: About Me

I am a Stay-Home Dad to two wonderful boys, both homeschooled. They have PDD, an Autism-Spectrum disorder, and are the sweetest, brightest kids you'll ever meet. My wife and I have been married for 15 wonderful years. We live in Jennings, KS.

I love to read, write and veg out in front of the TV. Despite being a big, hairy, scary guy, I don't drink or smoke and I'm not into sports. I could care less who's playing tonight, or who wins. Sorry, sports fans; I just don't give a rat's behind. I'd rather read a book, write a story, or watch a good movie.

My politics are strict NOYB (None of Your Business). I consider myself an iconoclast; I've been disappointed by enough "heroes" to never elevate someone to that level again. Role models, yes. But no real-life heroes. At least Spider-Man isn't likely to get caught in a sex scandal (I hope!). I am an atheist, but am respectful of others' beliefs. Being married to a devout Catholic is definitive proof of that. I've never sued City Hall, because I really don't care if they put up a Nativity scene, the Ten Commandments, a Christmas tree and a 50' high crucifix. They could erect a gigantic living rendition of the Last Supper, as long as it's tasteful and doesn;t waste a ton of my tax money.

I grew up in rural (read: the boonies) Pennsylvania to abusive parents, and that's all the details I plan to share. I was unpopular in high school, to say the least. Even the nerds beat me up. And those protractors really hurt! My escape was creating: writing stories, reading voraciously, watching television. Instead of just losing myself in my favorite shows, I would craft new stories, new adventures for my favorite characters. Heck, mine were usually better!

My biggest regret is not finishing college. I attended Penn State (school motto: "Attend a class between football games, you might like it!") for three years, chasing that elusive two-year degree. College just wasn't for me at that time. Never got the Journalism degree I was after, but I garnered a healthy dislike for Journalism, which culminated in leaving college for a job on a newspaper, which lasted ten months. Had I gotten the job first, I could have saved myself a lot of grief attending classes for a career I would never have pursued.

I met my wife when I was 23 and she 20. Nobody thought we would last. Suckers. Eighteen years and two wonderful sons later, all our old friends are either divorced, unmarried, or on the rocks. Not that I am gloating.

If I seem angry or bitter, well, I have no arguement for that. We've seen tough times and had to toughen up because of them. But I know that my family and I can handle just about anything, because we've been tried and tested.

That's pretty much it. I love to write; it's the ultimate escape, even beyond reading. Who needs booze and drugs when you can create whole worlds, right?

My passion is ...

My family, writing.

I know too much about ...

Movies, TV and pop culture.

My parents always told me ...

"When a man's face resembles a pig's butt, don't trust him."

My childhood ambition ...

To be a scientist/inventor

My favorite memory ...

Kissing for the first time the woman I would one day marry.

Why I write ...

It's a release; I love to share my ideas, and it clears the constant clamor and clutter in my head.

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

Reading: "Diana's Dreams" http://goo.gl/dO6gt

My first job ...

Rest Stop Attendant (Ugh)

My best moment ...

Taking care of my wife when she was in the hospital.

My inspiration ...

My wife and wonderful children.

Hobbies & Games > Hobbies & Games (Other) Rube Goldberg and his inventive contraptions

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Known in his lifetime as an engineer, author, sculptor, cartoonist, and inventor, Reuben Garret Lucius Goldberg was born July 4, 1883 in San Francisco, CA. Despite enjoying art and possessing a talent for drawing, Rube Goldberg was discouraged in his endeavors by his father, Max. Instead, he attended the University of California at Berkeley in 1900, graduating in 1904 with a degree in engineering. After graduation, Rube accepted employment with the City of San Francisco Water and Sewers Department as an engineer. In this capacity, he designed sewer systems for the city for approximately $1...

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