User Profile

Smitty Instruction Manual, v21.45
(aka How to encapsulate a life into a bio box)

History
After going through the usual anthropic gestation and birth, and going to a local primary school, I went to the lone prestigious State High School in the city of my birth, through a rather strict process that involved an analysis of ones academic record.

During my time at said educational institution (as I coldly, albeit accurately, referred to it as), the following things occured: I went Goth-ish (around late-1999), I refused to have my intellect placed into letters (around 2000), I converted to a religion known as Orthodox Christianity (mid-2001), I developed my ability to argue about everything (continuous). All of these things have remained with me to the present day.

As a result of my natural ability to argue, and the close relationship with that ability to philosophy, I wanted to do philosophy at University. However, my refusal to have my intellect placed into letters meant that I could only begin a qualification in politics, after which I was able to move into a philosophy major. This is the bachelor-level qualification that I am currently completing (one subject remaining; scheduled graduation at Dec. 2006).

As mentioned, I am Orthodox. Aside from going to church (and other associated things), I am also a Byzantine chanter. Through this, I am able to read Greek fairly fluently, and this combined with what has turned out to be a better-than-average memory, has meant that I can understand an intermediate level of liturgic Greek. In a fact that has perplexed everyone who doesn't know me well, Modern Greek is much more difficult for me. I'm also on a major committee connected with the Church, and have charge over a bookstore connected with my parish.

My place of employment, so that I can speak freely, is undefined; however, I work in Administration/Data Entry, amounting to receiving orders and sending them to others through different programs. I am working in a company (creatively referred to as "The Company") that administers a utility considered essential, but I still have no concern about the customer (being outside the confines of my job description). Previously, aside from small stints as nightfill at a large supermarket (~3 wks) and in a kebab shop (~6 wks), I worked in a call centre for food while I was at school (and part of uni), with a seasonal income from adjudicating high school debating competitions.

I'm not sure what else to put in. Any suggestions, let me know.

Glossary.
Gothish: All credit to the really-hardcore Goths out there, but out of respect I don't feel that I can class myself in that category (although many did, and more). However, my music was Nu-metal, I had no piercings, my fashion was black with trenchcoat, my jewellery was celticly-influenced (though changing from a pentacle to a cross at one very important juncture) and my thoughts were very introspective. In all, I describe myself as a coffee-shop Goth.
Liturgic Greek: The language that is used when services are done in Greek hasn't changed for over 1000 years; hence, because of the simplifications and foreign influences that Modern Greek has undergone, to most it is more difficult to understand.

Favourite Scriptural Quotes
πορευθέντες ουν μαθητεύσατε πάντα τα έθνη, βαπτίζοντες αυτούς εις το όνομα του πατρός και του υιού και του αγίου πνεύματος, διδάσκοντες αυτούς τηρείν πάντα όσα ενετειλάμην υμίν· και ιδού εγώ μεθ' υμών ειμι πάσας τας ημέρας έως της συντελείας του αιώνος. (Ματθαιον, ΚΗ:ΙΘ-Κ)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you; and behold I am with you always, to the end of the age. Amen. (Matthew, 28:19-20)

ιδου ημεις αφηκαμεν παντα και ηκουθήκαμεν σοι, εφη ο Ιησους· αμην λέγω υμιν, ουδεις εστιν ος αφήκεν...ενεκεν εμου και ενεκεν του ευαγγελιου, εαν μη λαβη εκατονταπλασίονα νυν εν τω καιρω τουτω...μετα διωγμων, και εν τω αιωνι τω ερχομενω ζωην αιωνιον. (Μαρκον, Ι:ΚΗ-Λ)
..."See we have left all and followed you", and Jesus answered, "Amen, I say to you, none who left...for my sake and the Good News, who may not receive a hundredfold in this time...with persecutions, and in the age to come life to the ages. (Mark, 10:28-30)

ουκ ελήλυθα καλέσαι δικαίους αλλά αμαρτωλούς εις μετάνοιαν. (Λουκαν, Ε:ΛΒ)
I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. (Luke, 5:32)

ίνα μαρτυρήσω τη αληθεία· πας ο ων εκ της αληθείας ακούει μου της φωνής. (Ιωαννην, ΙΗ:ΛΖ)
...I may bear witness to the truth; all who are of the truth hear my voice. (John, 18:37)

Books
Current Reading
The Ladder of Divine Ascent, St John Climacus
The Synaxarion, Vol. 1 (September-October), transl. Hmk Makarios of Simonopetra and C. Hookway

Books to read
The Arena, by St Ignatius Brianchaninov
On Prayer, by Elder Sophrony (Sakharov)
The Apocalypse in the teaching of Ancient Christianity, by Abp Averky (Taushev) and Fr Seraphim Rose
The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, by St Bede the Venerable
The Screwtape Letters, by C.S. Lewis
The Life of the Virgin Mary, by Holy Apostles Convent

Friends (15):

Mutual Friends (10):