Who am I?

Most people call me Brian, but I am known by several nicknames: Brian C. Becker, BCB, Becker, and Clueless (the last being a family nickname). In fact, I will answer to most anything, including Jennifer (for you non-Dilbert fans, that's a Dilbert joke). I am a beginning graduate student at the Robotics Institute in the Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. I graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) studying Computer Engineering, where I worked in the Intelligent Systems Lab (ISL) and the Robotics Lab @ UCF. Now I work in the Medical Instruments Lab at CMU. I love challenging problems, especially in the field of computer science and robotics. Figuring out something for the first time is always a thrill. That's probably why I enjoy programming so much: it's all about getting a computer to solve a problem for you. Some of my favorite topics are robotics, artificial intelligence, machine vision systems, compiler construction, face recognition, and other low level system programming tasks that are difficult to crack. I tend to be a perfectionist but am generally open minded as to how to achieve the objective.

I love the outdoors, but too often my profession as a student keeps my nose in a book somewhere in the library. I love hiking, especially in North Carolina. I like the gentle cool breeze, looking out over a forested mountain with a notebook (old-fashioned or electronic), just jotting down what comes to mind. I enjoy Florida, where I live, in the fall. A good book in a hammock on a fall Florida day with a glass of real, fresh lemonade is simply unbeatable. Now that I'm in Pittsburgh, or what I like to call da Pitts, I don't really get to do much of that. More of than not, you can find me crunching my way through snow or rain since that's da Pitts favorite weather schedule. I dislike watching sports, but will play tennis rain or shine (although the ball tends to bounce erratically on a wet court). As for my personality, I am often described as being a quiet non-outgoing type of guy prone to being dramatically pessimistic with weird, dry sense of humor.

I dislike the TV. I've grown up my whole life without one, and I think it's the biggest waste of time ever invented. However, I will quite willingly waste my time reading a book, so go figure. I enjoy reading science fiction, fantasy, and computer books. Some of my favorite authors are David Weber, C.S. Lewis, and L.E. Modesitt. Most of my friends consider me addicted to books. When I start one, I typically can't put it down, which leads to long nights without much sleep - which is why I avoid starting new books whenever I'm busy.

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BCB at a Glance (Engineer's View)

Engineers want to know the facts. They leave all the touchy-feely nonsense to the social scientists. Give us the constants, the equations, the attributes. So for the engineers out there, select cold hard facts below. Otherwise read the rambling sentimental introduction to the left. Better yet, why waste time reading about me? Go do something productive!

• Birthday: 12-26-1985
• Birthplace: San Antonio, TX
• Residence: Oviedo/Orlando, FL
• Hometown: Vero Beach, FL
• Siblings: One sister
• Occupation: Grad student @ RI in CMU
• Works at: Medical Instrumentation Lab
• Religion: Christian, Presbyterian
• Political view: They're all weasels
• Interests: Computers, Programming, Knitting, Crocheting, Gardening, Compilers, Robotics, Face Recognition
• Favorite Authors: David Weber, C.S. Lewis, and Modesitt Favorite Books: Chronicles of Narnia, Enchanted Forest Series, Octagonal Raven, Honor Harrington Series, Apoclypse Troll, Wizard Bane Series
• Music Genre: Christian, Classical, Instrumental, New Age, and some Trance/Disco
• Favorite Artists: Michael W. Smith, Enya, Hans Zimmer, Harry Gregson Williams
• Movies Genre: Pixar (yes, that is a genre), comedy, animated, action, thrillers
• Favorite Movies: All Pixar movies aka The Incredibles or Monsters Inc, Sound of Music, Charade, Lord of the Rings, Chronicles of Narnia, The Fugitive, Stardust