Kork profile picture

Kork

I am here for Friends and Networking

About Me

I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - pretty much out in the country in a place called Washington Township. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University (located in Pittsburgh) in 1984 I moved out to Orange County, California to start my working career. I've bounced around Orange County from town to town and finally settled into my first home in January of 2004. I am presently living in Huntington Beach, California. ---------- I am an Electrical Engineer. I hold a dual bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and Engineering & Public Policy. I've enjoyed my job as it has allowed me to travel quite a bit. I've gotten to visit a lot of the world through my job which I otherwise probably would not have gotten the opportunity to see. ---------- Although I am employed as an engineer, my true passion has always been food and wine. I had seriously considered culinary school, but decided to go for the technical degree instead. I'm always told that being an Engineer and being a Chef are so different. I disagree. Both involve taking individual pieces and putting them together to make something new and exciting. Both fields are part art and part science. ---------- I would someday like to run a kitchen or even open my own place somewhere. I've developed several of my own recipes already although I've not written them all down yet. ---------- I also enjoy sports. I played football in high school and then switched to rugby in college. I continued playing club rugby out here in California for about ten years until my body just couldn't take it any more. I do miss it though. There's nothing like a good tackle, laying somebody out on the pitch, to help relieve the stresses of the day. ---------- To learn more about me please visit my web site at the following location: Karl's Place and also my page related to my trip to the Culinary Olympics: Culinary Olympics 2004

My Interests

Cooking, Fine Wines, Traveling, Art Collecting, a bit of Writing; but most importantly to me, laughing, enjoying life and helping others to do the same whenever possible.

I'd like to meet:

I'm hoping that I have already met her. Only time will tell...

Music:

Will listen to almost anything, but my preference would be for Blues, Swing and a bit of Country. ------Here are some links to a few of my favorite bands/musicians: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy -- Mary Ann Redmond -- The Fenians

Movies:

I don't really get to the movies that much. I don't know why. I do like watching them on occasion. The last one that I actually saw in the theatre was the last Lord of the Rings. When I do watch something I like it to be something that allows me to get away from reality for a while (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars) or to make me laugh (Blazing Saddles, History of the World - Part I, most Monty Python flicks). I also like the classics (Casablanca, Sound of Music) and a good thriller on occasion.

Television:

All Sports, Two and a Half Men, 24, The Food Network, Whose Line Is It Anyway.

Books:

Not really a book reader.

Heroes:

To me, a hero is someone that you can look up to. That person doesn't necessarily have to make a choice as in that made by fireman, et al. running into the twin towers. Don't get me wrong, those people are definitely heroes in my eyes. They are people that I definitely look up to -- immensely.----------However, I also look up to my parents and many of my teachers. These are the people that taught me how to live and how to treat others. Those that take on the responsibility of a role model and actually live up to it. This seems to be lost on many people these days.----------One athlete that I would consider a hero, and it really has nothing to do with his status as an athlete, is Roberto Clemente. He was defintely a great athlete, one of the best to ever play the game. But this has nothing at all to do with why I consider him a hero. He died in the service of not his own, or of his "adopted", country. Rather, he died in the service of mankind in general. Roberto Clemente is a hero to me. He would be even if he had never picked up a baseball. I just probably would never have heard of him.----------There is also the poor guy or girl that had nothing going for them and signed on to serve their country. They could have opted for a safer career choice but, instead, decided to serve their country and ended up giving their lives for the chance that you and I can have a better one.----------You do not need to be known to be a hero. You simply have to be selfless and be able to put the needs of others above the needs of yourself. This is true whether or not you are able to become a household name. Most heroes are anonymous. They do the things that make them heroes without any fanfare, without any self promotion. This is really what sets them apart to begin with. They don't do what they do for the hype or for the recognition. They do it because they actually care. If it's noticed and publicized then that is great. They can get some recognition for what they have done. I have no problem with that whatsoever. It is completely deserved. To help others simply for the recognition, however, is not being a hero.----------Some of the heroes in my life would definitely include my parents, my junior high school gym/health teacher (he had a tremendous impact on my life), my high school football coach (taught us about character and respect for others as much, if not more, than he did about the game) and several of my college professors.----------I have been blessed with some incredible friends. They have taught me more about life and how to live it than anyone out there in the limelight. I have had the great opportunity to know many selfless individuals who would gladly put the welfare of perfect strangers before that of their own. I can only hope that I can emulate them if the opportunity ever arose.----------I truly believe that I have been around some of the most incredible people in the world. The fact that these people consider me a friend as well is more meaningful to me than if I met any Hollywood idol or famous athlete. I wouldn't trade my friends, my family or any of the role models in my life for anything, or anyone, in the world. They are my heroes.