I am by nature a very curious person, and always enjoy a challenge. My fascination with new concepts and applications of them usually leads to independent research on the particular subject. I most enjoy finding practical applications of new ideas and putting them to use. Near the end of my college career, I began to delve into analog and digital electronics. My current interests are in using microcontrollers to maniplate various control system functions on my car. Beyond this curiosity, I also enjoy interacting with other people and working as a part of a team. I am by nature competitive, and often assume leadership positions in group projects. If I had to describe my leadership style, it would be as follows, "I can have people do what I ask of them, and still respect me when it is done." It is not always easy to lead a group and keep members working cooperatively. I have very strong interpersonal skills, and enjoy the social challenges provided by teamwork as much as the technical aspects of the project being worked on.

My primary hobby that has led me to discover many others is my car; a 1991 BMW 318iS. I purchased it in 2000, paying for it myself. I have done a great deal of work on it over the past years (some necessary, some not). My other site is all about the E30 BMW 318iS. Click the link to the bottom-left to go back to the navigation portal, then go to the "E30" section.

Web and grpahic design are some of my other hobbies. I (obviously) have managed to keep-up on them. Though I enjoy the paper & pencil much of the time, my main creative outlet is through CAD. Spitting out design concepts for parts or layouts into CAD is my favorite way of releasing my creativity. As far as web-languages, I am primarily familiar with HTML & CSS, with a little experience in PhP. A relatively recent interest of mine has been in microcontroller applications. I taught myself PIC assembly and designed circuits for various purposes. One of my larger projects included an analog signal converter for use on my car. I converted from a volumetric-flow-based air meter to a mass-flow-based one, using analog and digital electronics to accomplish this. To troubleshoot the device, I constructed a 6 channel, 6000 sample per second data logger that could interface with a PC via the serial port. Using Visual Basic, I wrote a front-end to collect this data and then plotted it in Microsoft Excel for analysis. More can be read about this HERE.

Physical activity is another great interest of mine. Whether it be in the gym or climbing outdoors, I always enjoy a physical challenge. Being involved with the University of the Pacific's Theater program was another interest of mine. I have took a keen interest in assisting the production crew in the construction of sets for plays and other activities. Hands-on work environments are my favorite type.

Some other hobbies of mine are climbing, playing with PIC Microcontrollers, mountain biking & backpacking. I spent 8 years in the Boy Scouts (earning the rank of Eagle Scout), and went on many backpacking excursions all over the state of California. One of my more notable trips was an 8 day canoeing trip in Minnesota in the Boundary Waters Wilderness. I enjoy mountain biking a great deal as well. The outdoors has always been one of my favorite places to go when I need to "unwind."