A: I'm going to answer twenty questions about myself... next question.
A: Don't ask me... next question.
#18: Ok, whatever. So here's an easy one: what movies do you like?
A: My two favorites are Shrek and Gladiator... both great flicks. I also really like Zoolander, American Beauty, and a bunch of other movies that I can't think of right now. Basically I detest chick flicks, like Pay it Forward. Otherwise, if its funny I'll probably like it.
#17: Ok, and music?
A: I like many rock/alternative music, and I can tolerate just about anything but country (Dixie Chicks? no thank you). I also love a lot of those 80's songs that everyone knows but no one remembers the titles of. Looking at my playlist, some of the names are: John Mayer, Everclear, Stroke 9, Dashboard Confessionals, Eminem, Tom Petty, Third Eye Blind, Counting Crows, Dispatch, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Outkast, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, The Strokes, and lots of other stuff.
#16: What about TV shows?
A: I don't really watch much TV, usually there's no time, but the Simpsons never disappoints and Seinfeld is funny. Otherwise you'll probably find me watching the news. And no, "Sex in the City" is NOT quality TV.
#15: Ok, new slant. So you're a computer science major... does that mean you're a geek?
A: Yes, of course.
#14: So then what are you into with computers?
A: Basically, I think its amazing what computers do and the more I learn about them, the more I am in wonder that it all (for the most part) just works. I'm focusing on networking and network security... studying stuff about how the Internet work and hackers break into computers, which is one of the areas that really isn't "working" right now. I'm particularly interested in this stuff on large scale, as in trying to figure out what a terrorist group, with millions of dollars in resources could do to attack us, and then of course, figuring out how we defend against it. Check out what I'm doing in the research section if you're really interested.
#13: What's your lucky number?
A: Thirteen.
#12: What sports do you like?
A: Tennis is probably my favorite, and I played football and basketball for a while in high school too, but not much anymore. I really can't stand watching professional sports on TV though, except for the Packers and the Cubs, for whom I have a deep allegiance since my young days, thanks to my dad. I also really need to learn how to play golf... its one of those adult "businessy" things everyone should know.
#11: So now that you're legal, what do you like to drink?
A: Well, girl drinks are for girls (yes Ben... Smirnoff Ice IS a girl drink) and hard alcohol is for alcoholics, so I'm in favor of beer. Hey, i'm from Wisconsin, what can I say?
#10: Are you drinking right now???
A: that's a stupid question....
#9: What's the best thing about Stanford?
A: The people.
#8: What's the worst thing about Stanford?
A: That I don't have enough time to spend meeting all the cool people. Well, that and the messed up social scene.
#7: What do you think about the practice of "googling" someone you just met in order to find out more about them....
A: Its kind of "stalkerish" if you ask me.
#6: Have you ever done it?
A: next question.
#5: Where will you be in five years?
A: Slaving away at a grad school, working on my PhD in computer science, or computer security policy. Right now I'm shooting for Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburg, but there are lots of possibilities. Hopefully I'll still have enough free time to hang out with friends, date someone (or *gasp* be married) and explore other interests.
#4: How many more questions do I have left?
A: now, three.
#3: Who is someone in the past that you look up to?
A: Goliath..I heard he was really tall.... Actually, I would have to say Napoleon, because despite his size he had vision, and more importantly the brains and the drive to go for it all.... twice.
#2: Is it true that you full name is Daniel Ezekiel Wendlandt Jr.?
A: NO.
#1: How old are you?
A: 21 : )