On a personal note... I've already mentioned I'm a consultant and a graduate student at Cornell University. I do of course find the time to maintain a few personal interests and activities.

Sports. I was a two sport athlete in college (track and soccer) so sports in one way or another will always be quite important to me. At one time I competed at close to the highest level in each of my sports, but now I am firmly planted in the ex-athlete category. To fill that void, I help coach long jumpers and triple jumpers at Cornell (they're the best in the nation, check them out) and play a lot of tennis. And of course tune the tv appropriately whenever the Yankees or New York Football Giants are playing.

Food & Wine. Vice? Obsession? Hobby? Call it what you like, but creating and/ or eating a world class meal and enjoying great wine can't be beat. I can't say that I have a favorite food or even a favorite cuisine, but at Chateau John Paul I typically serve Mediterranean and California-influened fare. My wine tastes vary with time and span the globe, but at the moment it's all about California for me; my current favorites include Pride, Carlisle (dig the web site? I made it!), Sine Qua Non, Loring, Kosta Browne, and Quilceda Creek (OK, QC comes from WA). I also enjoy a good brew, particularly if it's hopped to the point of melting faces; favorites include Dogfish Head (90 and 120 minute IPA!), Port Brewing, and Stone. And I can't forget coffee, whether it's pulling shots on my La Pavoni or being spoiled beyond belief by the artistry of Gimme! Coffee.

Conservation. I devote as much of my professional time as possible to developing software to support animal conservation efforts. I work with amazing folks like Bob Lacy, Phil Miller, and Philip Nyhus developing software models to help researchers stave off the decline of populations of countless threatened and endangered species. Some day I will be rewarded with a trip to Namibia to play with model populations of cheetahs.

Photography. A relatively new "serious" activity for me, photography is something I have had an interest in for quite some time, but lacked the free time and spare cash to really get into. I've added a link to my photography site; I'm not a professional by trade or anything like that, but I shoot a lot of photos, and some of them turn out well and people buy them.