Interests & Physical Pursuits

I compete in Powerlifting.  What does that mean?  Powerlifters complete their one rep max for each of the bench press, squat and deadlift, and the total of the three is your “score”.  Then scores are compared to others in your division to determine a winner.   Divisions are broken down by weight class and age.  I’ve been competing now for over 16 years.  And I’m a current holder of a few state records, the bench press and the squat in the 198 weight class, Master II age group. And I’m still going.  I’ve dropped a weight class, and am working towards competing again in 2025.

Pretty generic title, huh?  I don’t know how else to describe it.  I do (very basic) graphic design and production with my 3D printer.  I usually even paint what I produce.  I’ve made figures for gaming, Christmas ornaments, and even very practical tools.  I’ve recently taken up carpentry, and just need to get my own tools.  I have a project list of things I want to build.  

I also like to cook, so we’ll call that “making food”.  Everything from healthy, protein packed meals to baked goods that will break any diet in half.  Homemade anything is better than a commercial version, so I’ll try making anything.  

Huge Philadelphia Eagles fan.  Planning to see them play live this year.  There’s nothing like a live football game, especially surrounded by 70,000 Eagles fans.

While football is the only sport I really enjoy watching, I enjoying playing just about anything.  My favorites are basketball (my 3 pointer is deadly), Taekwondo (WTF 1st Dan), and of course Powerlifting.  But I’m at least competent in most sports (softball, volleyball, soccer, ping pong, bowling…), just not golf.  Don’t ask me to golf with you, we’ll all regret it.

Give me a good sci-fi, action, or comedy, and I’m usually content.  I stay up on my Marvel movies, and will watch all Star Wars and Lord of the Rings content.  And any good movie on outer space.

My taste in music is a little less clear.  I don’t even have a favorite genre anymore.  My favorite artists are Tech N9ne (rap), Dance with the Dead (rock/electro),  Infected Mushroom (trance?), and Dua Lipa (pop).  I guess I just know good music when I hear it.

So in a lot of ways, I’m a total nerd.  Yeah, I lift heavy weights and like sports, but I absolutely enjoy videos, books, and general learning about many topics in the world of science.  

My favorite documentary series?  Planet Earth (by far!).  My favorite scientific discipline?  Astronomy, without a question.  I got unusually excited when the James Webb Space Telescope launched.  And I can spend hours listening to videos on cutting edge astronomical and astrophysics discoveries.  Just be careful starting a conversation with me about the existence of dark matter, or some of the problems in quantum physics.  I might talk your ear off.

Most people say traveling is one of their passions.  I look at it slightly differently.  I prefer to think of it as exploring.  So what is the difference?

I love the beach and camping.  But when I go, I don’t just set up a tent and relax.  I walk to the end of the beach to see what’s there (you would be surprised what you can find).  I hike off trail to see what else is out there..  I’ve found amazing, private, unique places this way, places I would not have found had I just showed up.  And I've totally gotten way lost too...but that's another story for another day.  I enjoy traveling, but only if I can really explore my destination.  Not just be there.