Cybes' ICQ-Oriented FAQ

Name
Evan Couche.

Nickname
Cybes.

Oh, alright.  Fully, it's Cyberius Teaser, Emperor of ROM.

That incredibly grandiose title was given to me by some university computer science chums when I first arrived there back in 1993, after I made some quip containing the wordplay (a pun based around Tiberius Caesar, Emperor of Rome, obviously).  It must have seemed fitting, apparently, because it stuck - and I kinda like it.  The shorter form, though, seems somewhat less pretentious. ;)

Date of Birth
14th of September, 1968.  For those that are into astrology of various kinds, that makes me a Virgo by the standard Western chart, a Monkey by the Chinese chart, and Muin by the Celtic chart.  Oddly enough, Virgo is an Earth sign, apparently - as is 1968, according to the asian system.  (Bwahahaha!  An earth earth monkey virgin, in a vine!)  There are undoubtably more, but those are the ones I've run over when not looking.

 [Evan's picture]
April 1999

Height
181cm, or 5'11" (and a bit) for those inflicted with Imperial measures.

Weight
Varies considerably and rapidly, but usually sticks between approximately 90kg (198 pounds) and 100kg (220 pounds) even then.  And, yes, I am aware that that is far too much, thankyou.

Hair
Various shades of brown, thinning, and normally slow-growing - except my beard, which is quite black, thick, grows quickly, and is tough enough to damage razor blades.

Eyes
Green. Mistaken for brown relatively often.  Not quite up to the task, and require assistance. They're too sensitive for contact lenses though, so I'm stuck with glasses.

Interests
Plays with computers rather too much - to the extent of programming them occasionally.  Given to indulge in Role-Playing Games and wargame simulations.  Remarkably interested in all things astronomical, biology, chemistry, nanotechnology, photography, psychology...  It might be easier to list those things in which I'm not interesed. ;)

Assorted 'Test' Results
I'm something of a sucker for tests.  Not the stress-inducing scholastic variety, mind, but the "Are you a dog?" variety.  Here's the findings of a few:

  • I've done several IQ tests and received results between "Average" and "Genius" depending on the test and the day.  I got into university, though, which statistically puts me in the top 10% for IQ.  (Which just goes to show how misleading statistics can be!)
  • According to the MBTI and DDLI personality tests, I'm an ISTP.  If you haven't the vaguest idea what that means, don't worry too much about it.  Or, for the curious, try any good search engine.
  • A Medieval Personality-Types test I found once says I would have made a good bard.  (Well - the storyteller/poet/loremaster type, maybe - I can't sing worth toffee.)  Other frivilous tests have determined that I'm 50% dragon, Fozzy Bear (of the Muppets), and Data (of StarTrek: The Next Generation).

Abode
In case you happen to be wondering where I live, on the right is my home.  I'm not saying exactly where this might be, but it's in Adelaide, South Australia.  You know Australia...  It's that ruddy great island north of Antarctica, and to the west of New Zealand.

The grass out front is dead, which explains the odd colour.  That strip 'belongs' to the council (to the extent that they'll fine you if you park a car on it).  These people also refuse to maintain it, whilst insisting that we pay rent for it, and water it, and cut it.  So we don't.  If it's their land, they can do it. >:(

The large trees at left and centre are eucalypts (gum trees) - as befits an Australian garden.  Unfortunately, since that picture was taken, they succomed to storms and parasites, and have been removed. :/  The local birdlife is inconsolable.

 [My Home]
Late 1995

Psychology vs Tarot
I do not believe Tarot has any mystical power to tell the future.  What I do believe, however, is that this form of 'divination' is a sort of advanced Rorschach test.  (That's the infamous inkblot test, if you didn't know.)  I think that the cards evoke so many different images, each of which can be interpreted in so many different ways, that the only valid information to be had from them is the meaning assigned to them by the 'reader'.  (This, incidentally, is why the Querant must be present at the reading for it to have any validity at all.)

In other words: Tarot tells you what you already knew, but didn't realise you knew.  IT IS NOT MAGIC! 

'Cybersex'
It seems to me that some people think so-called cybersex is the only pursuit worth having in electronic chat media.  These people are likely also the same ones who make use of phonesex lines.

I am not one of them.

The idea of that sort of conduct, to me, is quite offputting.  If I were in a serious relationship with the person in question at the time, and we had been physically seperated for some time, I might be persuaded to indulge...  Casual aquaintences and complete strangers, however, may find me more willing to sell them both of my kidneys. (ie: not very)

Oh, and virtual is not the only kind in which I will refuse a stranger.  If you are one of those individuals who seek to invite a third along for their private party (yes, I have received those), then "No, thanks!" may be my reply.  Another reply might be "Sure!  As soon as 'Chopper' Reid is cannonised by the Roman Catholic Church."

[ICQ Status]
June 2003, Evan Couche.