> I'm German ... there is a line to be drawn at the point where an application in itself bothers someone else simply because it's unrealistic and the rejection produces unnecessary work.

Hey, I'm a New Zealander, I'm more than familiar with living in a culture that frowns on self-promotion. And I'm also more than familiar with having missed out on opportunities because I talked myself out even trying.

So, with my credentials out of the way...

Here's that email link for Michael, use it: http://www.valvesoftware.com/email.php?recipient=Michael+Abr...

Don't know what to write? No problem, you've already written it:

-----------8<-----------

This is it. Never has anyone more perfectly described the way in which I want to work. I love to work in teams on projects where I feel I can make an impact to the extent of my capabilities and starting projects myself is deeply entrenched in my nature.

I've been thinking about wearable computing for the past 5 years and even went on to study Computer Vision because of it, but after 3 semesters i switched the field to general computer science, mostly because i didn't exactly wanted to reimplement AR-Engines and learn about all the algorithms behind object recognition but just use them for the things I had imagined. I've been working in the past year with Metaio's AR Framework called Junaio and Qualcomms AR SDK for Unity 3D and will write about some of my ideas and findings in the next weeks. (You can create impromptu Project Glass glasses by taping a HD Screen Phone like the Galaxy Nexus in 10-15cm distance from your eyes onto some fake glasses and add counter weights on the opposite side, it's enough for testing all the ideas you have in that field until the real Glass comes along)

Right now i feel very bad about my decision to switch fields and focus on working more while studying to get more experience, simply because I think that if i would've finished my computer vision studies i would feel more adequate to send them a job application now...

Don't forget that Valve is a 300 people company from america who has a fame of being an awesome workplace like no other game company I know of. They are already drowning in job applications from people who actively try to shape their CV to be a good applicant to them. They have the luxury to hire the 0,0001%.

I'm German, haven't finished my studies at non-famous universities and probably won't for a while since i'm working 75% of my time as a freelancer to support myself. I haven't worked professionally on any gaming project, my 3D Math skills are basic and most of my professional experience is in web projects working with Java, Javascript and PHP, although I've worked on 3D Stuff in C++ (Good old Irrlicht Engine!) when i was younger.

As much as i like the idea of not pre-rejecting yourself, there is a line to be drawn at the point where an application in itself bothers someone else simply because it's unrealistic and the rejection produces unnecessary work.

-----------8<-----------

Now, shut up, stop worrying about creating unnecessary work for Michael, stop making excuses and send that email.

Don't make me think that taking the time to write this reply was unnecessary work. :)

If you have a positive response you can buy one of my Bright Bunnies in appreciation: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10708 (Note the subtle self-promotion? It is possible to learn! :) )