Hehe.
Well, I'll tell ya - I have tattoos, piercings, and hair down to my collar (much shorter than it used to be but still WAY off the norm here). I'm also certified in arc, mig, and plasma arc from my previous life laying down valve seals for pipelines, etc. I did a few stints in some regional hardcore and metal bands as well, one that almost got signed before the drummer went off the deep end and saved us. Somehow I made it through 5 years working in long-term care taking care of people both before and after they died. By then I had somehow managed to squeeze out a degree with a triple major, one of which was computer science (I was 26 at this point).
Not sure how I ended up here but the 18-year old version of me would have kicked my ass; of course he was kind of wasted most of the time and I'm a little tougher now than I was then so he wouldn't be able to but...well...you get the point.
I'm with you on the cramped though, the only thing keeping me going here is the pay and I have a window seat with an awesome view of the Adirondacks. I work with some really cool people too so that helps a lot!
XII