Ahhh. About me…. So where should I start. First, I love to write code. When I am working , I write trading software. In my free time I write trading software.

    I am mainly a Mac guy for desktop work with Linux for my servers. Pretty standard nowadays I think. I see tons of macs used for development, and Linux servers for deployment. Most of the MySQL developers use macs, which is a good sign. I program a lot in C++, Java and PHP depending on what I need to get done. My main database is MySQL. I keep fairly large financial databases in MySQL and the performance is nice.

    I mainly trade listed equity derivatives. I also trade straight equities, but I really like derivatives ( including futures ). My favorite books on the subject are Taleb ( Dynamic Hedging: Managing Vanilla and Exotic Options ) and the Cottle books.

    I recently earned my CAIA in 2007. Not a well know certification, but it helped me a lot. I really love to learn, and it was a program that expanded my knowledge of alternative investments. Surprisingly, I have made use of a lot of what I have learned from studying for the CAIA.

I also speak, read and write Chinese and French. However, my French has faded in recent years, but still speak French better than “une vache espagnole”.

    So the other things I really love [ besides my lovely family of course ].

Travel : I have been to 39 countires so far. I have slowed down my travel in recent years and I probably won’t be traveling as much for the next few years.
Favorite Cities : Venice, Paris, Tokyo
Most Exotic Place I have been : Rapa Nui ( Easter Island )
Next place I want to visit : Buenos Aires

Skiing : Love the snow. I learned at Cascade Mountain in the midwest a long time ago. I have not skied as much in the last few years, since we do not have snow where I live.
Hardest Place I have skied : Squaw ( KT-22 is INSANE ! )
Favorite Resort : Steamboat & Vail ( I know, cliche )
Most Convenient Resort : Big Bear

Squash & Tennis : Not the best player, but I can hold my own. I wish I could play more squash but it is hard to find people to play against and places to play.