I hate the concept of modesty- that people that are gifted and work hard to get ahead are then meant to sell themselves short to make others feel better. Sure, some people are arrogant bastards (it goes to people's heads, sometimes) and they need cutting down to size, but that doesn't mean everyone who did something.

That said, I haven't changed the world. I have surprisingly sharp mind but I've never known quite what to apply it to. It comes in handy with my natural understanding of computers, but extends to other aspects of my life too.

I have a particular appreciation for science fiction. I've known many people to exclaim 'but that's so sad!', but I think there's an important depth to sci-fi that many people miss- the ability to dream of the future, to create without boundaries, to examine the future of the human condition in an ever-changing, ever-accelerating world is a powerful thing, not to mention it seems geek is become more and more 'in' these days.

I also have a great interest in games and how important they actually are to life. As the world becomes more and more fluid, adults are playing more and more games. Once considered child-like, they are actually very important to retaining something else children have- the ability to quickly learn and adapt, and only recently is it becoming apparent.

I also feel a need to mention the TED talks. These rock like nothing else and are guaranteed to blow your mind. There's nothing more awesome in the world that incredible ideas and TED is stock full of them. If you don't get TED, if nothing there can get you excited, then you'll probably never get me.

My pleasures in my life stem from a few sources: I'm a voracious reader of books, I try to stick to what I consider quality TV shows and movies, and listen extensively to music. I play a fair share of games, both on my own and socially. I love my friends, spend a fair amount of time staying in touch with them online and doing things with them when they visit (or visiting myself).

I dream of making my own games- I want to understand what makes them tick, what makes some games so compelling as opposed to addictive, and use that to design and create my own. I'd like to be financially free to pursue my own projects, although I imagine one day I'll get involved in the huge project that is raising a child, but I haven't made any plans.

My friends call me lots of things- weird seems to be a common one, although most would qualify that by saying they're weird too. Me and my friends, we're all weird. If you're weird too, join us! Takes a little crazy to be different these days and we crazies stick together.

Pervy might be another thing some of my friends call me, but only in the same, endearing fashion as they call me weird. I'm as open as people like me to be and unabashedly curious with those who don't mind it, but I do my best to respect those who aren't so liberal. There's no point if it isn't mutual.

I'm a damn good software engineer, making life easier for those who are less technically minded. This means having to study and catch up with new technologies often, which I don't mind at all. I'm working at a lovely little start-up company with cool, cutting edge stuff, so I'm happy.

I'm also planning a trip to America sometime in the middling future... got some friends I don't see anymore, want to pay them all visits.

I'm a relatively fresh and new resident to the Edinburgh area. Definitely up for getting to know new people up in this lovely city.

I suppose I am, mostly passively, looking to meet new people. I've reached a point in my life where I feel rather confident in myself and don't want for much, which makes it easier to meet people without too much intent. I don't like being needy or needed too much, but the right person, it's just nice to have them there for the small things.

I seem to have a superb sense of balance. I've never been beaten in those gladiator-esque game on the podiums where you have to knock the other person off. I also can outrun most people I know, but what I have in speed I've lost out in stamina. When I swim, it certainly looks convincing but somehow is really slow.

I dabble a little with art- the occasional portrait and other odds and ends. I sing well enough to fool the expert difficulty on Rock Band and am a fairly decent gamer. I used to fence, play rugby, fives and bridge at school and was good enough to compete in them all, but I haven't really done them since.

I speak fluently with computers- I probably even have a little silicone in my veins. I'm also am a bit of a speed-reader.

I like to leave random, positive comments for people when I can. It takes no effort and can really make someone's day.

Things people have noticed about me (and told me about it): my chin. Apparently it's huge (although perhaps less so now I've lost weight). A caricature artist in Paris confirmed that perhaps it is somewhat out or proportion. Also, I've been told I look stern, which is ridiculous because I'm really nice.

In person, people might notice that I'm a pretty big guy, unless I'm too busy doing something wacky like vocals and bass at the same time on Rock Band. I also might be soon wearing a pair of Vibram Five-Finger KSO Trek's (think toed shoes) which is quite unique.

I've been told that I have a face that says I can be trusted. People must notice this pretty early on as a lot of people open up to me even when they don't know me. I'm just happy to be someone good to open up to.

