GirlGeek of the Week
June 2001

Alalia Lundy

At the age of 20 Alalia was working in insurance. She worked in almost every department and after showing a constant interest in computer support finally made it to MIS. Without formal training, Alalia was driven purely by ambition. She became the one people always relied on when something didn't work properly.

Since then she has held many IT jobs including support, trainer, programmer, developer and Web specialist. For each position she learned on the job. Alalia says it was a slow process, but she "loved every minute of it."

When did you first discover your love and/or obsession with computers and technology?

I think it started at the age of 8 when I got an Atari video game for Christmas. I was so amazed at how I could control the images on the screen with the slight movement of a joystick. Later, my dad brought home my aunt's computer from the store and I wanted it for myself. Because I could not have it and I never got one, I became obsessed with getting one of my own. I had to have it...it became like a drug.

How do you earn a living?

I am a Web Specialist/Developer at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center on the campus of the University of South Florida in Tampa. I maintain the Moffitt Internet and Intranet web sites. I also assist in the development of various database driven Web pages using Microsoft's Active Server Pages technology.

Do you consider yourself a Geek?

Most definitely. Anyone who looks forward to the weekend to work on personal ASP or Java projects has to be a geek. I am a geek. Ask any of my friends who continually tell me I need a life :-)

What is your favorite Website?

I have so many. Monster.com, Coveryourasp.com and LearnASP.com are ones I frequent the most... OH and ASK.com :-)

What do you do when you are not working?

I play on the computer. Tomb Raider is my favorite (Laura Croft is the bomb). I have many chat friends, so I am usually online talking tech and sharing ideas about web projects. The ASPlists at asplists.com is my favorite place to be.

What's your motto?

No worries. Tomorrow is a new day and Life will go on.

When and where were you the happiest?

Sometimes I think it was my early 20s when all I did was party, but to be honest, the present is a great time for me. I have learned so much in life and in the technology field and I have come so far. I love my job and life is grand. Yeah for today !! :-)

If you could have one super power what would it be?

To heal the sick. There is so much of it in the world :-(