I was born in Atlanta, GA and grew up in several medium size towns, mostly on the outskirts of Atlanta.  I went to public school through the 12th grade and graduated from Joseph Wheeler High in 1971, having memorized and recited all the required nonsense that passes for education.

I spent my early years doing a variety of odd jobs, mostly in construction.  At one point, that began to feel pointless and I undertook the first of several complete career changes.  I studied bovine reproductive management and artificial insemination at the UofG college of Ag in Athens, thereafter gaining a position as ranch manager/herdsman of a small purebred cattle operation near the South Carolina line.

After a few years, that too seemed to be somewhat of a dead end, and so I moved to the northwest and took an entry level position in a software development company, Timberline Software.  I spent 15 years in software development.  My final position being vice president of quality assurance.  When I was separated from Timberline, fat severance not withstanding, I had acquired a dislike for the corporate world, and determined to do something different.  I tried being a Realtor and finally came to the conclusion that I don't enjoy selling (particularly selling myself, which in real estate is the main product).  My efforts at freelance insurance adjusting were thwarted by mother nature - there were no hurricanes in Florida for the following two years.

After a brief stint as an audio/visual design engineer, I once again found myself looking for work.  I was faced with some difficult choices.