Hobbies
Tabletop Gaming
My good friend Peter Lytle introduced me to tabletop gaming around 2005. Though I’ve watched people play many of the diffent games, there are two that I actually enjoy playing.
Warhammer 40,000 – W40K, as it’s often abbreviated, is my favorite of the tabletap battle games. Purging alien scum from the face of the galaxy, while commanding the mighty Space Marines of the Adeptus Astartes, is just simply an enjoyable thing to do. I have a ludicrously large collection of models and fortunately, several of my friends are happy to see them put to use in the occasional game.
Warmachine – Warmachine is a steampunk battle game in which giant robots and their sorcerous masters pound each other into oblivion. The game is much simpler to play than W40K, but I find it lacks the sense of epicness instilled by its counterpart. Still, there are few things more satisfying than standing on the brink of defeat, only to assasinate the enemy caster and win the game.
Outdoors Pursuits
Being a technology specialist, it’s true that I spend the majority of my time indoors. Fortunately for me, between my family and my Boy Scout troop, I developed a healthy appreciation for the outdoors.
Camping – Over the years, I’ve gone camping with my family and Boy Scout troop many times. I would say my favorite place to camp would be Harris Beach, near Brookings, OR.
Backpacking – As a former member of the Boy Scouts of America, I’ve gone on more than my fair share of backpacking trips. So far, I’ve done 50 mile hikes in Yosemite National Park (CA) twice, Mt. Ranieir National Park (WA), Philmont Scout Ranch (NM) and the Three Sisters Wilderness (OR). I’ve also been on numerous smaller hikes throughout Oregon, Washington and California.
Snowboarding – While I don’t get to go as often as I would like, snowboarding is definitely a favorite winter pastime of mine. I have my own board and gear, so it’s not too expensive, but I really wish there was a mountain a bit closer than Bend, OR.