Dr. Rodney McKay

Describe a chance encounter that changed your life.

2006-06-02T22:45:50Z

My chance encounter was one of many chance happenings for the opposite party. I, myself was exactly where I was supposed to be, but the Major, now he was the one who would fit the chance part. After all, what were the chances that he would be the one flying General O'Neill out to the outpost? Or that while flying the General out, Beckett would be sitting in the chair and accidentally launch an ancient drone out to attack their helicopter? Since that happened, the General was forced to give the Major security clearance and while he was in the outpost - ordered not to touch anything I might add, what were the chances that he would not only disobey orders and sit in the ancient chair but also have the gene to activate it? All of those chances lining up are pretty slim and yet, they all happened. And since all of those chances lined up, I was able to encounter one Major John Sheppard.

Meeting and getting to know John Sheppard is the part that changed my life. Up to this point in my life I really couldn't say that I had any real friends. I'm not saying that for you to feel sorry for me. I don't want your pity and I'm well aware that my own attitude and actions are the cause for the lack of friendships. People were either tolerated because they served a purpose or I intimidated them so that they would leave me alone and stay out of my way.

Sheppard changed all that. Yes, his presence was needed as the military leader of Atlantis or more importantly to me because he possessed the gene. However the longer we worked together I started to find that he could mentally keep up with me and he wasn't intimidated or put off by my snark. In fact, it seemed to amuse him more than anything. His opinions or ideas on problems were interesting, and although most had roots in the military mindset, they were still feasible and some I would even have to say were pure genius (although I would never tell him that). Oddly enough, we seemed to compliment each other well.

Before I realized what was happening I found that we had started a friendship. Instead of eating in my lab while working, we'd make arrangements to eat in the mess hall. Taking time out of my very busy schedule for team movie nights and other social events started to become habit. And unbelievably his untimely visits to my lab just 'to see how things were going', became times that I started to look forward to.

Once my friendship with John became more stable, I then started to find friendships elsewhere as well. Friendships that I never would have been open to or put any effort into. Radek Zelenka who's a subordinate; Carson Beckett who I considered to practice voodoo medicine; and a few others were people I had already deemed as acquaintances only, started to become more than that. Not only did I consider them to be more than that, it would appear that the feelings were mutual.

Now I would never go back to the way I was before. I can honestly say that I've changed. Perhaps not a lot, I can still be intimidating, snarky and generally obnoxious; but at the same time, I've come to learn value in friendship and in other people's talents besides the purpose that they serve me.

Cross-posted to: theatrical_muse
Word Count: 581

What was/is your childhood ambition?

2006-05-07T23:38:51Z

I had many ambitions as a child. Winning the grade six science fair, finding my dog that ran away, escaping from my parents constant arguing - really the list goes on and on. My biggest ambition though was to become a concert pianist and one day play Carnegie Hall.

At first it started as a way to get away from my parents bickering. Then, I found that it had this perfect order and the more I played the more I found my salvation in it. Hours upon hours I would play with delusions of grandeur racing thru my young brain. You see I had it all planned out, I was going to be the next greatest pianist of all time. And actually, I was quite good. Not quite a prodigy perhaps, but a fine clinical player.

And that's all it turned out I would ever be. When I was twelve my teacher informed me that I had no sense of the art whatsoever. I was absolutely crushed. There was no way that I was going to play Carnegie Hall at the level I dreamed of if I wasn't an artist. To my parent's complete and absolute joy, I stopped playing all together, (not that that stopped them from arguing).

Instead, I changed my ambition and focused all that energy into science instead. The following year we had the CIA knocking on our door.

Cross-posted to: theatrical_muse
Word Count: 233

Perception: Generally speaking, how do you think others perceive you?

2006-04-25T04:55:10Z

Generally speaking people's first impression of me is rather consistent. Words like egotistical, intimidating, rude, sarcastic, offensive, arrogant, belligerent, self-centred, insulting and/or cynical can usually be heard in relation. And really, that's just naming a few. I know what's said, and frankly if it keeps the feeble minded away, that's probably a good thing.

From there, they typically go in one of two directions.

Those who are blind, narrow-minded idiots will deduce that I am a jerk or jackass who is too high on myself and have no idea what I'm talking about. But, like I said, those people are idiots. I mean really people, I am a genius! It's a well documented fact. And sadly, chances are you are not. Therefore logic only dictates that I have some clue into what I'm talking about. And you, well - don't.

The rest, well they may still think I'm all of the above, but they also come to realize just how vital and brilliant I really am. Those who can almost keep up with me (yes, there are a select few) or who recognize my genius for what it is, they will eventually like having me around. After all, I'm known for saving the day against all odds.

Cross-posted to: theatrical_muse
Word Count: 206

Close your eyes and think about what you've been missing in your life lately.

2006-04-22T22:31:25Z

My cat.

Hmmm, yes, sad isn’t it?

Of all the things I left behind on earth, it’s my cat that I miss the most.

I suppose, I should have said my sister, Jeannie. But, we were never really all that close. It’s something that I would like to remedy and one of my few regrets in life – that we ended up that way. However, since we aren’t all that close, it’s hard to miss her.

My cat on the other hand… There’s just something about coming home and having someone happy to see you – even if it’s a cat. Okay, some may argue that the cat only was interested in me because I fed it, but I know that wasn’t the case. She used to curl up on my stomach and purr while I watched TV. No, my cat truly liked me.

However, she’s with my neighbor now. My neighbor who most definitely did not like me, but thankfully did like my cat and was willing to take her when I left to come here. Hmmm, and I doubt there is any chance she’d give her back to me now…

Cross-posted to: theatrical_muse
Word Count: 190
Rating: PG

What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?

2006-04-11T03:08:19Z

Well now, I’ve done all sorts of dangerous things! Although, the vast majority of those things seem to have taken place within the last couple years. Funny thing, if I would have known what it was going to be like before coming to Atlantis, I would never have come.

It seems that I was rather self serving before. Always did what was best for me. After all, I am a genius and the benefits my brain alone can give society is well worth protecting. I’m not saying I’m not still self serving now. I mean, I’m still a genius and that’s still worth protecting but I seem to have grown fond of those around me and really, they have qualities worth protecting too. Huh… I really have changed!

The first time I truly understood this was when Jinto released the shadow creature that feed off energy. It drained the MALP carrying the naqahdah generator before it could cross the event horizon. It was a bad plan to begin with, but unfortunately, it was our only plan. If something wasn’t done, it would have finished feeding on the generator, then on the Stargate and eventually us.

And, really what is it about the Pegasus galaxy and life draining entities? First the Wraith, and then this shadow creature thing… Anyway, that’s unimportant at the moment.

Someone needed to do something and I was the only one who could activate the personal shield. I knew the risks involved - the entity could have easily feed off the power of the shield and then me. But, it worked out in the end. I managed to get the generator thru the gate, and like a good entity, it followed it thru.

Perhaps that’s not the most dangerous thing I’ve done. However, the shadow creature incident would be the most dangerous when you factor in my state of mind. I’ve changed, I’m not the man I used to be and with that my personal level of acceptable danger has changed as well. Since that incident, I have willing risked my life more than I ever would have imagined and I’ve stopped passing out when doing so.

Cross posted to: theatrical_muse
Word Count: 360
Rating: PG

Figures...

2006-04-02T04:08:14Z

As seen on will_porter's journal.

April Fool
aricamuse	trims your hedge into a replica of the Venus de Milo.
colonel_shades	sells your cat on Ebay.
doctordjackson	has a hundred large anchovy pizzas and a diet coke delivered to your door.
majorwraithbait	glues your dog to your bedroom ceiling.
shaman_x	enlists you in the French Foreign Legion.
will_porter	smiles. All the time.
Prank Me

What does your dream home look like?

2006-03-17T20:44:08Z

Huh, you know, amazingly enough, I’m already living in my dream home. Well, pretty close anyway. There would be a few things I would add; like a maid service, non-limited supply of my favorite coffee and chocolate bars, and of course my cat. But really, beyond that, living in Atlantis is pretty much my dream home.

Unless I started sleeping in my lab, which Major Sheppard gets on my case about, I couldn’t get any closer to my work. Some people say, home is where the heart is… well I say home is where my work is. And the work I have here at Atlantis is simply unbelievable. Yes, fine, the technology for the most part is way beyond ours, but we’re catching up. Every day we make new discoveries and more opens up to us. It’s what every genius dreams about - having the opportunity to work with something that actually challenges them. And not only is Atlantis a challenge, it’s an endless challenge. I could work around the clock for the rest of my life and still only comprehend a small percentage of all the secrets it holds. Although, that percentage would be far greater than what anyone else would be able to accomplish, of course.

Oh, I really should add, my dream home doesn’t include the wraith or any other life threatening anomaly. I know Sheppard will tell you that I work better under pressure, and that may be the case, but I much prefer to work without impending death on my doorstep thank you.

Cross posted to: theatrical_muse
Word Count: 258
Rating: PG

What Others Think...

2006-03-12T00:38:10Z

Really, I don't care what anyone thinks about me. No really, I don't. This is the way that I am, take it or leave it. I'm not a people person, and I will never claim to be. People don't make sense; they aren't logical, too… unpredictable to bother trying to figure out what their thinking or worry about how they are taking things.

I know that most people don't like me. That's fine. They don't have to. But they do have to put up with me – I'm a genius after all and it's my job get the work done not to coddle those around me. What their thoughts and feelings are back are simply irrelevant and not worth my time trying to figure out.

For some reason there are those who do seem to enjoy my company and take in interest in my well being. For those, I accept what they are willing to offer, but I don't care to know why they are interested. Chances are, it's simply because I've saved their lives or will in the future. It's not because they truly like me and really, I'd rather not have that pointed out.

Cross posted to: theatrical_muse
Word Count: 195
Rating: PG