HELLO FROM ED:
Greetings, and welcome to one of my websites. Yes, just one. What can I
say? I'm a hobbyist and a computer addict... You can probably get an
idea of my silly style of humor and some of my interests by scanning
through my multitude of web sites.
You can also take a peek at my semi-current resume.
Generally I tell people that if they can deal with my website, then they can
probably deal with me, since I'm a lot more normal than these pages make me
out to be, since you're seeing all my wierdness in one concentrated medium. :)
By day I'm a internet Systems Engineer and SysAdmin. Obviously,
computers are my primary interest. I'm also a Renaissance
Faire enthusiast, computer gamer, programmer. I'm also interested in
SETI,
Weather, and
A-Life.
I also collect and use weapons.
I've been collecting swords and medieval armaments since I was 13 years old,
and starting in 2000 I became a handgun enthusiast as well. (I have a
page describing my gun views. Ironically,
I was semi-anti-gun before, until I learned more about it. Exposure brings
understanding, and dispels fear). I enjoy target-shooting, and
fencing & sword-play, and I'm a self proclaimed knight,
in a manner of speaking.
Geeky and proud of it!
Additionally, I maintain several websites
for fun. I know most of the hacker geek types tend to prefer to have a simplistic and
understated web presence, if at all. I however enjoy using my websites
as my personal sandbox. Get over it. :)
If you'd like to see my photos page, just
click on one of my pictures here.
A MORE PHILOSOPHICAL NOTE
"Jack of all trades, master of none"
The phrase above holds special meaning for me. I've discovered over the
course of my life that I can usually achieve some level of success at
nearly anything I try, whether it's music, art, sports, building things,
math, science, writing... But I've never once excelled at any of these
things.
If there is any one thing that I seem to excel in more than anything else,
it's computers... I've gravitated towards the digital for most of my life,
having started with an original IBM 5150 PC when I was about 10 years old. However,
the well-known phrase above applies to my computer use as well. I'm a programmer
and a system administrator. I've dabbled with AI, A-Life, game programming,
voice and music synthesis, natural language processing, compiler design,
assembly language, dynamic web content, virus detection tactics, among others.
Nothing necessarily stands out with regards to my capabilities... though
I have to admit, when faced with a problem, I usually solve it. Eventually.
Many would consider all of this an opportunity, though when growing up it was
more a source of frustration, not being able to find anything I'm "good at"
(which seems to be nothing when you're a perfectionist). In more recent
years I've come to embrace it, as it allows for a wide range of interests
and opportunities to explore. I now realize that I'd much rather be a well-rounded
person, not a savant with gaping holes. However it comes with the caveat that I may
never achieve any sort of fame or wealth or reach any spectacular achievements
in my life. C'est la vie. :)
