All about Me.

I graduated from high school in June, 1986. Instead of continuing on to university, I began working almost immediately. Not one of my better decisions. I consider myself to be an intellectual type person. I don't consider myself a genius, because I am aware of my own limitations. In high school, my strong points, and what I enjoyed the most, were algebra, chemisty, biology, physics, and geography. On my own time, I fooled around with astronomy, calculus, and geometry. I love to learn. I also love to teach. For three years, I tutored algebra and chemistry. I have also had the pleasure of teaching elementary school math to a few individuals. I can't even begin to explain the feeling I get when I see the light of recognition come into a childs face. The sense of accomplishment makes it all worthwhile.

I am an animal lover. I love them all, I admit, some more than others, but all of them without exception. That, of course, doesn't mean that I'd want a warthog as a pet.*L* For myself, I prefer dogs for pets. When I say dogs, I mean real dogs. I have no use for small dogs. They're cute, but not for me. My favorite breeds of dogs are Great Dane, Doberman, and German Shepherd. My last dog was a champion Great Dane. She died two years ago of heart problems. Since I currently live in an apartment, I don't have any pets, but an 8x10 of Dania sits in its place of honor, where everyone who enters the room can see. I never knew that a person could love an animal that much, or miss them this much. She was much more than a pet. She was a friend.

I read a fair bit, mostly science fiction and humor. In fact, I have a constantly growing collection of humor related books. Everything including jokes, puns, riddles, true stories, insults, bloopers, comics ( such as Calvin and Hobbes, the Far Side, Garfield, B.C., the Wizard of Id, etc.), and Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and "Dirk Gently" series. I also enjoy reading non-fiction as well, usually science related. I have almost every book written by Carl Sagan, and quite a few by Isaac Asimov.

Music is very important in my life. I've almost always have some music playing, wherever I am. My taste in music is extremely varied. My collection, while there are some obvious omissions, includes such artists as, Aerosmith, The Andrews Sisters, Glenn Miller, Bob Marley, Chicago, Black Sabbath, Led Zepplin, The Everly Brothers, Burton Cummings, Eric Clapton, Harry Belafonte, Bing Crosby, and Frank Mills, to name a few.*S*

I love to cook, but could never be a professional chef. I do enjoy getting creative once in a while though.*S* I seem to know a little about just about everything, without really being an expert on any one subject. I can discuss nuclear physics, or child rearing. How about engine rebuilding or needlepoint. Whether it is the latest in computer technology or replumbing your home; the classification of algae or quasars; Shakespeare or inernational politics; home electronics or theology; it interests me. I am an information junkie.*S* If I don't know about it, I want to learn. That's what life is all about, isn't it? From beginning to end, life is one big learning experience.

The one thing I know most about is myself. I know my strengths, and my weaknesses. I have many strong opinions on a great variety of subjects. I also have reasons for my opinions. I'm not saying that my opinions are always correct, and I'm always willing to listen to another person's point of view. Right and wrong are not always clear cut. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I just feel that if you are going to state an opinion, you should have a reason for it. This irritates some people, I know, but it bothers me when people state that they believe something, "just because". It may be hard to put the reason into words, but it has to be there. On many occasions, I have argued with individuals for the sole purpose of demonstrating that point. Serena will attest to that. I have no problem stating my opinions or discussing them, because I have very strong reasons for them.

That about wraps it up for now. I think I've gone on long enough. Obviously there is much more than this to me, but it would take me 30 years to tell you everything.*S* If you want to know more, you are just going to have to get to know me. Then you can form your own opinions.

On a finishing note, I would like to say a word or two about something that is very important to me. Not quite as important as children, and probably just as important as learning. That is friendship. Many people cross our paths during the course of our lives. Some are destined to become nothing more than faint memories. Others will remain aquaintances. A smaller number yet, will become friends. I don't have to tell you who they are, because you already know. Cherish these people. Do not take them for granted. Friends don't have to be people you see everyday, in fact, with the popularity of the internet, they don't have to be people you see at all. They are people that have a special place in your heart. They are irreplaceable, and priceless. To all my friends, I would just like to say, " thank you" just for being you. I love you all.*HUGS* to everyone.