Alright here is the break down: I'm a down to earth, head in the clouds man-geek that simultaneously takes himself far too seriously, yet not enough. Life for me is an interesting balancing act of living life the way I want to, yet feeling somewhat guilty about not doing enough. These internal conflicts make me who I am, which is somewhere between Spock and Freakazoid.

I worship logic and understanding with a dash of empathy and if pressed into a religious debate I'm more prone to siding with "Jedi" that anything else. (post-Return of the Jedi, Old Republic Jedi were pricks) I love discussing all topics from big questions of the universe to silly thoughts like how pandas are not technically bears. (update they apparently are bears again!)

Also I'm kind of a goofball. Humor is the single greatest force on the planet aside from a good chili.

Just moved back to the Twin Cities for work (went to college here) and am quite excited to be back in a big city. Defiantely a different pace here than my roots in central Wisconsin.

Professionally I am a quality assurance software tester, which basically means I try to break programs so the developers can fix any problems before anything goes live. It is a rewarding job that really challenges the logical part of my brain. Everyday is trying to solve a puzzle!

Outside of work I keep myself busy with my various hobbies. I play video games like any typical 20 something, but my true passion lies with board games. Something great about sitting around a table communicating with real people and rolling dice that is infinitely better than being screamed at by 12 years who are think "your mother" jokes are the height of comedy and insults. Damn kids these days...

I also spend a great deal of my time creating things. Building my owns games is rewarding, and I tend to write alot in various forums, local blogs, short stories, scripts, whatever strikes my mood.

I'm a natural at public speaking. In fact I feel more comfortable talking to a large audience than small talk one-on-one, something that I am always working at. Small talk just makes me nervous so I tend to talk too much and say silly things. I also tend to hide behind my sense of humor, so if I start cracking jokes at a mile a minute, I'm just nervous. Given a few drinks and I get philosophical for better or worse...

The speaking ability also lends me the power to motivate folks and spearhead projects and tasks like a bau5. I begrudgingly take charge if no one else steps up to the plate; I'm definitely more Ultra Magnus than Optimus Prime. (if you get that reference you're awesome)

Oh and growing facial hair.

"You're so tall!" is most peoples' gut reaction.

I love science fiction. Something about sailing through the universe in a massive vessel built of metal, just speaks to my inner child in a way no other genre can. I'm a born and raised Star Wars geek, and know far too much random factoids about the movies and extended universe. If you ever want to watch the movies with the worst kind of dvd commentary, get me drunk and sit me down in front of the movies and I'll tell you how Watto can fly despite his tiny wings or why the X-Wing fighter has to "lock S-foils in attack position."

Beyond that, I enjoy fantasy, action, and history films. Though I am a sucker for a good romantic comedy and will not hesitate to shed a manly tear at the end of a sad movie. My big favorites include the Lord of the Rings (super excited for the hobbit), Pixar films (Ratatouille is my favorite), and Scott Pilgrim vs The World. This obviously only scratches the surface and I can talk for hours about films and how they are made.

Television I enjoy sit-coms, especially Scrubs, Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother. Also a long time fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel. Mythbusters also keep the splines in my brain reticulating. I've also been playing catch-up on shows that I've neglected over the years such as Futurama, Dexter, and whatever else pops up on my Netflix queue. Walking Dead and Game of Thrones never fail to impress me though week after week.

Oh and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson is the best thing on TV. Period.

Odd to clump food in here as well, but pizza is perhaps the greatest thing ever invented. I blame the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for corrupting my young mind back in the day to thinking that pizza was the only food group for years.

My musical interests change from month to month, but I am quite open to listening to anything at least once. Though I have strange vendetta against country music. Current artists that show up on my Pandora station is The Hush Sound, Panic! At the Disco, The Fray, Cee-lo Green, and oddly a fair amount of top 40 hits... I don't take my musical taste too seriously and if we're being honest here a touch of Katy Perry once a day can brighten anyone's mood.

As for literature I read constantly be it magazines, novels, non-fiction, rule books, heck even packaging for products. I can't claim I remember or follower any authors basically, but that is simply because I'm terrible at remembering names! To compensate I can pick up a book or comic months after reading it and it is almost a brand new experience for me. I enjoy revisiting old favorites sitting on the shelf after years and remembering why I kept it around to begin with!

On that note, I love comics, and have been slowly rebuilding my collection digitally. Been giving DC a shot lately, but really the only books I follow monthly are Detective Comics, Batwoman, and Aquaman. Hellboy is one of my favorites, but I really only grab the trades from time to time. Recently completed burning through the omnibus of Bone and absolutely loved it.

1. Joss Whedon and his works.
2. My computer.
3. A notebook with a pen.
4. My friends.
5. Assorted dice.
6. Gummi Worms

Whatever current project I'm working on. Usually some form of game mechanics for a new board game or writing terrible dialogue for a script.

Hanging out with friends.

I do a pretty good Patrick Warburton impression.

If your looking for a taller guy with a beard and enjoy mind shattering conversations communicated through a snarky sarcastic sense of humor. Or if you are big geek yourself and want to discuss games, movies, or how they keep killing off superheroes and bringing them back 5 months later, drop me a line!

So basically if you recognized any of the billion nerd references in the above profile feel free to contact me!