ShadowJester's picture
About Me

I am brilliant, ridiculous, and optimistic about the future, but ultimately I am a nerd.
I am a hacker by nature; I love to play in the giant sandbox we call technology. The relationship between people and computers fascinates me, as does the many useful applications of technology in everyday life. I spend a vast amount of time designing and dreaming up new and wonderful computer system concepts, ranging from fully-interactive paper interfaces to gigantic, networked workstations. My focus is less on the consumer side of technology — modern companies have a firm grasp on that one — and more on the creative/programmer side, which I believe aren't all that different from each other.

ShadowJester
24
Windsor
Ontario
Canada
Male
Females
Single
Friendship
Relationship
Date

Soft and squishy; probably purple and pink with slight accents of grey and red. Frankly though, I'm not particularly sure what they're like; I've never had the pleasure (or displeasure?) to look or touch my insides. I honestly would like it to stay that way, thanks.
So, in accordance with the actual purpose of this question, I believe I am funny (I am if I made you laugh from the above paragraph), with a rather off-the-wall, quirky sense of humour. I'm also quite ridiculous, slightly obsessive (not in the creepy obsessive way, but in the "This is so cool! Now, what happens if I do this? This? This? That? This?" sort of way...kind of like Daffy Duck, but successfully) and distractable by awesome things (who wouldn't be? Awesome things are so cool!). Aside from my weaker points, I'm also honest, forthright, caring, loving, kind, and awesome.
Oh, I am mortally petrified of parasites.

I'm a larger fellow, 6'5" with a general build that resembles a linebacker, but I'm not a hard man. I prefer being soft and cuddly (think giant stuffed bear). Generally bearded, with a reasonable hair cut (it's brown, FYI). I wear glasses, and I'm blue eyed.
I dress relatively simply — jeans or shorts, t-shirt, and if I'm feeling it, an open button up shirt over top. I am typically in sandals (but I avoid socks with sandals like I avoid parasites), but I have been known to put sneakers on on occasion. This doesn't mean that I can't be dressy, though; I do own a suit, and several very nice shirts, and several ties. I have been known to clean up really well when I want to.
Both my ears are pierced, but I generally only have one earring in at a time. I am untattooed.
Culturally, I'm Canadian, but racially I am Irish-French, with a bit of Scottish thrown in.

Some College

I have attended Seaway District High School, where I managed to make it through some of my better and worse memories. I also attended Algonquin College in Ottawa for a year, studying animation, where I realized that I had grander ideas; hence my move to the University of Windsor, where I've been majoring in English, Computer Science, and minoring in Math and Visual Arts.

I am currently a student, embarking on my fifth year of university in an attempt to graduate with two degrees: one in English Literature and one in Computer Science. I love language and reading, and I love the flexibility and power to play with things that are even greater than just one person.
Ultimately, I'd like to be able to work in a field that merges both my love of English, computers, and learning, without ending up working as just a technical writer or technology-related news reporter. I have plenty of ideas on interesting technological advances that would not only accentuate the education and creative markets, but also enhance their capabilities and efficiency, while opening up huge options to people who may have never even considered it possible, especially in the education sector.

My work life has been very scattered, but mostly in the service and retail industry up until now. I have worked for Staples: The Business Depot as a furniture associate, Future Shop as an "Information Product Group Product Expert", as a line cook in a diner, as a newspaper reporter for the Winchester Press, as a system administrator and creative consultant for Timepiece Studios (which I also own too, so I guess I kind of do everything it does), a "store set-up technician" for Wal-Mart (which means I helped change a Wal-Mart into a Wal-Mart Superstore; I got to wear a hard-hat and steel-toe boots too), and for a brief time, I also worked for Radio Shack (before it became "The Source by Circuit City") as a sales associate.

My family is about as typical as they can get: I have a sister who's three years my junior, and my mom and my dad have been married for 26 years this July. I love them, and they're very supportive, despite the fact that sometimes I can try their patience.
My sister's currently in university studying Environmental Science and Biology, and my mom is an ex-early childhood educator and ex-graphic designer. I take mostly after my father, though, who studied electrical engineering in university but has been a sales guy for as long as I know. He's taught me a huge amount regarding computers, technology, and electronics (in addition to astronomy, trains, life, cooking, music, film, business, and almost everything else I know), and while my knowledge of computers and technology may have surpassed his over the years, I still owe a lot to his time, effort, and patience in teaching me the fundamentals.

