote in God's Eye by Niven and Pournelle remains my most read, and the Known Space series is very well represented on my bookshelf. S.M. Stirling, David Drake, and David Weber also grace my shelves, alongside a few "game novels" from the BattleTech universe. Serious science-fiction is rarer, though I have the original Dune series, and A Canticle for Leibowitz remains the most affecting sci-fi novel I've ever read.

My favorite movie is "Gladiator". As a historian I should hate it, but it works as a movie on so many levels, and embraces an almost archaic ethos about the nature of life in the world that results in a beautiful ending. In general I'm definitely a fan of huge, spanning period epics and war movies, as one might expect. Though "Pearl Harbor" was enough to send me into a frothing rage. Certainly have a soft-spot for the well done, genre-savvy action movie, where I can turn off my brain and just enjoy the ride. Love the Batman franchise reboot, and the new slew of Marvel universe movies look to be very promising if "Iron Man" is any indication. I did give warning that I'm a geek, after all. Prefer my comedies dark, or otherwise just a bit warped; the traditional romantic comedy holds little appeal to me. Am not at all afraid to explore more experimental movies or discouraged by subtitles, and off the top of my head "Russian Ark" and "Downfall" come to mind as two foreign film favorites.

My music tastes are extremely varied. Classical music is usually a must for setting the mood when I'm writing, while I might have heavy metal running on my playlist as I casually surf. In the car I'll listen to just about anything, but my usual default stations are soft-rock with lots of venerable classics and '80s hits.

I am something of a foodie, as much as I can be in a rather culturally deprived setting. I've gone out of my way to try new cuisines and dishes, and like the idea of a fine restaurant as something of an adventure. I'm quite fond of Mediterranean dishes in general, from either side of the old Mare Nostrum. Also a big fan of Thai cooking, though have regrettably not had it in quite some time. Have at least had some experience with Indian and some Peruvian cuisine and tried Moroccan once; hope eventually to say the same about Ethiopian, Vietnamese, and Russian. That said, my favorite meal was a dish of jaegerschnitzel at a colorful Central European themed family restaurant, and I'm quite capable of appreciating the simpler fare of home.

I could not do long without a computer and internet access. Once I have that, I'm pretty much set as far as contact with my friends and personal entertainment goes. A ready source of tea, a notebook to jot down observations, a comfortable place to sleep, and some means of transportation more or less round out everything I would need.

I like to consider how society works, in the hopes of coming to an understanding that ties together economics, politics, and the individual in the modern world. I also explore mildly fanciful alternate histories and fanfiction, when not spending my thinking time trying to figure out why the universe hates me.

In front of my computer, chatting with friends. Should have been obvious before you got here that I'm a sad, sad geek.

I wear boxer-briefs. Well, I said I was difficult to get to know, and introverted, didn't I?

You think I'm interesting or have something interesting to say. Or if you're one of my friends with an account.