: About Me

I started writing as a hobby when I was eleven years old. I wrote twenty-two poems overnight, in an effort to reach my mother's proverbial heart. I decided shortly thereafter that the proverbial heart was a myth. I continued to write, and broadened my horizons quickly. If someone liked a short story I wrote, then I wrote another one. This patterned continued until I found I could write on most any subject, in any prescribed format. Honestly, I prefer writing fiction, because you do not have to name your sources, and nobody is expected to believe what you write. But you will not find my fictional writings on this site, so please do not presume that any of my articles posted on this site are fiction.

My first taste of journalism came when I was in middle school. My friends and I had created a club called "Code Breakers." In the beginning I was researching cyphers and Morse Code, and simply sharing my findings with my friends. Eventually, my format turned into a newsletter, and later, a magazine, written and illustrated by hand, with no access to computers or copy machines. I made just enough copies for each member in the club. We decided to increase club funds by charging each member ten cents for each issue, including myself. The profits went to the club treasury, along with club dues. The magazine was published weekly. After about three months of dues and magazine earnings, we had enough money to have a pizza party. That was the grand finale, because half of the members of our club were moving, and I was one of them.

I wrote the occasional freelance article for my high school newspaper, but I was far too busy to commit to a position on the staff. The faculty hounded me for my entire attendance in that particular high school (three an a half years) because I had several fans. However, I was already overcommitted with Swim Team, Art Club, International Club, Drama Club, National Honor Society, Marching Band, and Explorer Scouts, and my parents would not allow me to commit to anything else without dropping one of my previous committed activities.

I also worked on a couple of novels, which always seemed to encounter some disastrous end by chapter six or seven. My first novel, The Way That God Intended, came to an abrupt end when somebody stole the first six chapters, and I did not have a back up copy. Of course this experience taught me nothing, because my second novel, First A.I.D.S., was destroyed in a house fire as I was contemplating my seventh chapter. I currently have two novels in progress, but neither one has a title yet. The first one has hit a block, but the second one, started only a year and a half ago, is already on chapter five, so I am creating back up copies everywhere.

Professionally, I have moved around a bit. I have worked in everything from child care, and sales, to construction, and communications. After almost five years as a soldier in the US Military, I am returning to the civilian population to pursue the only career I ever wanted anyways - the life of a writer! I am a junior in college, working towards my BA in English. I hope you enjoy reading my articles. Most of it is derived from personal experiences, but some may include personal interviews, or credible research.

My passion is ...

truth.

I know too much about ...

overcoming adversity in modern society.

My parents always told me ...

I was a wonderful writer, but I should not expect to make a living that way.

My childhood ambition ...

has always been to have the world read my stories.

My favorite memory ...

was a picnic on a cliff overlooking a green valley.

Why I write ...

God gave me ten fingers; why not?

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

I have thoroughly enjoyed the latest works of Tess Gerritsen.

My first job ...

was washing windows for $2/window when I was seven.

My best moment ...

is yet to be seen.

My inspiration ...

Life is unpredictable and tomorrow's leaders need as much positive influence as possible.

Personal Finance > Personal Finance (Other) Giving and donations: Trustworthy charities and organizations

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The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign Every year, around the week of Thanksgiving, The Salvation Army Red Kettle stands pop up everywhere. They are outside the door at the grocery store, they are at the mall, and they are even at both doors of the local Wal-Mart stores. There is usually a cheerful person standing next to the kettle stand ringing bells and wishing all a "Merry Christmas." Do you know where that money goes? Do you even know what The Salvation Army does? At least $0.85 out of every dollar collected during the Red Kettle Campaign goes right back into the local community in wh...

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