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I think it's only fair if you're going to be reading stuff I publish that you should have a little information about my background (if you're interested you can look at my résumé). Not that life is fair mind you -- if it was I'd be 6 feet tall, have hair and still weigh the same I do now!
I was born in California -- on an island off the coast of -- but not too far. We didn't have to swim to the mainland or anything like that. We didn't stay there too long before my family picked up and moved to New Mexico. That is different than Old Mexico for the geographically impaired. I do know how to say "adobe" and I did acquire a taste for rather spicy food.
My kid days were spent in a small town, Roswell for all you UFO buffs, where government was the main industry. I attended the small, Catholic school and learned my lessons well from the Sisters of St. Casimir. We still get Christmas cards from the former Principal and one of our homeroom teachers. I don't know if it's such a good thing that we made such a lasting impression on them!
My wife and I met when she transferred into the high school from one of the public schools. She hated me from the beginning -- it took me a couple of years of courting to get her to finally go on a date with me. (She might call it badgering instead of courting). That's right -- high school sweethearts.
We got married when we were 19 (kids, please don't do that -- it was crazy then it's sheer madness now). We were both in college but then we started having babies. Seven to be exact - one at a time over the years.
I've been programming or doing something with computers since they were invented. Currently, I'm the Director of Information Systems and Chief Information Officer at Servus Financial Corporation. We provide services (human and computer) required to make educational related loans (student loans). Speaking of student loans, why don't you wander over to The Complete Source if you want more details on how to finance you or your kid's education. Our application software was written using PROGRESS, a fourth generation database language (and relational database engine). The production system runs on a Digital Alpha axp 7710 (a really fast box) under Digital UNIX 3.2.
When I'm not working (which my wife would say is never) I'm a veritable power house of energy and projects. My number one project is holding down our floating couch in the family room. My second hobby is in the interest of consumer products where I test the durability and ergonomics of remote controls for the electronic entertainment industry. It's a tough job but somebody's got to do it!
We go camping when it warms up enough for the trailer parks to open. We especially like the campgrounds that are near factory outlet malls or large craft shows. Halloween in the woods is a real treat -- the kids are in heaven because the sites are so close they can clear candy like nobody's business! In the summer we end up camping on the beach for a couple of weeks.
The Internet is another hobby, kind of work related, but it took on a life of its own when I got my own website! I have thoroughly enjoyed learning how to do HTML and exploring the World Wide Web (in my copious spare time). I'm now trying to figure out how to surf the web from the family room couch with the remote control! I'll bet I'd be as rich as Bill Gates if I could figure that one out!
Anyway, enjoy your surfing and come back to see the new stuff that will be appearing from time to time!
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