I first stumbled across the word "hacker" when I was six. Since I had no idea what the word actually meant, I did what any good six-year-old would do and asked my mom about it. Understandably concerned, she replied, "Why do you want to know, Paul?" I said, completely innocently, "Because I think I want to be one."
Thirteen years and one fateful college application later I ended up at MIT, where hackers of all kinds come to live, learn, and play. My name is Paul Baranay, and I'm one of the new kids here. (Does it show?) Born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, I've finally made the jump from the Midwest to the East Coast, and I simply love it.
A proud resident of the monolithic, sponge-inspired dorm known as Simmons Hall, I generally spend my time throwing p-set parties; training to be a MedLink; running around with the Assasssins' Guild; hanging out at my fraternity, Phi Kappa Sigma; chilling with friends; and recruiting people to watch Notre Dame football games with me on Saturdays. I sleep every now and then.
I am an undercover geek, an occasional athlete, a social butterfly, an unforgivable bibliophile. I am optimistic and ironic, sincere and sarcastic. I support the Red Sox, the Colts, and Firefox. I count by squares when I'm nervous. To this day, I remain slightly obsessed with Harry Potter. I idolize Neil Gaiman, J.R.R. Tolkein, and Dr. Gregory House. I am easily distracted and even more easily amused. I read too many webcomics for my own good. I am unabashedly Midwestern yet also shamelessly infatuated with Boston. I love Oakley sunglasses, North Face fleece, leather jackets, and shirts that say TIM when you look in a mirror. My life philosophy consists of living large, loving sincerely, and always daring to dream.
A year ago, I dared to dream that I might get into MIT. Now that I'm actually here, the reality is even more fantastic than I ever could have imagined.
RSS feed for my blog
