I'm an unrepentant eccentric with a sense of fun that runs from the unconventional to the ill-advised. I over-think the ridiculous, roll with the unfortunate, and thoroughly believe that doing something just for the sake of doing it is not only acceptable but admirable.

This. So much this.

I'm a Midwestern transplant. No, I was not a farmer, though I am related to many. I do, however, know how to de-horn cattle.

I do speak social justice - conversationally, not fluently, but practice makes perfect. I'm working at being privilege-aware.

Job-wise, I use AI to teach computers how to understand human speech. Depending on your perspective, this is either boring, awesome, or terrifying.

Previously, I found myself working as an accidental molecular biologist, designing DNA microarray chips for clinical diagnostic use. The fact that I hadn't taken biology since high school was apparently not an issue.

Hobby-wise, I'm an avid builder/maker type guy. I recently built a bed out of 1" schedule 40 steel pipe, which I dare you to try to break. I also write for a sci-fi Lovecraftian role playing game, a gig I got by producing material that even the game's creators found creepy.

I've also made a computer program to talk to the computer programs that try to get me to go to porn sites. It emulates a schizophrenic guy who writes a site called Timecube - look it up some time if you feel like staring into the abyss.

Beyond that, I do a lot of reading and listening to podcasts, mostly science and various nerd things.

Cooking, which is often done improvisationally with whatever's on hand. I am a ramen wizard. I'm also known to toss together some shrimp scampi as a midnight snack.

Handyman/fixing/making type stuff. With any luck I'll find some kind of maker's cooperative to be a part of - until then, I lament my lack of a table saw.

Getting into and out of interesting situations.

Banter.

Probably the bald head. I've been told it's quite shiny.

I don't really think a full dossier is necessary, so here's a sampling.

Books: I'm on David Sedaris' latest book right now, Let's Talk About Diabetes With Owls. Past faves include the Iain M. Banks Culture series, Harlan Ellison, Newton and the Counterfeiter, Sex at Dawn. Carl Sagan is one of my heroes, as is Cyrano de Bergerac. Other favorite authors include Mary Roach, Max Barry, Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Warren Ellis, Douglas Adams.

Movies: One of my favorite movies is Repo Man - I've been told I get a good deal of my attitude from that movie. How to Train Your Dragon was about the best movie I'd seen in a long time, vikings with Scottish accents notwithstanding. Other favorites include Airplane, Secretary, The Princess Bride, Fight Club, Dr. Strangelove, Monty Python stuff, etc. Beyond that, I watch a lot of documentaries, kung fu flicks, and Mystery Science Theater 3000.

TV: Mythbusters is about my favorite thing ever. Doctor Who, Futurama, Archer, and The Daily Show aren't far behind. I have a deep and abiding love for shows that were too good to stay on TV, like Clone High and Arrested Development.

Music: Here's a selection from the Ds - Daft Punk, The Dandy Warhols, David Bowie, The Decembrists, Dire Straits, and The Dropkick Murphys.
By the way - the new Daft Punk album is so good, it restored my sense of optimism.

Food: Whatever I haven't tried yet - again with the foodie. Also, bourbon. Lots of bourbon. I've been on a beer kick lately, and I'm moving on to mead and barleywine. Suggestions?

BONUS: Favorite artist is Kandinsky, favorite poet is Neruda.

The laptop I'm typing on right now
A well laid-out kitchen
SCIENCE!
Internet media, which has almost entirely replaced traditional media in my life
NPR, which Netflix can't replace
Molecular bonds

What new hobbies I'm going to pick up, now that I have some free time.

Why in the world someone would carry around solid silver coins instead of normal legal tender (there's a story that comes with that one).

My next tattoo. Right now, I'm thinking the Planet Express ship done in a Sailor Jerry style with "Good news, everyone!" on a scroll around it. Also, half-sleeve Cthulhu starting at the shoulder.

The existence of a functional mapping from Minkowski space into a generalized Hilbert space.

I'm currently helping some friends remodel their bathroom. The previous owner wasn't as adept at DIY as much as DIDon't. It's like 'Nam - if you weren't there, you don't understand.

One Friday night, I discovered a blog written by a woman who claims to have sex with elves in Iceland. Not has had sex with, but is currently having sex. With elves. In Iceland. When you read it carefully, you realize she's just boning hoboes.

Also: whether or not I should really be using the word "boning" on a dating profile.

They say "Dress for the job you want" - apparently I want to be a lumberjack or something.

I think Radiohead is overrated. *hides*

... you have skills to swap. I love learning and teaching new stuff.

... you make jokes involving division by zero errors.

... you think it's cute that I identify with the guy in "Skullcrusher Mountain", as opposed to disturbing (honestly, that's probably the right feeling to have).

... you want to tell (or better yet, make) some stories.