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Typical Stuff

Quick Biography

I was born in Belize, and came to Phoenix young enough that I don't have any memories of Belize. I've lived in Phoenix ever since even though I don't think Phoenix is a great place to live. It does have plenty of sun, warm weather, and my family though. Part of the reason I like to travel so much is probably due to how much Phoenix sucks.

I was raised on American, Chinese, Italian, and Belizean food. Sometime fairly young I started getting particular about my food. I wasn't so much picky about what I would eat, I just preferred to eat well. The only thing that's changed since then is that I have my own money to spend on food. Once that happened I tried all sorts of new cuisines. My tastes range from simple flavors (e.g., sliced ripe tomatoes with salt and pepper, cheese, great bread) to the complex (e.g., nam sod, green chile beef, Japanese curry), and even though I prefer spicy I can appreciate subtle flavors.

I started my professional life maintaining computers, but after a few years I realized I hated computers. I moved on to web development, grew in the position, and eventually managed a small team of great people and our web site. That was a great job until a decision came down that I couldn't support so I quickly moved to programming. I like jobs that are mentally challenging, and have a high level of autonomy so it was a good fit. The move got me more money for less responsibility, and it's been fun on top of that.

Hobbies

This web site, eating well, smoking cigars, watching movies, reading, drinking wine, traveling, and photography (black and white, color, and infrared).

Interests

Anime, architecture, beer, cheese, chocolate, cool toys, dessert wines, Dia de los Muertos, erotic art, erotica, escapism, football, gardening, home audio, human observation, ice cream, Japan, Mardi Gras, masks, music, netsuke, pastries, pocketknives, soda, stealth art, tea, whimsical art

Not Frequently Asked Questions

What is your ultimate goal in life?

To live somewhere where I can eat well and I don't need to own a car to do it.

Where did "I am Jack's brain" come from?

There's a scene in "Fight Club" (one of the greatest movies of all time) where Ed Norton is sorting through journals written by some crazy guy who wrote them from the first person point of view of someone's organ (like "I am Jack's colon."). Throughout the rest of the movie Ed Norton would occasionally think things like, "I am Jack's smirking revenge." "I am Jack's brain" seemed appropriately ironic for someone completely devoid of creativity, such as myself. The metaphor also worked pretty well with the type of stuff I wanted to write about, like my indulgences.

What's the purpose of this site?

I'm not really sure. One reason might be that I've always wanted to do something arty or personal or something. I realized a long time ago that artists usually have something to say, and I don't. Then some time later it came to me; I may not have something to say, but I do have an opinion. I mean those who can't create just criticise the creations of others right?

One reason is so that I can keep my useful links straight between my home and work computers while hopefully giving people with like interests some good resources. Along the same lines there are some things that I would like to remember, and forcing myself to put them in writing helps me retain the memory. At the very least I can read it to refresh my memory when it starts getting hazy.

Another reason might be because I'm a secretive introvert in everyday life so there are very few people who know me. The web site would be a way to connect with people I wouldn't be able to otherwise.

Favorites

English Words

ineffable, copacetic, supple

Cities

New Orleans, LA; Portland, OR; Lucerne, Switzerland; Heidelberg, Germany

Cuisines

Thai, Mexican

Authors

George R. R. Martin, China Mieville, Haruki Murakami

Cigars

Ashton Virgin Sun Grown "Corona Gorda", Cusano Xclusivo "Preferido Grande", Rocky Patel Edge "Torpedo" [maduro], Cohiba Edicion Limitada 2001 "Piramides"

Music Groups

Alice in Chains, Amon Tobin, Cypress Hill, Fatboy Slim, Korn, Nine Inch Nails, Soundgarden

Movies

"Fight Club", "Amelie", "Tampopo", "Spirited Away", "Pulp Fiction", "Eat Drink Man Woman", "Shall We Dance?" (the Japanese version), "The Princess Bride", "Rushmore", "Ninja Scroll", "Like Water for Chocolate", "Kung Fu Hustle"

TV Shows

Anthony Bourdain No Reservations (travel, food), Battlestar Galactica (sci-fi), Bleach (anime), Hell's Kitchen (cooking competition), Heroes (sci-fi?), Human Weapon (martial arts action), Iron Chef (Japanese cooking battle), Naruto (ninja anime), Passport to Europe with Samantha Brown (travel, food), Scrubs (comedy), The Venture Brothers (adult cartoon), Top Chef (cooking competition)

Wineries

Callaghan Vineyards (AZ), White Oak (CA), Papapietro Perry (CA)

Photographers

Jeanloup Sieff

Sodas

Coke "Cola", Henry Weinhard's "Orange Cream Soda", Henry Weinhard's "Vanilla Cream Soda", IBC "Root Beer"