Simon Paul Travaglia
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking what devastating illness has struck me to make my hair so grey, yet still leave my facial expression ravaged by absence of a smile. To which I can only reply: Get Stuffed. Or perhaps you're wondering just how many coke bottles they had to melt down to make my glasses from the first photo, in which case you can still get stuffed.
Born Hamilton, New Zealand in November '64, #2 of 7 kids: Lisa, Simon, Dennis, Gina, Maria, Kerri, Paula.
What I do
In 1993 I wound up as an Analyst/Programmer with the Information and Technology Services Department of the University of Waikato.
Around the end of 1995, I became more of a Systems Admin for Waikato's AIX machines (no geek talk please) which is more or less an ok job.
In September 1999, I became Team Leader of Systems and Development at the University of Waikato after the previous bloke left in search of money and the hair that used to be on top of his head.
This basically means that I run a brace of geeks. Nice enough sorts, no real complaints.
Ancient History
I was in Operations for years and years at Waikato University and for a year Enterprise Oil PLC in London, which was a pretty cool place to work, all things considered.
What I do
My personal interests are Computing, Photography, Television, Film and Media. My musical interests are fairly diverse, but I'm still not old or sad enough to appreciate classical music. Perhaps next year.
I like comedy of all sorts, mostly the "newer wave" British Stuff: "Comic Strip Presents..", "Bottom", with a penchant for UK quiz shows like "They think it's all over", "Have I got news for you" and "Never mind the Buzzcocks". Not that we get those quiz shows here in NZ.
I'd like to spend at least one month a year travelling. (spending money allowing). This rarely happens. I'm over it.
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One of my personal aims is to aquire all the Pentax K1000 cameras in the world. Everyone needs something to aspire to. K1000s, great cameras. I'd also like to lay my hands on all the copies of the three above UK quiz shows as the "Best of" compilation tapes do not do them enough justice.
You've been good and I think I know you enough to open up to you. My personal shortcomings are: 98% of the time I don't have the patience for photography and nothing annoys me more than a pointless meeting. A pointless meeting, by the way, is generally any meeting that cannot be concluded in under an hour.
If you have some of the above mentioned UK quiz game shows (videoed from TV, I have all the bought ones) and are feeling particularly generous you could mail it/them to me at P.O. Box 13018, Hamilton, New Zealand.
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Favourite Quotes
- "I'm just this guy you know?", Zaphod Beeblebrox, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
- "People like Blood Sausage too. People are Morons!", Phil Connors, Groundhog Day
- "Never, Ever, Bloody Anything, Ever!", Mr Jolly Lives Next Door
- "A man's gotta know his limitations", Dirty Harry
- "We all got it coming, kid", William Munny, Unforgiven
- "He's as sharp as a science teacher's cardy", Rimmer, Red Dwarf
- "There's nothing you can do to make God love you less. There's nothing you can do to make God love you more.", Various People
