Dr Spaceman wrote:Spoiler:Well I realize I missed the introduction phase by several months, but I figured if Moonbeam can do his I can do mine. I figure I've been around here enough lately that people might actually care who I am.
Born and raised in Chicago, I'll be 22 years old in about 3 weeks. I spent my freshman and sophomore years at Indiana University, but had to duck when I realized paying $50K a year for an undergrad degree wasn't worth it. Loved the atmosphere there, and I wish I could've stayed, but I've got a future to consider, ya know? So I moved back to my hometown, currently going to a cheap state school to finish my degree. I'm double majoring in Chemistry and Psychology and assist in the Psych research lab at my university. Planning to get right into medical school right after I graduate. I've wanted to be a physician at least since I was 10, and the more I've learned about the profession as I grew the more convinced I became. I'm a total science nerd, and I think the human body is totally rad. And I'm really thankful I have the talent to pursue something like this and fulfill my dream.
I'm a pretty shy/reserved guy in my personal life (probably a good trait given my proclivity to research labs and studying), not the type of guy to spend the weekends partying. I'm a big reader, currently working on the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series; other favorites include Freakonomics and anything by Dickens. My all-time favorite show is Community (the GOAT, inarguably. Give it a shot). It's also where the quote in my sig is from. Also love Arrested Development, Lost, and Sunny in Philadelphia.
Started playing basketball in 7th grade, but never really reached my potential in school because I was the tallest guy on the team and thus was shoehorned into playing Center despite my tiny frame and poor footwork. I'm a 6'4" (in shoes) 170 pound white guy, so I had to make my living on the perimeter. These days I play the 2/3, and I specialize in a Goran Dragic type slashing game. Decent shooter, okay playmaker, great foul-drawer, sometimes make the most bone-headed plays you've ever seen. I play pickup and a few tournaments, hoping to get into a rec league over the summer.
I started watching the NBA seriously circa 2005, and naturally the Suns and Mavs became my favorite teams instantly. Dirk is still my favorite player, and I'm making a point to see him play in person before he retires. Grew up watching the Bulls in the mid-90s, I was a very emotional fan for a 3 year old. I've kind of outgrown my fanhood by now, in a process remarkably similar to what Zach Lowe describes here: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-l ... of-fandom/ I just enjoy watching every team and every player too much to really have an emotional attachment to any particular team. These days I watch ball when I can and spend too much time on RealGM. Maybe I'll consider getting into writing at some point, if it's in the cards.
The most important thing I do, bar far, is my volunteer work. Every summer, winter, and sporadically in between, I work as a counselor at a camp for children with cancer. It's the most rewarding experience I've ever had, and words can't even describe how meaningful this place is to me. It's a place I've met my best friends, a place I've fallen in love, and a place that I've laughed and cried at more than any other. Cancer sounds like a drag, but I assure you that every summer there is the most fun I've ever had in my life. We play sports, go swimming, camp out, and do basically everything under the sun to give these kids an experience they couldn't otherwise have with their medical issues. And the kids there are my biggest inspiration. Here's a video if you want to learn a little more about it (one of my good friends is the narrator at the beginning): http://vimeo.com/113307837
Jarring change of pace: my screen name is the name of a character on the show 30 Rock. Mostly I chose it because I love the dichotomy of calling someone "doctor", a reverential title, followed by a ridiculous name like "Spaceman". Good stuff.
Good stuff, thanks for sharing. Good luck with all the future plans; hope it all works out as you'd like it to (but roll with the punches if it doesn't).
wrt to trivial matters: Speaking for myself, Community is not the GOAT (M*A*S*H FTW!!), but Community may get my vote for the most purely funny show of all-time. I literally lol'ed (and I don't throw out the ole' "lol" lightly) EVERY SINGLE EPISODE, especially in the first two seasons. Am rewatching the occasional episode, and find myself consistently lol'ing again on the second watch.
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