VERY LATEST - I want to thank the staff for sending me birthday greetings - it's been entirely too long.  It's been two and a half years since relocating to Florida - and I'm still loving it!  Say hi when you can.

 

LATEST - I can't believe how long it's been since visiting.  I have moved from the DC-area, landing in Jacksonville, FL in January.  My dog Lily and I are having a great time.  Can't say when I'll be writing again, but it's nice to see some familiar faces!

 

(NOT SO LATEST) - Well, since I've been in and out of here so often, and have been on the site for over a couple of years, I suppose it's time for me to update this profile - so there - it's updated!  Been undergoing some changes in my life and have gotten away from the reading and writing that I enjoy.  Haven't quite gotten back to the writing, but I'm trying to catch up on my reading, first with old friends and then with some of the new talented that is now gracing the pages of C-P.  If you take a moment to read my meager offerings, you'll see they are all over the place.  That's because I don't know what the heck I'm doing - I'm just trying to have some fun.

 

Some have wondered about Tashtego - he's a character from one of my favorite books, Moby Dick.  One of three harpooners aboard the Pequod, Tashtego is a Gay Head Indian (that has NOTHING to do with his sexual orientation, thank you very much) from Martha’s Vineyard, one of the last of a tribe about to disappear. Tashtego performs many of the skilled tasks aboard the ship, such as tapping the case of spermaceti in the whale’s head.  It was while doing this when he fell inside a slain whale, only to be rescued by the more famous harpooner, the "cannibal" Queequeeg.  

 Nimble as a cat, Tashtego mounts aloft; and without altering his erect posture, runs straight out upon the overhanging main-yard-arm, to the part where it exactly projects over the hoisted Tun.

 

As for me, I'm NOT a native-American.  I am an American by birth, but a Virginian by the grace of God.  I'm on my fourth or fifth career (kind of lost count) after spending 21 years wearing the uniform of the U.S. Navy.  I respect everyone's right to opposing opinions - that's part of the point of me serving in the military (in short, I might not agree with what you are saying, but I'll defend your right to say it). 

 

I try not to take myself too seriously - I think we all might do better if we were able to step back and laugh at some aspect of ourselves.  I'm a dog lover, beer drinker, baseball lover (Brooks Robinson IS the greatest third baseman of all times) and even though I wear a tie to work, I'd prefer not to.  Is that enough? 

 

Thanks for all the kind remarks and support shown to date.  I enjoy reading your writings - hope you will do the same with mine.