(written in April, 2002, sitting on a bench at Elizabethtown College, enjoying the creative inspiration of the beautiful campus while I worked on my application to Patrick Henry College. That day, I chose to attend Elizabethtown instead)

I am interested in anything that is interesting. Eclecticity seeps into my brain much more easily than the thunderingly similar data of a single concentrated topic area. Though I tend to gravitate towards computer, science, and math information, I will just as likely find an article on a political, religious, or historical topic just as interesting as an article on how astronauts keep their Coke fizzy in space or a book on how public key encryption works.

My interests are gauged by how much time I spend in each of them. I spend time on my personal relationship with Christ (greatest interest), computing, writing, performing trumpet, and cycling, in order.

Though I do not spend most of my daily time actively engaging in monastic exercises of personal study and reflection, or even in what would popularly be considered religious activity, I have determined to mold my entire life, moment by moment, in a way that is pleasing to God. This is my greatest interest.

The second-most done activity in my life is computing, as it is currently my job. I do try to spend some time off the clock exercising this interest, but if allowed free in the wild, it would probably take third place to the next interest: writing.

I enjoy writing very much. My writing topics and style tend to match my eclecticity, though I enjoy the role of an essayist-poet most of all. I have written many instructional articles, though I have lately stayed away from them due to my over-exercise of that area of writing. I enjoy poetry, and while few poets ever put bread on the table and write substantial amounts of poetry, I am not motivated by anything primarily for money and find poetry an expressive way to communicate things that prose is unable to.

I have played the trumpet since the end of third grade and have become fairly accomplished at it. Music is important to me, and I find the practicing every day to be a satisfying relaxation.

When I have time to ride my bicycle, I do. At one point, I used to actively train and race, when I came out of obesity and worked more diligently on my physique than I am now. I still train, but you won't see me win any of the informal meets each Tuesday any more. But cycling provides another extra physical relaxation, despite the intensity of exertion, and I always feel refreshed, relaxed, and motivated after a good ride.

I can never tell when I will be interested in something. But that is what makes life an interesting hodgepodge of many facts, experiences, activities, and lessons.