30

I am on indefinite leave from the doctoral program in neuroscience at the University of Texas at Dallas. On a whim, I ditched the Big D and moved into a warehouse in Phoenix with a bunch of people from the body modification scene. Since then I have landed a job as a research associate at Alcor Life Extension Foundation AND a position as adjunct faculty in biology at Mesa Community College.

Six months have passed since I arrived in Phoenix. I have moved out of the warehouse and onto Stony Mountain Ranch, where I abide in a hand-built stone house on the Phoenix Mountains Preserve. Hiking and horses. What more could you ask for?

Lately I've been doing the opposite of whatever my natural tendency might be in a given situation. This usually amounts to forcing myself to face people under circumstances I'd rather avoid. For example, this strategy recently caused me to answer "yes" to the question "would you like to be a nude model for an art class?" instead of screaming "no!" and running in the other direction.

I take great pride in having nearly limitless patience, but people who test it too often get relegated to the shit list. I am extremely level-headed (my best friends describe me as "grounded") and adept at seeing both the big and little pictures. I strive to be multidisciplinary. In my opinion, genius is the ability to make (hitherto unseen) connections between ideas, often from separate fields. I know that I am smart, but so far I have yet to prove myself any sort of genius.

I am interested in improving humanity and the human body through innovative research and technology. If you have ever wondered if it is possible to become more human (more evolved) in a directed sense, you are my kind of thinker. If you are actively involved in this process you are my kind of doer, as well.

I'm way too educated for my own damn good, but mostly make use of it. I have made my living as a research scientist, teacher, writer, horse-carriage driver, and a manager of tattoo studios. I am especially useful at assisting others in realizing their goals.

I recently lived by myself in an extremely small apartment in ghetto Dallas with two dogs and a cat for quite some time, and slaved away in a neurophysiology lab for up to 16 hours a day with a bunch of Republicans. After spending a month in Europe over Christmas I finally determined to change my situation.

I like change and adventure. My saving grace is my adaptability, though I never seem to fit in anywhere I go. I wear no particular style of dress, am comfortable discussing any topic, and do not seek a certain type of person as a friend or lover. I toe about a million lines all the time, and it suits me just fine.

I particularly care about: science and science education; transhumanism and the naturalistic worldview; writin' confusing metaphors and makin' beautiful music; and, perhaps most importantly, boundary-pushing.

What can I say, I'm a strange bird.