I love tablet computing, almost obsessively: I believe firmly that tablets are the future of mobile computing, and the form factor will evolve closer and closer to digital paper. That's why I believe the iPad is a disgrace to the tablet name -- it is first and foremost an extension of Apple's media consumption business; however, that is a discussion for another time.
I also love art, especially contemporary art, in all the guises you can find it. Comics, video games, music, films, television, literature, and hypertext are all passions of mine, for both consumption and production. I love drawing, and I love telling stories; it's all about fostering a love for adventure and exploring the imagination, in my books.
As far as hobbies go, I have a few: I am a software and development hobbyist, hardware enthusiast, maker-in-training, and I love games; not just video games, but also table-top wargaming and board games. Outside of video gaming, I love strategy, and I love the interaction that you can get with your peers over something like Scrabble, Risk, Warhammer 40,000, and Magic: The Gathering. While I don't collect the cards (I used to, but it's become a rather large set of cards to toy around with, not to mention the fact that it's expensive) I do enjoy MTG as a game, and will play via the computer with my friends.
I have played and run Dungeons and Dragons games as well (THAC0 is still the best way of doing combat...I wish they hadn't attempted to "simplify" it), but recently I haven't been able to find a regular group to play with.
I'm also an amateur photographer. Most of my experience with photography comes from my prior journalist experience, but I'm learning to see through a viewfinder with a creative eye, rather than an informative eye. Photojournalism is cool though.

I had a fairly close-knit group of friends from my childhood — while most of us have gone our separate ways, the vast majority of us still stay in contact from time to time. They've been there through thick and thin, and despite some terrible things that happened in the group, we've still managed to stay close.
Currently I have a few close friends I've met in university, ones that are fun to talk to, and I can be honest with. Most of them are fellow computer nerds, and our humour and personalities are fairly similar. I do enjoy hanging out with them, but some days I get that feeling that I'll have trouble finding any friends that match those I grew up with. I guess that's always the way it is, right?
We generally hang out in the computer science laboratory, playing cards, chatting, or working on whatever projects have our fancy, have been asked to do by clients, or schoolwork. We get excited about interesting things in math, computers, and brand-new ideas or concepts that we've just discovered.
There's also a weekly game or movie night every Friday, which I like to participate in. We play all sorts of games, from Warhammer 40,000 — one of my personal favourites — to Cards Against Humanity, to Magic: The Gathering, to Pictionary; and when there's a movie night, it's generally any sort of movie that most nerds would get behind, such as Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Tron, Monty Python films, Darren Aronofsky films, and all other sorts of movies.
All in all, it's pretty much a blast, and I couldn't ask for anything more out of my friends. That's the point, right?

I would love to meet someone who's passionate about what they do; ultimately that's the biggest criteria on my list. I would like someone who has at least some cross-over interests; it's hard to found a relationship between two people that have nothing in common.
I am looking for a partner though — a companion, if you will. Life is an adventure, and adventures are no fun alone. Who would you grab/be grabbed by when you're in danger? Who would you laugh about a harrowing escape with? Who would be there to watch your back, or who would be there to give you ideas you had never considered? That, in a nutshell, is what I am looking for: the person I can trust beyond a shadow of a doubt to be there in the light times, and in the dark times. The Rose Tyler to my Doctor, or the Padmé to my Anakin — wait, that's a bad example, isn't it? Honestly, I don't want to Force Grip you after you give me away to my former master after I turn to the dark side. That's a) bad PR, and b) probably not all that healthy for our relationship. Okay, let's stick to the Rose to my Doctor analogy. Yeah, that's a good one. I promise not to let you vanish into an alternative dimension just shortly after we've defeated all the Cybermen and Daleks. Promise.
Oh, and I would love to meet Karen Gillian; she's gorgeous, cute, funny, and she got to play one of the Companions on Doctor Who.

