About Me

Hi, I'm Xander. I'm currently studying MEng Electronic Engineering and Cybernetics at the University of Reading and am in my 3rd year. I've been getting involved with lots of things at university, from running the Roller coaster Appreciation Society to being part of the TV station and helping out where I can. I've setup a website for the Roller Coaster Society, with the main aims of it being useful and informative, and easy to use so the rest of the committee and next years committee will be able to use it too!

You can probably tell that I like constructing things, whether mechanical, electrical or virtual which is why motorcycle mechanics is of great interest to me. The ability to fix something yourself rather than spend lots of money for someone else to do it is a great feeling, plus you can not just fix it, but make it yours!

I used to spend a lot of time designing, and indeed building, computer systems for myself and friends, although that has died down in recent times, with the laptop being the most favourable system to have. Still, the idea of having a unique system that fits all my criteria is a very rewarding one.

I've jumped back into video editing and film making, something that I often jump to and fro, mainly because of time constraints.

My greatest pleasure of all though is theme parks. The rides, the people, the fun and the atmosphere are what really excite me about theme parks. I love the constructions and operation of rides, and often think to myself ways to improve upon and existing design. My favourite example of this was what could be done to improve Oblivion at Alton towers... I came up with the idea of removing the floor from the vehicle, so that when you are held above the hole facing downwards, you would feel very insecure and exposed. A few years later, the manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard built a ride with the exact configuration!

A common problem with enthusiasts designing rides is that if one was built, it would more than likley injure or even kill riders. I strive to make all my conceptions as realistic and feasible as possible. I may not be able to own a theme park myself, but just being part of one, part of the heart of it all is the greatest dream I have!

If you've made it this far, then well done! Hope you've found this insight into the mind of Xander interesting, and if you have any comments feel free to ask!