Hello web surfer!

About me

Btw - you can call me Mike, and the P. is for Pius (I'm Lithuanian; that was my maternal Grandfather's name.)

I was born in Bethlehem, PA on 2 Jun 64, and grew up in Reading, PA. From the time I was 10 or so, I tinkered with all sorts of mechanical devices, and electricity drew my curiosity. Electronics was the next logical step, then came computers. Fresh out of Governor Mifflin High School, I tried for a BS in Computer Science at PennState/Berks, but spent too much time in the computer lab. So, I took a break for a year, then served 6 years in the US Navy as an Electronic Technician (and received an Honorable discharge as an E5). It was a forgone conclusion that I'd get a Bachelor's degree, and I was always interested in scientific concepts. So, during my last year in the Navy, I decided to immediately re-enroll at PennState for Physics. I graduated in May '97 (from Behrend, the Erie campus). For about a year, I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. For almost 2 years, I was an electronic technician for a small company that worked with local industries. I then enrolled at Penn State's nanofab for the Spring semester of 2001, where I got experience with thin films (e.g. semiconductors). We used a class 10/100 cleanroom and various equipment to create and characterize structures at the micrometer scale.

science: physics (of course!), astronomy, geology, and geophysics
technology: 'high tech' components or end products
mechanics: how things work
computers: using and programming

Beside these, I have a few hobbies. I recently began researching my genealogy (most of my Grandparents came from Lithuania in the early 20th century). I still dabble in electronics. Doing any kind of car or house maintenance interests me. Finally, I collect succulents (I have about 80), and have a few investments. Most of my knowledge comes from being self-taught: I talked to people, read books and magazines, experimented, and watched educational tv. I am a charter-subscriber to Discover (I even keep the issues). My favorite TV channels are The Learning Channel, The Discovery Channel, and The History Channel. My spare-time activities include working on a few tech/sci projects and setting up this site.

About this site

In one sense, the Internet is a way to make an idea available to the world. Similar concepts have existed for a while (e.g. books, newspapers, television), but the Internet puts an interesting spin on things. As you might surmise, I have something to say - and I think it will be very interesting! As noted at the entrance, this site could change daily. I intend to add several sub-pages (most will pertain to life and society). I also intend to promote it (such as on search engines).

I have a few intentions with the design of this site. Of course, one is to give a surfer a glimpse of my personality and lifestyle. Another, and probably more important, is to mention social issues. To that end, I've commenced writing my 'society pages'.

Pictures: a professional studio (1988), at a picnic (1999), and at home (2001).

3D Animated Flags Courtesy of 3DFlags.com