Like most people on this sight, I'm not good at writing self-summaries. I'm not much of a salesman. I don't like to talk myself up more than what I think is an accurate description of myself. I am looking for long-term friendships or relationships through this site, so I want to be honest about who I am. (On a side note: I once read an article that said the average person actually tends to perceive their self image to be greater than how others perceive them. I tend to believe I usually have a fairly realistic view, but you can be the judge of that if you take the time to get to know me.)

That said, I'm not actually a Dr. yet. I am currently working on getting my PhD in engineering with a focus on robotics for rehabilitation. Research keeps me busy, but I still find plenty of time to enjoy life. I love to get together with a few friends for dinner, a few drinks, or a movie. I also enjoy going to the occasional party.

I try to participate in many various outdoor activities, so I like to keep in shape. Some of these activities include: downhill skiing/snowboarding, water-skiing/wake-boarding/knee-boarding, hiking, biking, and kayaking. I also enjoy just relaxing in the park. And, I always enjoy trying new things. I moved out to California from Maryland (near DC) and still haven't gotten used to having a beach so close. I'm not a big fan of crowded places full of people I don't know so my favorite time to go to the beach is at night or on cloudy days. I'm not saying I wouldn't go some other time, but I'd have to really like the people I was going with.

I also have a passion for music. I play the guitar and I love to sing. I tend to only play for myself and don't like to sing and play at the same time. Maybe I could write a song for someone if I thought they were really special.

I love animals. I recently adopted two cats. They are good entertainment and good company. Seeing them when I get home always brightens my day.

I got my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland after deciding business was too boring. I love always having a puzzle to work on and fix. Anyhow, after I graduated I decided I needed a change of scenery, and I also didn't feel like my undergraduate experience had prepared me for a career in robotics. So, I decided that UC Irvine would be a great place for me to get a PhD. My current plan is to finish up in 2010 and find a job outside of academia few years before considering a professorship at another university.

Right now I have 3 jobs. I am a teaching assistant, research assistant, and a tutor. So I tend to be fairly busy. If I don't get back to you right away, it's nothing against you, I'm just busy.

Math, making people laugh, having random talents, setting goals and following through.

I've never really asked. I would like to say my handsome good looks ;). But probably that I can be a bit quiet until I feel like I know you.

Books: Despite my ambition to be a PhD, I'm dyslexic. This means that what I read and what is actually written in the document I am reading often differ. To correct for this I tend to read words and sentences multiple times to make sure I am reading things right. This repetition causes me to read much slower than your average person. So, I don't have much time to read for leisure. The everyday reading that I have to do takes up enough of my time.

Movies: I tend to like comedies, superhero action flicks, and the occasional drama. Some examples Death to Smoochy, Old School, Juno, Little Miss Sunshine, The Matrix, X-Men Trilogy, Trainspotting

Music: Rise Against, The Offspring, ATB, DJ Tiesto, Soundtracks, and much much more.

Food: Chipotle, pasta, flank steak, chicken enchiladas, Chinese food

Just your basic human needs in order from most to least important.
1. Oxygen (Not too hard to come by. At least when there aren't local wildfires.)
2. Fresh water (A bit harder to come by in this dry Southern California climate. Not too difficult at the moment, but possibly in the coming years if Global warming theories are accurate.)
3. Food (This takes up a surprisingly large chunk of my monthly budget. And since I don't know how to grow or hunt my own food, I may have to say I can't live without my job or monetary reserves.)
4. Shelter (Somehow as things are getting less important, they are getting more expensive. Reminds me of the water-diamond paradox.)
5. Love (The Beatles would disagree that this isn't the only thing on the list. I get this from my family, my friends, and my cats. Of course I'm on this site to find more of this.)

...that's only 5...oh
6. Music! (Not really a human need, but still very human. As long as I've got my six-string (or iPod) on my back, I've got this covered.)

Robotics, the abstract, philosophy, family.

Since I'm atheist I find myself pondering these questions a lot:
What purpose does religion have in other peoples lives?
What drives people to be religious?
If my existence and the existence of the universe are only temporary, what is the reason that I will to exist?
How can I make the world a better place?

Seeing where the night will take me. Some frequent possibilities in no particular order:
- At home doing research
- At home watching Comedy Central's Friday Night Stand-Up
- At home playing guitar
- On a late night walk
- On a late night bike ride
- At the gym
- On a date
- At my friend John's house playing Rock Band (He likes to get the latest songs each week.)
- At a concert
- At a bar
- At a party
- At a movie
- Some combination of all several of the above

Probably, that I actually enjoy playing Rock Band. Though, sometimes I complain that the guitars don't accurately reflect a real guitar, especially on songs that I know how to play for real.

- You live in southern California.
- You like cats.
- We have something else in common.
- Our Match % is above 80%
- You do not think everyone must follow your religion.
- You are not looking just to hook up.

- If I've messaged you! Seriously! Even if it's just to say you're not interested.