: About Me

Hello. Like most of you out there, I consider myself to be a multi-faceted person with a wide array of interests. I've always wanted to be a writer...I've got many unfinished projects out there. I joined Helium as a way to get some of my words out there, but until now I hadn't decided what to write about.

My first article, published November 11th, was a recipe handed down to me from my mother, who got it from my grandmother, and so on... For the past couple of years, I've developed an acute interest in cooking. I love to eat! Who doesn't? So my first piece was easy.

For anyone out there who might take an interest in me, I want you to know that cooking is not my only bag, baby! Here are some things that pique my attentions and will surely be fodder for my writings in the future:

- Roller Coasters - I'm a card-carrying member of American Coaster Enthusiasts.

- Travel - I've been to Italy, twice! I've also done some cruising, to Bermuda, and relaxed in the tropical, yet arid Caribbean island of Aruba.

- Politics - I'm definitely left-leaning and I've got a lot of strong opinions about almost anything and everything to do with how I see my country and my planet!

- Teaching - I'm a teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESL). I changed careers at the age of thirty-five and I've finally found what I was meant to do (except maybe writing!)

- Cooking - I love to eat! About two years ago, I bought myself a Rachel Ray cookbook and began to take an interest in cooking, and I have to say I've become quite good at concocting some tasty recipes.

- New York City - I was born in the Bronx, NYC. Ever since I was a little boy, the greatest city in the world has always held a fascination for me, as it has had for many. On September 11, 2001, my city was attacked and I took it very personally. I currently live on Long Island, just an hour or so away from the center of the universe, so I still enjoy it as much as I can.

- Music - I'm a former disc jockey and it was no coincidence that I am a lover of all types of music and I think it is the universal language!

- Theater - There's no other venue than live theater for great entertainment. I've seen many a show in my time, and whether it's on the Great White Way or the local community theater, it's great entertainment.

- Gay - Yes, I've finally got it out! I've been out to my family since I was nineteen years old, yet there's still a closeted side to me. I don't want to say much more about it right now, but maybe I'll work through it here one day.

So that's a little about the multi-faceted me. I look forward to sharing through my writing and I hope you enjoy what I've got to say.
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My passion is ...

roller coasters

I know too much about ...

politics

My parents always told me ...

Never give up your dreams.

My childhood ambition ...

to be a veterinarian

My favorite memory ...

trips to Great Adventure

Why I write ...

I want to be heard!

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

My Big Fat Queer Life by T.M. Ford / Survivor / Amy Winehouse and Fergie

My first job ...

busboy at the Bronx Zoo

My best moment ...

graduating from college at 38

My inspiration ...

Randi Rhodes and Keith Olbermann

Personal Finance > Credit Cards Getting control of your credit card debt

11 of 25

Today's economy has put a major squeeze on the wallets of the middle class. Stagnant wages and rising prices have placed millions of Americans in the position of having very little disposable income. Monthly bills gobble up earnings and very little is left for non-essentials, like dining and entertainment. Unforeseeable expenditures, such as the breakdown of an automobile or a household appliance leave consumers with no choice but to add to their seemingly unending debt, by using their credit cards to cover the cost. As a result, credit card debt adds up quickly, saddling the consumer with...

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