David's Personal Life

Hi, I'm David. Let's get some of the trivia out of the way first:

I'm 34 years old. I'm originally from San Diego, California, where I spent the first 18 wonderful years of my life.I have a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a M.S. in Behavioral Decision Making and Economics from the Department of Social and Decision Sciences at Carnegie Mellon. I currently work for DAI Management Consultants and am completing my PhD in Decision Sciences in the Department of Socialand Decision Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You can find information on my research and career interests elsewhere. As for other critically important information...I'm a Virgo, a Riso-Hudson Enneagram perfectionist/peacemaker/romantic, a Kingdomality Test merchant, my birth number is 7, and my Kiersey/Jung personality profile is ISJF (Introverted Sensing Feeling Judging) - whatever that means. And don't forget my Lüscher Color Test and International Personality Item Pool - NEO (IPIP-NEO) narrative! Whatever these tests indicate, you can probably get a better idea of my motivations from one of my favorite movie quotes: greed is good. I know that's supposed to be passé now that the '80s are over, but I still like it.

Before I continue, let me share the following heartfelt sentiment with you: I don't like Pittsburgh. Maybe this is because I came from a wonderful city like San Diego and I have a nostalgic bias for the city of my idyllic youth. However, I think it's more likely because Pittsburgh is just a bleak city (for example, consider this passage on Pittsburgh? Now, allow me to tempt you with a brief photo tour of San Diego...

Now, back to me... Here are details about some hobbies and interests of mine.

MUSIC: I like a wide variety of music (from Medieval/pre-Renaissance and Baroque to classical jazz to electronic/trance, gothic, and industrial). I've played the piano since I was 8 and I'm pretty good at it. I tried the violin when I was 16, but I didn't have the patience to start with the basics again after 8 years of piano lessons. So, I gave it up. After all, there are only so many times a person can play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star without going insane...

READING: As a graduate student, large amounts of technical reading are required. Don't get me wrong - I like what I do, but I also savor the opportunity to read purely for pleasure. For some reason, I'm rarely able to get attached to fiction. I prefer to read autobiographies and history. I love Roman and Medieval history in particular. I also love wit and satire.

FOOD: I enjoy food - not just consuming it, but the experience that surrounds it (or should). I love to go out to eat with friends because it's a very social activity. It's one of the few times I get to talk with people without having it in the context of doing some other activity.As for cuisine, I enjoy California fusion cuisine (if you don't know,you probably wouldn't understand anyway) and typical steakhouse fare. If I had to pick a restaurant to eat at every night, it would be Morton's of Chicago (the big steakhouse chain).Of course, I'd be dead by 35, but what a way to go! Some of my favorite places? In San Diego: Mille Fleurs, Cafe Japengo, Epazote, Parallel 33. In Pittsburgh, LaForet, Kotobuki, Casbah, Kaya, Eleven. Elsewhere: Le Bec Fin (Philadelphia -- unquestionably the best anywhere!), Gotham (New York), Bradley Ogden, Lutece (Las Vegas). I also enjoy cooking. I don't get to do as much as I'd like anymore, but I do enjoy having friends over for dinner. I suppose I should also mention that I enjoy good wine (and spirits) as well.

COMPUTERS: Computers have made so many things in my life so much easier (and more fun) that I just have to mention them. I am first and foremost a Mac OSX fan. I've been a loyal Apple consumer ever since my family bought an AppleIIc back in the 80s.

SHOPPING: I have never been known to shy away from conspicuous consumption. I like shopping. What can I say?

TRAVEL: When I have enough time, there's really nothing I enjoy doing more than traveling. Most often, this travel is often just around the country to see friends and family. However, I do also enjoy heading off to new and interesting places with friends. Since 1996, I've kept all the pictures online.

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Revised: September 26, 2007