: About Me

Starting at what was very nearly "The End", I currently deal daily with aftershocks of a profound cardiac "event"; aka severe heart attack. Not extraordinary these days of course, thank goodness! Just provides a benchmark.

Professionally speaking, I actively work as a structural engineer by day, and often by late evening. My Own Boss, as "they" say. I do keep the faith, drawing old-school-style on a real live oak drafting board, positioned just inside the big picture window at my office.

Bulk of my writing to date has been about technical investigations, as part of my structured role as engineer. Unfortunately, it took the cataclysm of nine-eleven to emblazon the formerly buried topic of building failures on the public consciousness. Yet, before there was a 2001, this intrepid reporter toiled amidst twisted steel to uncover causes for collapse.

Other than springing forth into the world in Big Spring, Texas......I have lived near (and sang Karoake at) various historic pubs throughout the Garden State. If you wander off the NJ Turnpike, you can find many gardens and wild country scenes in the state Ben Franklin (I believe) described as similar to a keg (as in beer) tapped at both ends (by Philladelphia & New York City).

Princeton, Class of '77, originally '76.

Married thrice. Fathered once (daughter, now teaching, and having fun I hope).

In 2000, and again in 2004, I voted for Ralph Nader, just for fun (mostly). Yet, don't be fooled by my "nice guy" persona *winK*. Of current politicos, Dick Cheyney is in my Hall of Fame. "Bedtime for Brezhnev" hangs prominently on the wall at home, courtesy of Bolshoi Films....and my fabulous, maH~vaH~Lous wife Karen (birthday present).

Which brings us back to ...Doe a Dear....oh my.....how time .....you might think.....

My passion is ...

In rough chronlogical order.......baseball, chess, computer programming, golf, running, politics, history, critic (oops)....and now, staying alive

I know too much about ...

Cardiology

My parents always told me ...

Education is important.........ok, so I learned something from them

My childhood ambition ...

Never grow up........completely

My favorite memory ...

Not sure

Why I write ...

Work In Progress

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

Reading......(1) Biography of John Stevens; (2) The Quest for Corvo (3) "Last Three Miles", story of building the Pulaski Skyway in NJ

My first job ...

Caddy.........starting from / in a gosh~by~golly caddy shack no less

My best moment ...

Too many to even consider leaving out

My inspiration ...

Varies.......though summer is a constant

Home & Garden > Architecture Steel beams, columns and other components: Understanding basic terms

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Builders engaged in residential construction often do not have a basic understanding of steel components. Such lack of knowledge can result in problems during bidding and construction. This discussion is aimed at providing basic information about steel components for building contractors, owners, inspectors and others with interest. Basic Terms Before discussing specific steel components or elements, it is important to understand basic terminology that is applicable for all materials. Please skip down to the next section if you are already familiar with these terms. "Force" or "load" are t...

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