Petra...yes, I dress pretty badly....but I keep in shape. But, who cares? I know Dale Krause, and it does not surprise me `that you got a good impression of him. He did some work in offshore southern California back in the 60s....
I don't see an overwhelming lack of women in geoscience....although that may not be the case in industry....I don't know. There is an overwhelming lack of black people...there are essentially none in this country.

But, one thing to consider....you have to be pretty confident to do research or teach. You show a little lack of confidence and students can be brutal (I don't teach after a bad experience with brutal students...permanently retired from that). To get funded for research or get your papers accepted, not only do the papers and proposals have to be excellent, but it helps to have an aura (sp?) of confidence and ability. It does not have to be true...you can be a flaming idiot pushing nonsense, but you have to at least fool reviewers/colleagues into thinking you are freaking brilliant. Just to be clear, I am actually freaking brilliant.
Chris