Non-physics Interests of Joshua Socolar

Family

Rebecca, my wife, is a pediatrician and faculty member at UNC-CH. We have two kids -- Jacob (born 3/28/89) and Yvonne (born 11/16/90). We all want to spend as much time with each other as we can, which ain't enough these days. I have a brother who lives in Baltimore (with his wife and two kids) and my parents live in Montgomery County, MD, still in the home where I spent most of my childhood.

Academics

Outside of physics, my interests run in the direction of philosophy (20th century western): theories of interpretation, scientific progress, and criticism in general. I am also interested in a variety of issues relevant to elementary education (some of which are academic, others political).

Music

I enjoy listening to all kinds of music, but especially to jazz. I play piano, attempting (with mixed results) blues, swing, bebop, stride (barely), in the tradition of the masters -- Basie, Monk, Oscar, Bud, Evans, James P., etc.

Sports

In my youth I played tennis (reasonably well) and basketball (well enough to enjoy it). My lower back now permits only bicycling, but I'll play ping-pong or pool anyway.

Outdoors

I enjoy hiking, camping, canoeing, rafting, birding (thanks to Jacob) and puttering around in the yard.

Kids

I love kids, especially my own. I also love their toys - the good ones, anyway.

Travel

I have traveled extensively in the North America and Europe. I have also enjoyed extended visits to Colombia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a trip around the world with stops in Mumbai, Bali, Australia, and New Zealand. I prefer warm and humid places where French is spoken.