Hi folks! I'm Tomte (Ok, not my name for real, but my computer handle since I was 14, so for 14 years now), pronounced "TAHM-teh" (full name Tomteboda or TAHM-teh-Boh-dah, just in case you're curious). I live in the USA, in the northern plains (think South Canada), and go to graduate school full-time (teaching classes to pay). I've been waiting to say "Hi" until I'd read through the (huge) introductions section. I only bought Virtual Villagers a week or two ago, but its on its way to becoming a favorite game.

I've been a nut about computer games since my first computer in 1983 (TI-94/A), and I write programs of the unentertaining(well, to most people) sort in my professional life as a scientist. Working as I do at a computer, this game is a rather amusing addendum to my day. I've been checking it during breaks at work, and have another game that I run when I'm at home. Virtual Villagers is actually the only game I have on my work computer (don't even have Minesweeper).

All-time favorite computer games (ones that I played to conquor more than once, way more than once) include Hunt the Wumpus (TI-94/A), The Oregon Trail, D&D Forgotten Realms games, the King's Quest series, Torin's Passage, SimCity, CivIII & Civ IV, Cute Knight, Morrowind & Oblivion.

In my copious (pre Virtual Villagers) spare time, I also play bluegrass guitar and banjo, piano, and sing. I'm a voracious reader and I write fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. I'm a stereotypical old maid with two cats (aaargh!) and a penchant for crazy hats.

Nice to see y'all.