Jimmy
Jimmy believes growing up in a small town is what turned him
into the geek he is today.
"When there's not a lot to do you develop other interests.
In my case, mostly music, comic books, science fiction and
computers," he explains.
His comic book collection takes pride of place in his
apartment and includes "all the classics" - Superman,
Watchmen, Batman, Green Lantern.
A music lover and budding guitarist, Jimmy jams with friends
most weekends in a group they call The Reticulating Splines.
"Our name is a Sims City joke, which I don't expect too many
people to get," he says.
Working as an IT support technician was almost inevitable
for Jimmy.
"My dad was an early adopter. Like I have a stack of laser
discs and other obsolete technology at home to prove it.
There was always a computer around the house. If you're
always around computers, you learn how they work."
He was once dumped for being too boring, and ever since
Jimmy's been working on his confidence.
"A teacher gave me the best advice: 'Confidence is the key.
If you don't have confidence, pretend you do.' And I think
that's just the best way to handle every situation. Meeting
new people: if you're afraid, act like you're not.
"Or fool them long enough and you can develop a
confidence. I think that's the best way to approach the
situation. Like I mean it's not like they're wild animals, they're
people; they happen to be beautiful. Say hi."
And when it comes down to his teaching strategy, Jimmy is
hoping to liken studious pursuits to magic tricks in an
attempt to get the beauties interested.
"Arthur C. Clarke had a great saying and that's that magic
is science we don't understand. And I think if we take that
approach to anything people don't understand, it
becomes great. So here's something magical that
happens - water turning into steam, let's work out how
this trick is done."