Hobbies
Computers
I guess this one goes without saying.... I love computers and networking especially. I was on the Internet in 1994 and haven't stopped! I started with a 9600 baud modem connected to a local BBS that had a gateway to the Internet. I started with a text only interface on a LINUX shell account; what fun! :)
I used all the usual "computers" back in the day: Commodore 64, Atari 400, Timex Sinclair and the like. I played games, and programmed some in basic. I was always more intrigued about how they worked and how I could make them run better by tweaking every last feature. I got my first PC for my birthday in 1984 I think it was. It was a Compaq 286. I learned DOS on that sucker and was really hooked. Again I always liked configuring it and getting every last ounce of usability out of it. It was my way to relax.
Photography
With the advent of the digital camera my interest in photography has taken off. I enjoyed photography with my film camera, but never liked getting film developed to find out the photos were garbage. With digital there is instant feedback on the LCD screen so you can mess with the settings until you get it right. Have a look at the photos link at the right to see some of my photos.
I currently shoot with a Nikon D70 and have an assortment of lenses and an external speedlight. The camera goes everywhere with me. As you will see it's been on roller coasters, airplanes, and lots of other places.
Electronics
I started my career in the electronics field. I attended DeVry and graduated with a diploma as an Electronics technician in 1992. I am very good at troubleshooting and can perform component level repair of all kinds of stuff. My first real job was at ACC in Holmdel fixing mostly two-way radios. I really enjoyed fixing radio equipment, but the compensation wasn't so good. Just by working at my jobs I always was the in house computer person too. I got to setup and administer small networks. It was fun, so I soon got my MCSE on NT 4.0 and got a as a PC Technician. I've progressed to being a Network Administrator in charge of a small department and have a fairly large International WAN to take care of.
I still work on things. Mostly I modify my audio and video equipment. I'll take the cover off a new $1400.00 SACD/DVD player in an instant and replace the 30 cent OP AMPS with some nice 30 dollar ones. While I'm at it why not add a few filter caps and replace the cheep electrolytics with some nice Black Gates ones? Scary huh? It really does sound much better after I'm done. Tweaking and mods of A/V equiptment is a lot of rewarding fun.
Mountain Biking
I haven't been riding as much as I used to, but I still enjoy it. I plan on getting some new tires this spring and hitting the dirt!
Gardening
Tomatoes, I love growing them! There is nothing like a nice red tomatoe picked off the vine. I usually grow some cukes and peppers. Some years I'll thrown in some string beans or broccoli too! I have a nice herb garden also. You need the basil to go with the tomatoes. Christine plants all the flowers around the house, I can't take credit for those.