This feels too much like spoilers to go into too much details here- I could mention a few favourites and get the occasional random spark with someone, but it would sell short all the other stuff I love. Better to paint some broad genre strokes and let things go from there.

Books, I read a lot of sci-fi, fantasy, comics/graphic novels, adventure, and the good childrens books. I also stay on top of magazines like New Scientist and Edge, occasionally dabble in historical, crime and horror, and am not scared by non-fiction, although I prefer entertaining non-fiction.

Movies, I have a few themes that sometimes conflict- sometimes I can go for a good action movie where the plot is thrown to the wind and it's guns and explosions. Others, I like an intelligent thriller or mystery. I'm comfortably crying at more powerful films, and have no qualms watching things that a bit on the girly side either. Also, kids movies seems to be better than most movies these days- most recently, WALL-E was amazing, as was Enchanted.

Music, equally broad tastes. I like mainstream, I like indie, I like jazz, classical, rock, techno, dance, club, the list goes on and on. I even have some medieval chorus.

Food, I was brought up on Italian and English type diets, but I've experienced my share of Turkish, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Chinese, and others, and it's all good. I steer clear of sea-food, with the exception of a little fish... battered is fine, sushified is good too. I'm also partial to salmon and mmmm, tuna.

My computer and an internet connection- I run so much of my life through these and like most modern individuals am somewhat dependant upon it now. What it doesn't cover is managed by..

My phone. I'm not a fan of a bazillion gadgets and ever since my 3310's screen died, I've reverted to my 3310(the old one, it's the Toyota Hilux of mobile phones!) and not noticed much difference. It does me for scheduling, on the go communication and portable notes, which is all I need really.

My iPod. While I like to mix things up with books and magazines, any trip, even a half hour jaunt to the local superstore, can be livened up with music, ebooks and podcasts.

Wallet, keys, loose change and belt. These are my trouser constants - they get switched over when I change my active pair of trousers and I'm rarely far from them.

I also usually take a bag with me if I go anywhere. Years of going to school and university has made it feel very odd to go anywhere without one. Having a bag has many uses. These days it's usually my laptop bag, although I'm hoping nobody ever decides it's worth pinching because there's no laptop inside.

I need multiple pillows to sleep properly. I've experimented with sleeping with just the one and confirmed that it was indeed the cause of terribly pains in my arm and shoulder, so I now ensure my head is properly propped up at night, wherever I may sleep.

How to do things faster. I like to maximise my efficiency in doing things- it keeps my mind engaged during boring and tedious tasks, while making them hopefully end sooner, leaving me more time to relax and waste the time I've saved.

I also can think about things too much and end up taking them to the n'th degree. It can be interesting most of the time.

Untypical. I stay in a lot, get distracted by all sorts of things, but I'm always up for what my friends are doing, which can make friday nights fairly spontaneous, although I've taken to hanging out with the UoE CompSoc and Sciffy societies when it takes my fancy.

Suitable activities have included: drinking, dancing, playing rock band and other games, meals, movies, and lazing around chatting. However, as I like to say, it's who you're doing things with that matters most.

I used to intentionally leave this blank as it's a rather difficult to fill. I'm a pretty open person, so I don't have many things that are private to any degree except for the strongest, which means I wouldn't admit them here. The stuff I would admit I wouldn't consider private because I'm so free with that information, so this box has been rendered somewhat moot.

I'm not desperately seeking anyone special now, so don't feel any expectation for anything serious- I like to think such things happen naturally with the right person and am in no hurry to force the matter. I kinda ticked all the boxes in 'Looking For' because I don't know what to expect and what might happen.

I don't have to tell you to message me if you're interested, you've probably already chosen to do so- instead, probably better to say, if you're interested and being lazy. Or shy. Or whatever other excuse you're coming up with to not message me now and instead "come back to it". Send a message saying nothing more than 'hi', if you really must.

(This is a bit hypocritical as I don't message people far too often, so I can forgive some lapse, but it'd be a shame to miss an opportunity altogether. If I've viewed your profile and haven't sent a message, double emphasis on sending me a message, if only to scorn me for being a lazy bum which should cause me to redouble my efforts to make up for my lapse.)

If you're a lovely Edinburgh resident who wants to show me all your good hang-out spots, or adventurous people to find some new ones in interested company.