Flying helicopters, flying airplanes (my Bonanza), flying gyroplanes (soon!), flying any-damn-thing-really, developing business ideas, filmmaking, videography, software development (C/C++/CGI/sockets/win32/game development/machine vision/etc), web development (ActionScript3/Flex/PHP), microcontrollers/electronics, playing drums (I'm a complete hack, but it's fun), inventing and all that goes with it (science, business, marketing, problem-solving, etc.)
Music
Tom Cochrane (#1 life-long fan), Rush (Neil Peart rules all), most 80's rock, southern rock, classical piano (Debussy, Chopin), smooth jazz (Rippingtons, etc.) -- intensely dislike country. Newfound appreciation for soul/jazz/blue...especially Ray Charles. I have been listening to tons of Ray lately. I can appreciate live bluegrass, but wouldn't play it in my car.
Movies
Back To The Future (Part 1), the 1st Matrix movie, Last Samurai, October Sky, X-Men (all of them), Superman II, Cinderella Man, The Right Stuff, Enter the Dragon, Independence Day, Last Starfighter, TRON, Pan's Labyrinth...etc. etc. etc. This list changes all the time.
In general, I like anything entertaining. I gravitate to Sci-Fi when it doesn't suck. Most SF should be categorized as fantasy (Star Wars, for example), with a complete lack of "science". Yes, I'm a nerd. Ender's Game is GOOD Sci-Fi, it will make a good movie someday (I hope.)
Television
HEROES (Best damn show on TV), Jimmy Neutron, FOX news, 4400, Cops, Donny Deutsch (CNBC), On The Money (CNBC).
Books
Most Heinlein before he became senile (Tunnel in the Sky is my favorite), Ghost Rider (Neil Peart's book), Ender's Game, Harry Potter series...read more non-fiction than anything, i.e. books on programming, inventing, and business mostly.
Heroes
My dad (R.I.P. 1/21/2001): A poet, entrepreneur, my frequent co-pilot, and young-at-heart until the day he died.
Gen. Chuck Yeager: A fellow West Virginian who would later risk his life to break the sound barrier, which at the time people thought was impossible. His courage and fortitude are legend.
Tom Cochrane: A philosopher, storyteller, and pure musician. A fellow pilot also.
Neil Peart: Most know him as the awesome drummer for the band 'Rush'...for me, he's that but also the most naturally gifted writer I've ever read. His prose reads almost like poetry without being pretentious. He's a true renaissance man, and the inspiration behind my recent acquisition of a BMW R1200GS motorcycle.
My mom: A philosopher, a damn fine cook, and very smart.
My wife: A tireless worker, gifted writer, and uncompromising mother to my daughter, who is the bright center of the universe. The most unflawed person I know.
Craig Galley: My former boss and the greatest software engineer and one of the smartest people I've ever known. And a damn nice guy.
Andy Thyssen: My business partner, a super-genius and super-nice guy. One day, everyone will know his name, much the same as we know Edison or Einstein now. Yes, he's that smart.
Homer Hickam: A fellow dreamer from the foothills of southern WV with the vision to see farther than the hills in front of him.
About me: I'm a self-employed software engineer. My hobbies are electronics, web development, inventing, filmmaking, motorcycling, SCUBA, and flying airplanes and helicopters (and soon gyroplanes also.) I beat on the drums for fun, and have played in a bunch of bands since I was 16...but now it is just for fun and exercise. Chasing my 4 year old daughter around is also very good exercise!
I worked for a decade in the videogame industry, working on games for Playstations, Nintendos, and such. Before that, I co-authored the "3D Game Creation System", which was published by Pie in the Sky Software in 1994. Before THAT, I worked as a mine planner, CAD draftsman, and software engineer in the coal mining industry back in West Virginia.
In 2003, I started my own company, Nagle Research, which specializes in high-speed 3D machine vision applications. I have since taken on a business partner, who is another former video game programmer and someone I worked with for about 8 years. (He is astonishingly brilliant.) For a while there I also produced videos and TV commercials for corporate clients. Now I just do occasional videos/shorts for fun.
I've been asked a lot, did I work on this game or that game. Here is the comprehensive list of games I've worked on:
* 3D Game Creation System for PC (1994 - 1996)
* All-Star Baseball '99 (and a bit on 2000) for N64
* Immortal Hockey (cancelled before shipment)
* SouthPark: Chef's Luv Shack (I'm sooo sorry)
* Tribes: Aerial Assault for Playstation2 (great game!)
* Defender for XBox and GameCube
* The Hobbit (effects)
* Area 51 (effects)
Definitely feel free to 'friend' me if you have any of these interests, or even if you don't. I love talking about this stuff, especially with people smarter than I am...I love to learn new things.
Who I'd like to meet: Anyone who shares any of my interests, or who is convinced I might share some of theirs.
Oh, and the following people specifically:
* Neil Peart - A great philosopher and writer, and a very accomplished motorcyclist. His travels are legendary. Oh, and he plays drums for a little trio called "Rush". :-)
* General Chuck Yeager - Would love to talk flying with him.
* Tom Cochrane (again) - Let's go down to 6th street next time you're in town.
* Ray Charles - I know it's too late now...but his music is beyond awesome, and he had a genuine love for playing.
Hey there,John.. I would like to welcome you to my friends list.. Hope that all is well with you and your beautiful family.. Drop me a note sometime, when you have the chance to do so.. Take Care.. Tina..
Thanks for the add! Check out our new online short film "Flying Full Circle" and the teaser to our upcoming documentary on our website at www. terwilligerproductions. com.
Our DVD’s and merchandise make great Holiday gift’s. You can find them at Amazon, iTunes and Netflix. See special links on our MySpace page!
You mean "Hurricane Dan" (Rather). Yes, yes, yes. I'd love a job like that. I used to hang out with many of the newscasters here in L.A. They thought I had the face for TV news, but my Tennessee/Texas twang wouldn't cut it on L.A. news! Unappreciative goofy rascals.
I just heard word from my old boss in Houston at the commercial oilfield diving company that Ike was the most destructive hurricane to the offshore oilfield ever - even worse than Katrina or Rita. He said he just got his lights at home back on today. Maybe I should be glad I wasn't in Houston for the show....Nah...I love em anyway! xo
When I visit Texas, I make a wide swoop....fly into Dallas, drive to Tyler to see my mom, sisters and neices. Then it's off to Bryan to see daddy. Hopefully, a lot of Whataburgers along the way. I miss the food!
I know I'm a day late and I apologize. I didn't forget just had so much going on. Anyway, I can't believe it has already been a year since you told me it took that long to make perfection. Ha!!! 40 years young huh? You always were one of the baby's of the group. Hope you had a great one and hope you were taking many "sips. "
Hey Big John. Long time no talk to. Wanted to wish you a early Happy Birthday. Hopefully I'll be in NC with my Sherri this weekend and I know I had better do my Bday wish now. I can't wait for you to meet her. This woman really has my heart. See you in the funnies John. Let me know when you come in so we can go out. Don't worry, I won't tell on us HEHE. To the BEST GUY I KNOW. Happy Birthday!
hey john whats up ole friend. just looking at your profile ,What else do you have to do in life. All I can say is way to go John. Enjoy your success and dont stop there keep climbing.
