Welcome to the world of the Jat in the Hat. So what's this gear?! This is my travel diary, which is slowly evolving into some sorta blog; because there's not enough of these on the internet already... If you wanna contact me : jat@thejatinthehat.com
A bit about me
What I do
From Perth, Western Australia. Currently living/studying in Cambridge, UK doing a Ph.D. in the Computing Lab. I'm working in the realm of behaviour control; that is, how a system can ensure people are meeting their (contractual, work-related) obligations. Sounds boring, but it's basically about ensuring people do what they should in certain circumstances. We are working in the world of home healthcare, so we want to make sure a nurse knows and does what she's supposed to when visiting a patient. Gotta be careful with this stuff to balance control with civil liberties...
Why study
Yeah, having a bit of commercial IT (code monkey) experience I could probably kill it in London or something like most of my ex-colleagues from Perth are doing. I'm very concerned with 'Big-Brother' related issues, and I hope my work will raise awareness in that realm. I'm studying because I got sick of working for the machine, churning out code that nobody really cares about and doesn't really make a difference to anyone, except of course to a business' bottom line (and to the person whose job is replaced by this new system). Instead, I'd like to be influential in the formation of sound (technically, socially and economically) tech policy. I feel it is important to raise awareness and debate these issues now, rather than let things go - it is much easier to lose a right than to get it back! I studied Computer Science & Law at The University of Western Australia - so I guess that helped to develop my interest in this area.
What I like
Travelling is my #1 passion. I've had so many great experiences and met fantastic people on my travels. I am indebted to sites such as Hospitality Club and CouchSurfing which are these cool travel enthusiast contact sites which hooks travellers up with locals to either stay or play with.
Spanish - I love latin culture and I am working on improving my Spanish, which is poor, but good enough for travelling... Getting there slowly (but surely) - and have spent a couple of weeks in Spanish schools in Argentina, Mexico and Spain.
Icecream - I'm pretty much icecream obsessed. And if you check out my icecream blog, you'll see I've tried some bizarre flavours. (Update) I haven't added anything there for ages, despite trying many great new flavours. I don't know why... Laziness?
Tastes - I'm a total food addict. Mexico was a country that pretty much evolved my tastes to the next level. I'm also totally into the lime & chili combination - it works with EVERYTHING. Well OK, I have been into chili for ages, but it is only after travelling have I become completely lime obsessed. Seriously.
I'm a MASSIVE tequila fan - probably the best I've tried was Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia, tasted straight from the barrel in Tequila Mexico! I got a bottle of Don Julio Anhejo waiting for me back home in Perth. Note that the standard yellow bottle Jose Cuervo Especial is only 51% Agave (tequila plant) and 49% sugar - the guys from the factory making the stuff say "only use that for mixing - not straight!!", so that's why it's harsh. I enjoy beer favourite at the mo is probably Bravara (from Brasil, called Bavaria but exported as Bravara cos there's already a nasty beer from Holland called Bavaria).
Anything else? Contact me jat@thejatinthehat.com
Peace out.
j47
