Its in the details...

Found out details of what some of the things we are to blog about the other day, and FINALLY have a few extra minutes to write down my thoughts...

My family is an older Anglo-American family. I am able to trace my father's family to as early as 1610, as this is a published family tree. My Great- Great- Great-Grandfather Gardiner Fowles is listed as a decedent of one George Fowle (ISBN: 0880820284 ). My oldest son Benjamin Gardner is named in his honor. Gentlemen farmers by trade, they included local school teachers, local politicians, shop keepers, salesmen, Congressmen, Patriots, and a United States President.

My mother's family is Polish-Germanic coming to the United States during the 1880's. It has only been the past two generations that Polish was not spoken or heard in the home. Coal miners, farmers, and laborers were what they were before they left Poland, and that is what they became after coming to America. Today my Grandmother is a retired Registered Nurse, and my Grandfather is a Professor Emeritus from University of California, Davis with Ph.D. in Botany.

My father is Protestant. My mother is Roman Catholic. I was raised Catholic, but have since stopped following the Catholic faith. I am what could be described as a recovering Catholic. This does not mean that I do not have a belief in a all mighty god. Far from it. I am simply unable to understand why a all mighty god is interested in me and my everyday life and how I treat others. I do believe that there are consequences for every action. Even if those consequences are unknown.

Education growing up was important. Reading for pleasure and for additional knowledge was encouraged as soon as we were able to comprehend what was written on the page. Consequently my reading comprehension was off the chart before middle school, and I was able to discuss advanced course work with my teachers throughout high school.

I was raised in Northern Nevada, first in the Stead area, later in Carson City. Carson City only has one high school for a population of 55,000. Also remember that Carson City is 168 square miles. San Bernardino is only 60 square miles. Lots of only space growing up, much of it state owned.

And on the second day he said...

Oh Dr. Tapie Rohm how I dislike you as of this moment.

Writing especially free form expression writing is not my strong suite. Never has been, and I'm the type of person who plays to ones strengths.

That being said, one of my bright idea's this year (2011) was to push myself out of my comfort zone and hone the skills that need an edge. I gathered this would qualify...

As we did not discuss the specifics of what I am to actually blog about I will just share some background information for today.

I am of Junior standing here at CSUSB and really need to change my major from BA - Business Administration - Undeclared to the IASM major. Maybe I'll get around to filing the paperwork this week.

At the tender age of 29 I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in the lower back. Facing the possibility of not being able to walk in a decade, I promptly lost 85 pounds over six months. I have at least 30 more to go, with 41 more pounds my ultimate goal by June of 2012.

I am married to a wonderfully patient wife who I adore. I say patiently because I told her in 2003 that I was "almost done" with college...

She has given me three wonderful boys’ ages 6 years to 7 months. She would like me to return the favor and give her a girl...

I have been averaging 14 - 16 units for the past two years and in that time completed two Associate Art degrees (yes I've been in school that long), on about 4 hours of sleep a night. The bags under my eyes seem to be permanent.

I enjoy looking at data and deriving useful (and not so useful) information. It seems to be something I am good at, but I swear it may just be blind luck.