Introduce yourself

I feel so inadequate next to this group of over-achievers...

I'm 43, a writer of software manuals by day and of science fiction, fantasy and horror by night. I'm also a movie critic, syndicated across Canada on CBC Radio. I've studied history but never finished a degree, as people kept hiring me to work as a DJ or sports announcer or newspaper music critic or editor. My interest in WWI aviation goes back to childhood and a book called "Kights of the Air." I don't fly and have no web site, but some day...

[Shooter]

Chris:

My name is Bill. I am five days older than Barrett, so we will not talk about "aging."

I never finished college, even though I have taken courses for over fifteen years, with six different schools. I did complete a 22 year career in the USMC, which in a way gives me a MA in infantry combat (all those nasty little fire-fights kept interrupting my classes). I have more blue-water time than most Fleet sailors, and have done port-calls and landing ops on five continents (six if you count Central America as a continent).

I am a devoted student of the great Jeff Cooper, and accomplished marksman with the M1911.

I have an abiding interest in military history and pursue this constantly, when I am not writing (I am an aspiring author), shooting, or drinking beer (mass quantities...BTW, about the honorary Canadian citizenship, the exam is okay with me, but MUST it be Labatt's?).

I live alone with my teenaged son (those of you who have teenaged sons know what I mean), the last of three issues and my best hope to produce ONE productive citizen. I also have a lovable & dopey golden retriever, two ungreatful cats, and neighbors who fear me (with some reason).

I like my meat red (and rare), my beer ice cold, my wine red and at room temp, and my whiskey (Irish) straight up. I like garlic on or in everything that I eat, except ice cream. I like Mustangs (cars & warbirds), the Eagles (rock group & football team--yeah, life is tough on an Eagle fan), .45 caliber (11.43mm for the Euro-weenies) sidearms and 12 gauge (social work only) shotguns. And I like Broncos (the 4x4, not the football team).


Andrew: I will join your club when a chapter opens in NC. I am partial to Bordeaux's, but any decent claret will do.

Ira: I have a great library, but it is mostly paperbacks with leaves falling out. Some of the volumes actually don't have pictures in them.

with my compliments, sir,

DVC

Bill

PS: Quote of the day -- "There is a shortage of natural resources. There is a shortage of breathable air. There is even, alas, a shortage of adequate claret. BUT there is no shortage of historians. We grind you out like link sausages and you are every bit as bright!"

Professor Bisenthal, from the novel "Marathon Man" by William Goldman

My real name is Jonathan Desautels.
I work at a Software Mail-Order House; Chips & Bits Inc. I'm in charge of Affiliate sales there.
Anyone interested in getting any computer games should check it out (www.cdmag.com). Sorry this is becoming a solicitation. aaahh.

Ok
Age: 27
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 175
Hair: Pretty much bald; oh well.
Shoe Size: 12
Interests: Koro Ken Karate, WW1, Computer Games on occasion, Space Exploration and the technology,

Musical Interests: Alot of different stuff. From Classical (Beethoven mostly, a little Modest Mugorsky, Chaikovsky, and I like Vivaldi but I think that Mozart was just too fruity) to Grunge Rock. Can't really stand country. And I like Enya too Mike. She's pretty cool. I own all of her albums.

[Billy_Bishop]

Ok, I decided against it, since I reviewed it and found it lacking (on purpose)

I'm 42, the father of a 17 month old boy.
I was in Armour in the Army from 74' to '78.
I was in law enforcement for 15 years, 10 of which I also worked as a PI. I left law enforcement completely, after 3 gun fights and 2 OTJ injuries.
Now I fix computers and do other computer related stuff for Underwriters Laboratories.

I first got interested in military history early in life. My father was in the field artillery in WWII, serving in Patton's 3rd Army. (752nd FA battalion attached to AHQ). He, as well as the KIA infantry uncle I was named after, and two other uncles who served in the USAAF are what got me started.

Billy Bishop's "Winged Warfare" is what piqued my interest in WWI aviation.

My other hobbies are writing web pages , redesigning role-play-games, playing/working in Air Warrior 3D on AOL, baseball (Cincinnati Reds fan for 35 years), living through Chicago winters, tennis when I can find a player who's not a pro, but not a total geek either, and learning baby talk from my 17month old boy.

Later y'all,

Al Lowe

Hi,
My name is John Lewis, I am 40, 5'8" 254 lbs a former USABF Boxer working as a Computer Engineer in a Steel Mill in Alabama. I have loved history, military avation and flying since Jr.High. I was a member of the Civil Air Partol and got to fly with them fairly often. I play chess in nationally rated tournaments and enjoy the strategy and tactics of combat. I also love the theatre and am a competent narrator. My undergrad degree was in Philosophy so I think too much. What I spend a lot of time researching and thinking about is the ripple effect of WW1. I believe we are still in its wake today. And one more thing - I run a WW1 Squadron on SimGuilds Flying Circus (Interactive Internet Simulation) That has taught me more about WW1 flying than any 10 books I have ever read. Here is the Squadron URL

http://www.concentric.net/~C-cat/Vock/index.htm

-Thanks everyone for the ideas and help you have given me over the last several months!
-john

[Chris_Tydlacka]

Thank you for the replys. My full name is Christopher C. Tydlacka I'm 19 years old 5 feet 10 in.130 Lbs. I'm currently working on a degree in computer science I've always been interested in WW1 fighter pilots especialy A.Ball and Georges Guynmer. I plan on gettting my Pilots license soon

Jeni don't give up there is always a way aroud regulations. A recruiter for the marines called me about 2 weeks ago. I told him I wasn't interested and that I was near sighted any how and that I would only join tha Airforce. He said Small things like height weight and vision can be over looked.

[mike_baram]

Vickers,
I feel that Mozart is too technically perfect, which is why I like to listen to him, but I don't get the emotional tornado I get from Ludwig.
Chris,
If the Marines are willing to overlook height, weight, and eyesight, would they overlook my 54 years and enlarged prostate too? Sounds like a great, challenging way to spend the second half of my life. Don't you agree?
Semper fatigatus.
Mike

[Rittm]

Chris,
This was a neat idea, and I have enjoyed reading about all the "forumites" as Barrett puts it.

A little bit of advice be very wary of what recruiters say. They will say anything to get you to join. The fellow who was Lothar still gets calls to join the military even after he told them that he was going to join the British forces and help them take back the American colonies. He hasn't tried telling that he was gay yet, but I doubt that would stop them from bothering. I really thought him saying that he was going to join a foreign service would have freaked them out.

Rittm

To beat Jim the "ACE" I can say i have shot down 984 aircraft on red baron the game.Beat that Jim!

Here goes: 27 years old as of today.
private pilot, instrument rated, working on commercial.
currently working as a security guard at Tulsa international airport.
5'8" brown hair, green eyes, divorced, no kids-- except my dachund!!!