In Which I Talk About Me
As part for the deadly H195 meme that's going around lowellboyslash sent me a list of five words that I remind her of. They are: physics, curry, beer, RPGs and women.
If you would like me to infect you with your own 5 words just ask in the comments.
Physics
I've always wanted to be a scientist or engineer because I like the idea of solving practical problems. That and I spent much of my youth being indoctrinated by StarTrek into thinking that with sufficient scientific progress we will be able to create a galaxy spanning utopia where everyone is very nice to one another.
I didn't like biology because I pass out if confronted with blood. I didn't like chemistry because I not very good at remembering things. Since I'm not original enough to choose a subject that wasn’t offered at school level (and because I really liked maths) I ended up doing physics.
Right now I'm doing a PhD in organic semiconductors which pretends to have something to do with quantum condensed matter but in reality is too messy and amorphous to follow those nice perfect mathematical models. It's a little bit unsatisfying to be working in an area where we don't have any real idea what's going on but I seem to be actually achieving things…
…at least I’m producing some papers. The actual utility of their contents is a matter of debate.
Curry
I suspect this refers to a specific beef (rather chewy) beef curry that I made once. Also, why we call the monkey Jack.
*Ahem*
I was born in Malaysia and my mum makes a mean Malaysian curry and in family mythology this is the reason why I like moderately spicy food.
Curry is certainly one of my favorite foods. I haven't been making myself many since moving to St Andrews because I've been living with a Pakistani friend who makes a much better one than I could possibly pour out of a bottle.
Beer
I've only recently started liking beer. As I was basically introduced to alcohol by fhtagn I've been more of a cider drinker. Also it means I can feel special when I go up to the bar and order something that isn't a pint of bitter.
I suspect what lowellboyslash is referring to here is my tendency to drink too much too quickly and stagger around much to the merriment of all concerned.
I haven't been doing that as much have late because a) my tolerance to alcohol has actually increased, b) I wake up with far worse hangovers than I used to and c) I don't have people who I feel I can get wasted with.
RPGs
I live to game.
Currently my RPG system on the CURS wiki is close to 150 pages long and I've been participating in weekly gaming sessions for nearly ten years. Before I new what RPGs were I was already playing homemade games with my brothers since I was about 8 years old.
Sometimes physics is fun but nowadays it's mostly something I have to do to satisfy my collaborators and my supervisor. Though there are projects I work on to satisfy my own curiosity they are limited and mostly unsatisfactory.
Working on writing RPG systems, running games and munchkining my way though someone's carefully crafted plot are my greatest joys. I feel more comfortable spending time with my gaming group than any of my other friends.
Women
Ah, my old nemesis.
I am at any given time either chasing one or more women around or moping about how I'm never going to find someone who wants to date me. I'd say it's one of the things that defines me as a person.
Also given my tendency to fall hard for people and then take ages to get over them this make's me basically allergic to half the population. Not good.
If you would like me to infect you with your own 5 words just ask in the comments.
Physics
I've always wanted to be a scientist or engineer because I like the idea of solving practical problems. That and I spent much of my youth being indoctrinated by StarTrek into thinking that with sufficient scientific progress we will be able to create a galaxy spanning utopia where everyone is very nice to one another.
I didn't like biology because I pass out if confronted with blood. I didn't like chemistry because I not very good at remembering things. Since I'm not original enough to choose a subject that wasn’t offered at school level (and because I really liked maths) I ended up doing physics.
Right now I'm doing a PhD in organic semiconductors which pretends to have something to do with quantum condensed matter but in reality is too messy and amorphous to follow those nice perfect mathematical models. It's a little bit unsatisfying to be working in an area where we don't have any real idea what's going on but I seem to be actually achieving things…
…at least I’m producing some papers. The actual utility of their contents is a matter of debate.
Curry
I suspect this refers to a specific beef (rather chewy) beef curry that I made once. Also, why we call the monkey Jack.
*Ahem*
I was born in Malaysia and my mum makes a mean Malaysian curry and in family mythology this is the reason why I like moderately spicy food.
Curry is certainly one of my favorite foods. I haven't been making myself many since moving to St Andrews because I've been living with a Pakistani friend who makes a much better one than I could possibly pour out of a bottle.
Beer
I've only recently started liking beer. As I was basically introduced to alcohol by fhtagn I've been more of a cider drinker. Also it means I can feel special when I go up to the bar and order something that isn't a pint of bitter.
I suspect what lowellboyslash is referring to here is my tendency to drink too much too quickly and stagger around much to the merriment of all concerned.
I haven't been doing that as much have late because a) my tolerance to alcohol has actually increased, b) I wake up with far worse hangovers than I used to and c) I don't have people who I feel I can get wasted with.
RPGs
I live to game.
Currently my RPG system on the CURS wiki is close to 150 pages long and I've been participating in weekly gaming sessions for nearly ten years. Before I new what RPGs were I was already playing homemade games with my brothers since I was about 8 years old.
Sometimes physics is fun but nowadays it's mostly something I have to do to satisfy my collaborators and my supervisor. Though there are projects I work on to satisfy my own curiosity they are limited and mostly unsatisfactory.
Working on writing RPG systems, running games and munchkining my way though someone's carefully crafted plot are my greatest joys. I feel more comfortable spending time with my gaming group than any of my other friends.
Women
Ah, my old nemesis.
I am at any given time either chasing one or more women around or moping about how I'm never going to find someone who wants to date me. I'd say it's one of the things that defines me as a person.
Also given my tendency to fall hard for people and then take ages to get over them this make's me basically allergic to half the population. Not good.