My Geek Creds

"But why YOU??? Aren't there better-looking geeks we can send?"

I've been a geek ever since I was a kid. And yes, I've suffered all the geek shame. But now it's cool to be a geek!!!

When I was in high school solving Ribik's Cube and meeting with the Computer Club, trust me there were no hot groupies hanging around. At the Sci Fi conventions there were a few hot chicks - dressed up as Red Sonja or the Orion Slave girl - but they were usually draped over the arm of Conan or Captain Kirk.

Not Mr Spock :-(

So here are some of the Geek Creds I've amassed over the years:

1. Have converted an osciliscope to a TV so I could watch soap operas in my electronics lab.


2. Solved Rubic's Cube in under 20 seconds.


3. Own an "almost complete" collection of PKD novels and story collections, including an original Ace Double Novel "The Unteleported Man".


4. I have the speling skills of a professional engineer.


5. I've programmed professionally in APL, GE Relay-Ladder-Diagramming (for industrial control systems), FORTRAN, COBOL, ABL, Object Pascal, and many other languages you've never heard of.


6. I've no idea how I got it ("I swear, Officer") but I own the original Laser Floyd poster from the ROM Planitarium.


7. "Live long and prosper" (I can do the Vulcan hand thing).

And many more!!!

And now I'm indoctrinating my kids the world of geekdom. I've introduced my son to Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov, and my daughter to the world of Star Trek.

And both my kids can recite all the lines to every sketch from the "Holy Grail". (And have done so at school, much to the delight of their teachers.)

I'm the Geek for this job!!!

Why Me?

"How are you qualified for this job? Are you a marine biologist or oceanographer?"

When I first heard about this job I knew that it was my destiny!!! I put together a 1-minute video describing all my skills and qualifications (with some "helpful" comments from my kids) and then I took a peek at a few videos from some of the folks who've already applied.

Well, there are about 15,500 marine biologists and oceanographers and PADI-certified dive instructors in the world, and every single one of them is applying for this job!!!

I'm just a regular guy (and computer geek).

But, I'm also a member of the target market for this whole campaign!!! "Loves the outdoors, active, loves to travel ..." I realized that what Tourism Queensland needs for this position is a spokesman for all the potential Australia tourists out there in the world. Someone who can explore the islands, learn to dive in the Great Barrier Reef, discover the local flora and fauna and activities, and can take the world along on the adventure.

"Awesome, I can do that!!!"

And I'm entertaining as well. Or at least, what happens to me is entertaining. Or at least, it's entertaining to others (and me too, once enough time has passed that I can "look back and laugh"). On my recent Peru trip I was tear-gassed by the police in Lima, had severe altitude sickness (and persevered!!!), suffered vehicle breakdowns on the way to and from Machu Picchu ...

I ditched my first lame video and - with a guest appearance by my awesome kids - I believe I've put something together that puts forward the case for ME for the BJitW. (And incidentally, also demonstrates my superior "modern media" capabilities. When you watch my video, if you find yourself saying "He spent a WHOLE hour on this POS???", rest assured you won't be alone.)

Wouldn't you like the opportunity to laugh along with me on my next adventure?

Vote for me for the Best Job in the World.