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I drink on rare occasions, but not to excess when I do. I don't believe in abusing drugs — with the exception of nicotine and caffeine, but I have gotten control of my caffeine habit, and I am attempting to do the same with nicotine — and alcohol is no exception. I have known a number of people who's lives have been significantly altered and worsened by their abuse of alcohol, and I would prefer to not go down that path.
A few glasses of wine or a few bottles of beer every so often, however, is perfectly reasonable.

I personally love meat. I believe firmly in balanced diets, which suits our genetic disposition toward being an omnivorous species; however, if you chose to eat an unbalanced diet — such as primarily vegetarian, vegan, or "meatarian", go right ahead. Just don't expect me to follow.

For the most part, I do not approve of drug use. I've had a few friends who have run into trouble — not only legal trouble, but also trouble with their own personal lives — through the use of drugs. I am saddened when people get lost to drugs and the world that they bring with them; however, on occasion, provided it is not abused and treated with the same reverency and diligence alcohol is treated with, marijuana is acceptable for recreational purposes. Though, when it becomes a daily habit it becomes a problem.

I love the geek chic look — think David Tennant — but I sport the typical contemporary computer nerd look (not the 60s/70s/80s pocket protector, broken glasses, button-up shirt, and pants too short for the legs look); I dress pretty casually, with a t-shirt, jeans or shorts, and an unbuttoned shirt over top. Pretty basic, really; however, I do sport sandals for most of the year, and a wide-brimmed felt fedora with the sides curled up. They're a part of my image.
I'd love to get my hands on a pair of Vibram Five Fingers, though.

I personally am not as fit as I would like, but I am in the process of changing that. I do believe a fit body leads to a fit mind, and a longer life to boot. I bike or walk everywhere, and I love playing ultimate frisbee and swimming; sadly, I do not really do enough of the latter.

I believe a shower a day will keep the smells away; however, sometimes, two are needed. I also brush my teeth once a day, and I really need to start getting into the habit of brushing twice a day.
Oh, and deodorant is a necessity. I like smelling nice, rather than like body odour.

Love them, and love their potential. Kids sometimes have the best insight into situations.
I will eventually want my own, after I'm married and my life is stable: the idea of raising kids while I am still an undergraduate student really scares me. I'm also not too keen on the idea of having to raise another man's children; when I do eventually marry, I would like to have my own.

I love pets: extra family members are always awesome and cool. I'm honestly more of a cat person, but given the opportunity to meet and become attached to the right dog, I'd love it forever.
I don't do snakes or rodents, though. Something about the snake's lack of legs and a rodent's tail bother me.

Oh, politics: how I am so utterly enthralled but repulsed by you. If I need categorization along the typical political scales, I am economically moderate, and socially liberal, with a bit of libertarian tossed in there for good measure. My views are fairly complex, as is the contemporary political landscape, and as such it's rather hard to accurately describe them in a one-sided dissertation. It needs to be in conversation, something fluid and malleable, with other participants.
I do not approve of the current global political landscape, though. I feel that the competition and fractured governing of this world, while once beneficial to progress, is now wrapped in so much bureaucracy that it actually stymies progress. The world needs to adapt to a global atmosphere: the uptake of the Internet has forced that issue.
I also believe government needs to be open, and for the benefit of the people: I believe in the social government idea, and it pains me that today's governments are too inflexible to deal with the rapid rate of change that began during the Industrial Revolution.

My thoughts on religion are fairly simple: you have your own faith, I have mine — or lack of it, rather. Don't push it upon me, don't proselytize to me, don't try to convert me.
I have studied comparative religion in earlier years: I do know about the practices and beliefs, generally, of other cultures. It's not the same knowledge base that I would have if I had dedicated my life to studying one particular religion, and as such I don't claim to know everything; however, I do know enough to discuss the differences and similarities between religions and faiths of the more common religions. Sadly, I am a little fuzzy on Sikhism and Zoroastrinism, but I am learning.

Sadly, I do smoke off and on — I hate it, I need to quit, and it's very hard to stop. I've used it as an emotional crutch — terrible, I know — for the past four years, and when things start to go south, I tend to go right back to it. I'm working on cutting it out of my life, and I hope to do so by the end of the summer.
If you do smoke, however, it doesn't bother me. While I'm smoking, it's fine, but when I've quit, don't expect to snog me until after a brushing of the teeth and mouth wash.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to quit?

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