by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Mouse

Age: 40

Occupation: Genius

Bio: Born to "small-c communists," this nifty yet notably modest Plateau charmer dropped out of elementary school only to resume his studies at the grand old age of nine, when he first began attending university. "Apparently I was reading at age two and had been studying college-level algebra before beginning grade school." Now sought the world over for his ability to solve complex computer problems in a mere fraction of the time it might take another "geek" to do the job, Mouse says, "There's just something about computers that matches with how my mind works. Things that are obvious to me often appear opaque to everyone else. I don't understand what's so different about me, but there sure seems to be something."

One thing that's different about Mouse: He wears shorts and sandals, without socks, 365 days a year. "Last winter I didn't have to put socks on once - although admittedly, the year before last I wore them on two occasions."

Why one might do such a thing: Mouse says it's now part of his image but originally, "One fall, 10 or 15 years ago, I saw that winter was coming and recognized that I'd need to get some boots. [But instead] I just decided to push it, see how long I could go before having to give in and get them. And then spring came and I was still waiting."

Something that happens when you go walking around in your sandals when it's -26 degrees outside: You regularly get stopped by police who want to verify that you're not an escaped mental patient. "These days it only happens to me when I'm way out of my accustomed neighbourhoods. I'm sure they all know me at the downtown police stations by now."

Something else that's different about Mouse: He's a practicing Druid. "I consider myself more of a neo-pagan - a Druid wannabe, to be more precise. Most of what you find online is about Wicca, but in 1999 I finally found a local pagan group that was Druidic and actually worked for me."

Does he find himself regularly impatient with how stupid the rest of the world is? Yes, but more with the world collectively than with actual individuals.

Does he ever feel like he should really be using his brain to help solve the mysteries of the universe instead of finding better ways of filtering junk e-mail? Occasionally, but it's not a huge concern.

On string theory: "Do you mean string theory with respect to sub-atomic physics? Yes, I believe the theory is plausible but I'm honestly not enough of a theoretical physicist to make a competent judgement of its merits at this point in time."

Childhood ambition: "I'm told I aspired to speak with trees."

Does he get high? No, but Mouse has considered doing "E" a few times - although he's yet to take the plunge.

Musical preferences: "I've got Rush in my CD player right now."

Words of wisdom: "An it harm none, do what ye will."

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca