List Your Specialist Subjects

No expert, but I know a bit on the following . . .

Tattoos, a bit about piercings and branding
Drugs (legal and not so much so)
Bikers and bikes
Depression (not from a psychologists or psychiatrists point of view)
Guns (pistols mainly)

I know a bit about a bunch of other randomness, usually the stuff no one else ever cares about. Oh, and I am damn near an expert at being a smartass and pissing people off. In case that helps anyone out.

I know a great deal about historic fashion, particularly the Victorian era (1850s-1900), but I can give you an overview of other eras, too. I can tell you what it actually feels like to wear a corset, to walk in a trained petticoat, and to sit in a bustle! I have done research into the various types of dresses that women wore throughout the day, such as wrappers, visiting dresses, at-home dresses, walking dresses, dinner dresses, evening gowns, etc., and what sorts of accessories a well-dressed Victorian woman would wear.

I'm a dressmaker, so I can tell you a lot about sewing--especially how to sew historic clothing.

I'm knowledgeable about some mental health issues, particularly Dissociative Identity Disorder, aka Multiple Personalities. I'm bipolar, so I know a little about that. I also know about PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and dealing with the after-affects of child abuse and sexual trauma.

I also know a great deal about chronic pain, especially living with fibromyalgia and migraines.

If you need useless information, I probably know it. At least that is what everyone tells me.
I have a Master's degree in Science Education and taught lots of Biology and such. Even have some published textbooks that I co-authored.
I have Asperger Syndrome so I can discuss that, as well as paranoia, anxiety, and depression. I have a DS with severe delays so I can discuss parenting and home-school in that area.
Sadly, I can tell you all about what it is like to be physically and emotionally abused as a child. I wish I was not an expert in that.
Also since my DH is military, I can give you some insight into that lifestyle.
Last but not least I know what it is like to be taller then 99% of all humans on the planet!!!

I could help with the following topics:

1. Languages. This is my field of work, study, I've got one university degree in that subject, I'm working on two more degrees at the moment and it's my greatest hobby (except for writing). "Languages" is a bit broadly spoken... so I'll explain. I do a lot about language families and language structure so I can provide some basic knowledge about many languages on this planet, which means I can tell you where it is spoken, what languages it is similar to, where its origins are, how many people do speak it and what the very very basic structure (grammar) is like. There is no specific area I'm restricted to, the only field I've never worked with are the languages of Native Americans. Mostly I worked with Balto-Slavic, Germanic, Romance, Finno-Ugric, Turkic, Mongolic and Semitic languages.
I do have some further knowledge in Russian and German (fluent), Persian, Estonian, Mongolian (intermediate), Spanish, Arabian, Chinese, Norwegian, Ukrainian (very basic).

2. Cultures. Of course you can't do so much with languages without getting to know the culture of the linguistic area you're working with. And it's the most interesting part, anyway So I'm quite familiar with the cultures of Europe (especially Northern and Eastern Europe), Russia (European+Asian part), Central Asia and Middle East, and a bit East Asia (China+Japan). I might know more about World War II and German/Russian/European history than most people in the USA do as well.

3. Interpreting/translating. I'm working for the Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators in my country of residence so I know much about how translations are done, what common specialisms there are, what to do if you want to work as a translator/interpreter, what to do if you want to have a novel translated... and so on.

4. Mental illness, especially autism, depression, anorexia, bulimia, transsexuality, borderline, deliberate self-harm, schizophrenia. I'm not an expert but I personally know people with all of the above (I mean, different people, not one person with all of the above ^^). I know them quite well, it's not like someone I just met once or twice. I have some theoretical knowledge about it as well. Happens if your mom is working at a psychiatric hospital...
I also know about intellectual giftedness which is, of course, not a mental illness, but I don't know where else to put it and it occurs with the above from time to time anyway.

5. Organic farming. Just something I'm interested in so I read a lot about it and worked at a farm for some weeks. And I grew up on countryside. I know some stuff about goats and sheep, especially for milk production, and a bit about poultry, cows, pigs... No knowledge about mass production, though. Just organic farming, mom-and-pop operation size...

6. International adoption. Again, just out of interest I read a lot so I know some stuff about it...

7. Torture experience, PTSD - At my second job I work with torture victims (refugees, mostly). So maybe I could help with some info...

That's it, I think.

Hi there!

I can provide in-depth information on:

- German language (native speaker)
- German culture (Eastern Germany and Berlin, post-reunion, middle-class; especially school system and life as a university student)
- biology, especially microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology (genetics): I’m currently working on my Bachelor’s thesis, but have already attended a number of grad-level courses (Germany’s higher education system just changed dramatically to split a longer Diploma degree into Bachelor and Master level). My studies are more focussed on microbial biochemistry and genetics at the moment, with a bit of plants at the side. But I still can make an educated estimation on whether your bio-terrorism or human cloning plot is complete bull or really puts back the “science” in “science fiction”.
- working in a research lab (university-attached, non-medical, lowest level of security; still involves stuff like handling radioactive markers and highly toxic compounds)
- working in retail during the Christmas season (large book / music store)
- being asexual (and quite possibly aromantic, too, though I haven't given up hope yet)
- being a born and bred atheist / apathetic agnostic (“Don’t know, don’t care.”)
- being the child of parents of fairly advanced age for their generation (father 42, mother 39 at time of birth; that was very late in the 80's); having your father die when you're 17


Other stuff I know a fair bit about, due to personal interest:

- natural sciences: I’ve had basic courses in inorganic chemistry, botany, plant and animal physiology, evolution, paleothology (just reptiles) and ecology (I’ve also had courses on organic chemistry, physical chemistry, experimental physics and math, but I’m not very strong on those subjects.) I’ve read up on geology, human anatomy, basic astronomy (more the “How does a black hole work?” than the “What’s that constellation?” side of it)… Basically everything that strikes me as interesting or useful for authentic world building,
- history: pre-historic (i.e. stone age anthropology), Roman (more general life than battles and emperors), whatever I can remember from high school on German / central European history from the middle ages up to WW II (history was one of my ‘A levels’, but it’s been a while)
- mythology: bits and pieces from various occidental cultures: Greco-Roman, Egyptian, Nordic/Germanic, Judeo-Christian (I’m one of those people who have never been to church except for sight-seeing and their grandparent’s funerals, but who is baffled if other people don’t know what a seraphim is. I’ve read the bible, not for religious education, but because it’s the basis of my culture.); German fairy tales, too. The original Grimm stories, a few well known ‘artificial fairy tales’ from the romantic era, as well as other traditional tales.
- I’ve travelled quite a bit around Europe and the Mediterranean as a teenager, so I might relate an impression or two if you want to set a scene in some Moroccan souq, Turkish ruin, Roman catacomb or Norwegian Viking theme park or whatever and can't find a native to give you more in-depth information. I still have all the travel guides, too.


Things I can easily ask someone close to me:

- pharmacy and pharmacology (effects of medication, herbs, toxic plants…)
- basic medicine (traditional remedies, pharmacy through the ages, and what will rub off when you’re married to a GP for the better part of two decades)
- taking care of a person with Alzheimer’s
- living with various and sundry allergies, and diabetes
- running and losing a small business in post-reunion Germany
- history and culture of the German Democratic Republic, and at least some bits and pieces about the rest of the Warsaw Pact
- experience with the German Reunion (I myself was to young to remember much.)
- gardening

Good idea for a thread. I haven't been through the whole thing so on the off chance nobody else has offered the same, I can help with any questions on working in a record shop, a library and as a hospital orderly. So if you want to know about music or booky stuff or how heavy an amputated leg is (very), I'm your man.

I don't think I can claim any expertise in anything. However, I have had some rough experiences in life and can give you first hand insight into how it feels and effects your life to be sexually abused, trapped in a freezer in ninety degree weather, and stalked by a stranger (I can't say psycho but definitely mental.) Writing has been my self prescribed therapy so I'm no longer afraid to talk about these experiences.

What a fantastic resource this thread is! No way to go through it all, but it's great to know it's there. Not that I'm not intimidated by all the knowledge out there in the forum, but I guess I'll throw mine onto the pile in case anyone wants it:
- Biochemistry, molecular biology, neuroscience (specialization neurology and neurosurgery), medical science in general (I was a researcher, grad student, and medical writer)
I'll keep my general interest stuff to myself - I have the impression there's an expert here already, for any of that.

I know a little about a lot of things, but I guess I'd put these down as the things I know thoroughly that not everyone has experience with.

• drug use and experimentation
• New York City
• Paris
• Nightlife/Clubbing and culture in both cities
• French language
• A variety of sex work (legal and illegal)
• Bipolar disorder
• hospitality industry
• Childcare
• Fashion Week in New York or Paris

My areas of expertise:

Ballet: performance, costume, toe shoes, the works - I was a professional ballet dancer
Little theatre: rehearsals, set design, lighting (some), children's theater, touring
General ambiance for both

Computer programming

I am a polyglot in terms of trivia and can sometimes come up with stuff I remember from a book I once read or a programme I once watched or a person I once talked too who was an expert... but I am specifically good at the following:

- Biology: specifically clinical biochemistry, cell biology (especially cell signalling), haemotology, endocrinology, anatomy and physiology, the immune system (specifically how steroids affect it and also how it ages) and gerontology (how the human body ages). This is based on degree knowledge (a BSc, an MSc, an MPhil) and experience in hospital laboratories.
- Research methods in biological sciences. Based on experience of working in a number of labs - industrial, academic and clinical - as well as attendence at conferences in the days when I was still a scientist.
- Diabetes Mellitus (specifically Type I but also know a lot about Type II) based on both experience of having the disease for more than 20 years now and also doing a research project on it as part of my MSc (and a General Studies AS project on the History of Diabetic Treatment).
- Teaching. It has been commented on that I have possibly the broadest experience of any teacher given that I have taught everything from UK KS2 (I think that's elementary to you US types - the 7 - 10 year old range) right up to KS5 (which is 16 - 18) and also having had experience teaching adults and special needs. Also, my PGCE essay scores showed that I am capable of writing critically and academically about a lot of education theory bullshit well enough to convince academics I understood some of it

- Live Action Roleplay (and to a lesser extent re-enactment). I have been a LRPer since I was 19, have organised and run my own system and assisted in the running of many more - both small and large scale. If there isn't a question about the UK LRP scene I don't know the answer to, I can certainly find someone who does know. I add this one after having watched Role Models recently and cringing all through the roleplaying bits (except the last scene which redeemed some of it ) and realising that there are few outside the scene who do understand LRP properly...

Current Airline Pilot
Jet Aircraft and Turboprops
Corporate Aviation
General Aviation

I'm a Forensic Psychiatrist. So all the medical knowledge that involves the specialty of Psychiatry and the subspecialty of Forensics and I have experience in Geriatrics. Also, general medical knowledge. The most FAQ I get is what's the difference between Psychiatry and Psychology and most people know, but for those that don't, Psychiatry is a medical specialty(medical school), psychology involves a PhD or PsyD.

Dogs, including; behavior, training methods (both historical and modern), aggression issues, sled dogs, military dogs, and other working dog areas. (I'm a professional dog trainer.)

History of dogs and other animals in movies.

Working with animals on movie/TV/photo sets.

What it's like to work on film sets in general—I could answer some basics.

And, to a smaller extent, World War One, mostly from the British perspective. Not quite an expert on that yet, but I'm getting there.

Specialist stuff that I know.

Working on a Masters in Geology, that includes everything under the sun. Volcanos, earthquakes, carbonates (reef systems), paleontology, ground water, evolution etc.

Minored in History emphasizing Japanese History.

Lifelong Mormon so I can blather on religion, and I know several other religions decently (Islam, Catholicism, some Judaism)

Almost was an astrophysics major, so I know a decent deal of that.

I'm a con goes and massive networker, so I know a lot about Genre Writing that I've garnered from pros, editors, agents and so on. Specifically in the areas of publishing, editors, that sort of thing.

Feel free to ask me anything

My expertise:
Occultism (actual practice), world mythologies, plus size fashion, blogging, tarot, social media and online networking, pranks, perfumery, herbalism, gardening/indoor gardening, urban homesteading, intercultural communication, world faiths, midwestern life, library use, local government, grassroots activism -
I also have a b.s. in mass communication.

I forgot. I have a teen-age daughter who is an avid YA reader!

Female clothing from the years 1475-80 in the Republic of Florence... right down to what stitches were probably used (probably because of the lack of archaeological record.)
I also reenact this time and place so am ok with many general questions about food and material culture and food. Food gets extra mention not because I have extra knowledge but because it is extra good.

Historic clothing for females in general.
I am a costumer who does many historical dresses but also fantasy and steampunk etc.

I am a handsewer, as in I sew most things by hand. My handsewing is better and stronger than machine sewing. I might be able to help with "How long would it have taken to sew" questions.

I studied archaeology at uni so might be able to help with Archaeology questions, depending on the question.

I grew up in New Zealand in the 80s and 90s but now live in Australia, so can answer many questions relating to both countries. I saw the education system in both places but keep in mind the New Zealand schooling system changed for the year after me so I can't comment on current education stuff.

Military life, uniforms and practices, U.S. Marine Corps in particular. A bit of tactics and history.

Culture and setting of Iraq and Indonesia, two of my favorite places (and places I've been to that many haven't).

WW2 Eastern European history, especially of Poland. If you need to know something about Ravensbruck medical experimentation or the Katyn massacre or the Warsaw Uprising, I'm your girl (this never comes up in real life. I fail at cocktail parties).

If I can be of any assistance, I would be more than happy to help anyone. My areas of expertise:

Business/corporate finance/accounting
Beer
Cooking
Travel
Music - rock, pop, some punk
Sports - baseball, football, basketball

Sat Nam! (literally "Truth Name"--a Sikh greeting)

Well, as you can tell from my greeting, I'm a practicing Sikh. I can talk at length about Sikhism (one of my books is Sikh Spiritual Practice: The Sound Way to God), what it's like to wear a turban, what it's like to be at risk for the 9/11 backlash, what it's like to found an interfaith organization, what it's like to live in an interfaith marriage, how to maintain a longterm marriage, what it's like being multi-gifted and high IQ (think "green monkey"), what it's like having Raynaud's syndrome, what it's like teaching and practicing Kundalini Yoga and meditation (my other book is Yoga for Prosperity), and what it's like being a vegetarian with food allergies/restrictions.

I also have some knowledge of Oriental rugs (including how to wash them), classical vocal training, painting in acrylics and colorpencil drawing. One of my avocations is house design, and while you wouldn't want to call on me as an architect, I can point you to some good references for period housing designs. Ditto with opera recordings.

I was raised in San Diego, specifically in Hillcrest, and lived most of my adult life in Salem, Oregon. And I attended UCSC in its early years.

I also had a New Age grandma who practiced automatic writing and can descibe what it looked like.

Feel free to contact me about any of these or anything you feel may relate to any of these.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal

This thread underlines one of my absolute favorite things about the internet, and communities in general....people ALWAYS know the most amazing things.

Tossing mine into the pot:
-- Rats! I've done rat rescue for years and know a lot about their personalities, behaviors, health, etc.

-- Insurance, especially car insurance. I work in a claims center so if you need to wreck your character's car, I can tell you all about the claims process.

-- Videogames and comic books. I happen to be living with an absolute master-geek who has an encyclopediacal knowledge of such things and would be happy to field questions on the topic.

I thought since I got such a huge help in this forum, I'd contribute a little more heavily to it by listing what I know here.

Expert advice I can give is in:

1. MMORPGs - I know the people, age groups, how cultures etc. Pretty much any type of MMORPG

2. Swedish language and culture - I know quite a bit about it.

3. Growing up abroad - I've lived in Libya (ten years from 1970-1980), Indonesia, Saudia Arabia. I didn't move back to the USA until I was 14, so I have a good understanding of Muslim culture. Bear in mind that I have a mostly positive experience with Muslim culture. If you're expecting to hear about how awful it was, you're going to be disappointed.

4. Gay culture (thought this would be mostly the 90's version and Denver gay scene).

5. Pirating - as in computer not the argh avast ye mateys. Let me say here that I don't want to have arguments about pro or cons of pirating. I do not condone and I do not download books, movies etc. But I can tell you how it's done if you need it for research.

6. Living abroad as an American

7. Infertility and it's effect.

8. December - May relationship

9. Depression

10. Spondylolsis - degenerative back disorder (er disorder? I dunno what it is, but I have it and it sucks).

11. Beagles and Siamese cats

12. Living and working with handicapable people. (I love that word, it's awesome, so I'm using it.)

13. Teaching in urban areas

I have no idea if this is at all helpful. I hope it is because most of the people on this board have been such a godsend to me. If I can give back even a little, it's all good.

Ooh what a fun thread. I can help with the following:

- Teaching high school English (the horror...the horror...okay, not all of it)

- Living in a rural village

- Participating in community theater, esp. acting and costuming

- DIY renovation on old and not-old-but-beat-up houses

- Off-the-boat immigrant grandparents (Italian)

- Baking an apple pie from scratch (it's an art)

- Thyroid disease

- Being a member of a coven

- Attending Catholic girls high school

- First-hand experience of...the '80s!