Come full circle, this is my "homepage light," little more than an elaborate .plan file. You've probably arrived here to learn some additional context about who I am, so I'll just provide you a concise list of things I'm willing to share.Come full circle, this is my "homepage light," little more than an elaborate .plan file. You've probably arrived here to learn some additional context about who I am, so I'll just provide you a concise list of things I'm willing to share.
My wife, Marcia, and my son, Warner, are the most important aspects of my life. Marcia is the proof that if you work hard enough and look hard enough, you can find someone who suits you ideally. My life could go to crap, but if I still had her, I'd have purpose. In Warner's eyes, I see hope that always brightens my day
We live in Belmont, CA. We have a nice home with room to grow our family.
Flying is a personal source of inspiration. I've been flying small, single engine planes since I was 17. It's been an important part of my life. I even proposed to Marcia while flying.
I love to cook. It's a great way to do something special for Marcia or for some friends, creating a meal that seems difficult, but is actually quite simple. I frequently watch the Food Network, and Alton Brown's Good Eats is my favorite. My favorite cookbook is Shirley Cohhrier's Cookwise. (Get it and make her buttermilk biscuits, her mashed potatoes, and her sweet potato pudding; with just those recipes, you'll have satisfaction worth far more than the cost of the book.)
Roleplaying games are a frequent diversion. I introduced Marcia to Dungeons & Dragons in 2002, and something totally unexpected (to me) happened - she wanted to play more, and more, and more. We've travelled throughout the country to go to gaming conventions. These days, I focus on the RPGA's Living Greyhawk campaign. I maintain my local region's Web site, the Theocracy of the Pale Web site.
Professionally, I'm a software engineer who has focused on technical management for the past nine years. Places that I've worked at in the past include Turbine Entertainment Games, BBN, Excite, and EarthLink. Currently, I'm an Uber Tech Lead at Google.
Writing has been both a professional and personal diversion. Years ago, I took several contracts to write technical books on Java and other technologies. On a more creative front, I've been writing for roleplaying games since 1991. I've been published with a few companies (WotC, TSR, West End, Imperium Games), but the bulk of my work has been with the RPGA - 28 scenarios and counting. The last few years of creative writing have been with the Living Greyhawk campaign - six regional scenarios and a core.
I love to eat. One of the great things about living in the Bay Area is having a wide variety of restaurants to try. I like from high-end places (French Laundry, Gary Danko, Fleur de Lys, Pisces) to sloppy good BBQ joints (Big Nates, Carmen's, Chef Edwards). In a trip to Paris, Marcia and I went to Guy Savoy, Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athenee, Le Cinq, Restaurant Le Meurice, Pierre Gagnaire, and Arpege.
Beer, red wine, Scotch, and Armagnac I happily imbibe. Occassionally, I homebrew my own beer; my porter consistantly comes out the best. My favorite commercial beer is Sam Smith's Oatmeal Stout - beer you can eat with a spoon. My wife got us a nice wine fridge, in which I keep a few bottles I'm patiently waiting until after 2010 to open. For Scotch, I like Islay malts a great deal.
I went to school at Brown University, in Providence Rhode Island, and Enrico Fermi High School, in Enfield, CT.
Running keeps me physically and emotionally fit. I try to run six miles, five days a week. I've been running regularly since I was about 14, though my college years coerced me to slack off on that front.
Mr. Rogers was a personal inspiration. If you're looking for a wonderful gift for someone you care about, I recommend The World According to Mister Rogers. His passing affected me greatly.