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My Interests

    My interest are many and varied and, hopefully, I will have enough strength and time to devote to them.

    Computers

    I remember the time when parents have bought me the first computer - a Pentium 100 Mhz - WOW ! =) I guess I was 14 at that point and since then the computers have inadvertently invaded my life. Well, it may have been even before I was 14, when we were playing "Ninja" and "Arkanoid" at school, but it doesn't really matter much. Technology changes our lives.

    My interests in computer technology are broad. I like graphic design and, although I'm not a pro (yet), I'm quite familiar with Adobe Photoshop. The 2D graphic design is supplemented by a 3D graphic design and my knowledge of 3ds Max that I used, at some point, to make advertisement reels. When I'll have an opportunity I'll post some of the things that I've done.

    Besides making graphics, I like to program weird little things for myself. I use Visual Basic and C++ to get the job done. Lately I taught an "Object Oriented Programming Languages" course at the Institute that I work at. The course was Visual C++ heavy and, unfortunately, it was only a one-term course so I couldn't teach the students too much. But seeing that spark of excitement in their eyes, when their program works, is really worth it and the reason I enjoy teaching students in the first place.

    Last but not least, I like to design web sites. The website you are on right now is designed by me entirely in FrontPage 2003. Yeah I know you are going to begin knocking me for the fact that I am using MegaSoft's tools, but honestly, I find FrontPage intuitive, simple and having enough tools to get the job done. I do try to learn Macromedia Dreamweaver, but it will take time.

    Well, I guess I simply get a lot of satisfaction from the process of creating something be it a program, a website, fun graphics or a math theorem. Seeing your hard work come to fruition is an incredible feeling.

    More to follow...

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    History

    I am a big history buff - at one point at school I wanted to become a historian and actually be on an archaeological dig of some sort. Who knows, maybe one day it will happen.
    I guess part of this affection with history appeared in my early childhood. One of the most memorable moments was when I was 10 or 11 and have read the book about the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs by Jean-Francois Champollion. Well this story has had me captivated ever since and instilled in me the lasting desire to visit Egypt and see its many wonders. At one point I even began to learn how to read hieroglyphic writings, although I must say that I had to abandon this endeavour due to severe lack of time. I am sure though that should I go to Egypt I will spend some time to at least learn how to read pharaoh's names in cartouches. Actually the whole story about the discovery of Rosetta Stone that led to decipherment of hieroglyphs is filled with interesting moments. Had Napoleon not invaded Egypt, Rosetta Stone would probably still lie hidden in the desert sands. It is an amazing thing that one person's evil act (I mean Napoleon) could bring about anything good. I guess this is duly summarized in a saying "War is an engine of progress".
    The story with decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphs has also kindled my interest in deciphering various texts, hence partly influencing the love to cryptography and cryptanalysis.

    Well my fascination with history continues to this day partly fuelled by reading materials, books and of course watching Discovery Civilisation. =)

    More to follow...

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    Sport

    In order to keep the body in tonus one has to exercise. In the summer I play basketball, swim and in the winter - go skiing or skating. I'll have to go through my photo archive and perhaps post a few nice pictures showing the Transcarpathian mountains in the winter and the great panoramic views that can be seen from them.

    I must say that had I not been to Canada I most likely wouldn't have played hockey and got to love it as I do now. This says something about Canadian spirit - they manage to infect, in a good way, foreigners with their culture, hockey being a great part of it. After all Canada is a birthplace of hockey and it really shows. Right now I do not have the ability to play hockey - winters in Transcarpathia are really mild compared to Canadian ones and in the summer the heat is unbearable - so it is ni impossible to play hockey on rollerblades.

    More to follow...

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© 2007 Yaroslav (Slava) Bezverkhnyev, a.k.a. Agarwaen
Last Update:     May 27, 2007