About Jim Gillies
I'm an engineer by trade, with degrees in Civil and Environmental Engineering
(although I know enough about mechanical stuff to be properly
dangerous). Contrary to popular belief, engineers have a few good
points -- problem solvers, analytical, fabulous lovers ... er ... I meant
attentive to detail. Unfortunately, a somewhat-true stereotype about engineers
is that we also think we can fix anything -- especially if we have no
knowledge of said subject. As I've been married for seven years to another
engineer (we met while we were both doing Engineering Masters degrees), this is
doubly true in our house and has had mixed results. I'm a fair car mechanic (my
one vehicle has no business being on the road), and can repair washing
machines. On the other hand, the less said about the ceiling fan and the roof
joists, the better (does anyone know a good plasterer?). We live with our
15-month old son in Guelph (rhymes with "Elf"), a town who's name has always
struck me as sounding a little like an obscure body function pronounced by a
proper Englishman ("Sorry, old bean; have to go guelph now. Back in a
moment.").
A couple of years ago I tired of the engineering world and quit my job cold
turkey to go back to school for an MBA in finance. I'm a stock valuation
nut with an unhealthy appreciation for accounting. I'll also admit to a dark
love of options, although I try to encourage any newcomers interested in
options to run for the hills as they'll lose all their money. When I'm not
playing with matters financial, I'm honing my amateur chef skills and getting
ready for ski season.
My haunts at the Fool have include various and sundry Hidden Gems boards,
the individual stock boards for
QSII and GRMN,
and the "themed" boards "Falling
Knives" and "It's
Earnings That Count."