Let’s see… 1,000 posts. Never thought this day would come. I avoided the board for years since it seemed to slam conservatives. But I guess I’ve gotten used to that and know that’s nothing new in life. I’ll get to some of that later in here most likely.
So… how did I get going in OSC? Well, I think I was 15. It was right after I started reading longer novels in HS when my freshman English teacher made us read at least 5 books. Guess it was 87. I had seen my parents reading Stephen R. Donaldson’s Chronicles of Thomas Covenant so I thought I’d give them a try. I think they were nervous I was getting over my head and for Christmas that year Dad got me Ender’s Game and Speaker for the Dead after the local bookstore guy told him how good they were. At first I was like what the heck? You get me a book you’ve never read and don’t know if it’s any good? Not that I said this, but I guess the guy at the store had pointed out how it was the first time someone had won back to back Hugo and Nebula awards. I eventually gave them a try and was instantly hooked of course! Wow…. I’m getting close to being a 2 decade OSCer. My collection is pretty extensive. I’ve got a huge bookshelf filled with various editions and magazine appearances. It’s almost to the point where I need a bigger case.
When I first started to read Card I was an atheist. I had been raised that way and dad was an atheist biology school teacher who loved to put down religion and is always studying all kinds of science issues and is very knowledgeable on most evolutionary issues. I kept reading Scott Card and some years later I did start going to church on no small part to the influence of Cards writing. Most of his characters were always so moral. Plus I knew the Earth series was a sci-fi futuristic version of the book of Mormon. I knew Scott was Mormon and figured if I looked into it that would clarify his thinking. I always sort of considered Card part of my conservative background. I think I started being conservative when growing up playing with G.I. Joe’s and dad had some vote on C-Span where they were voting on support money for troops. It was being defeated by the Democrat majority and all the Republicans were voting for it. I asked dad why they weren’t voting for it and my Democrat father said that Republicans support the military more while Democrats tend to like to spend less on the military. So were the beginnings of my humble Republican roots. I met my best friend Brandon in 7th grade and he always tried to get me to go to church things with him. Because of me, he started studying creation verses evolution and then started pointing out issues and flaws with evolution. He would debate me and show me interesting facts. For nine years I resisted hearing the truth but finally stopped fighting against what I knew in my heart was true. I realized that everything is too perfect to be chance. After that it was just a matter of accepting that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, asking Him to forgive me, and accepting His free gift of Eternal Life. Now I am a faithful member at my church and even run the sound room.
Last year was pretty rough. Family relations became zero when my father refused to even acknowledge me when I ran for public office as a Republican, claiming he had to be impartial since he’s the chair of the county Democrat executive committee. Even though when he ran a number of years ago I helped him in every way possible despite being a conservative. But when it was my turn the tone was totally different. Once, right in front of me, he gave words of support to a Democrat candidate. I felt my heart skip a beat then. They’ve told me to stay away and don’t want anything to do with me. Oh well. And it seemed to spread throughout the family. Last year around Thanksgiving my sister broke into my house. Had to have her arrested and everything. Very strange family relations. Grew up with the normal nuclear family with one brother and one sister. Always had pets while growing up too. I currently have a husky named KC and a cat named Hannah.
So enough of that. What do I do with my life? I’ve got my degree in computer engineering from West Virginia University (WVU). Took me a while. I switched majors numerous times and what not. I majored in Crime and Justice for a while. Always wanted to be an FBI agent. Took the final phase 2 test for the 2nd time last year, but didn’t get by. They don’t tell you what you didn’t pass, but I imagine my skills on the writing portion of the test were to blame. Go figure. Did nursing for a while too, but decided that really wasn’t for me even thought the medical field has been such a big part of my life. Settled on computer engineering after a few friends in my college church group got me into computers. Still go to WVU basketball and football games. And like to follow WVU alumni in the NFL. Jay Taylor the kicker for Tampa Bay being my favorite of course! Since I was an EMT, from where I had worked as a volunteer with the local EMS in high school, I was able to get a job at WVU Hospitals while I was in college as a Clinical Associate. Basically I was a glorified nurse’s assistant who did blood draws. I was also in the Army reserve at the time. Did my 6 and got out.
I’m currently working on a NASA project for JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) which will replace Hubble. No big goals I’m striving for right now. Just living live and enjoying. Did have an interview with the local FBI CJIS center for an IT specialist job. Would really like to get that since I have so many friends working there and I think it would be a good position with lots of potential.
I run a lot. Did the Marine Corp Marathon last October in DC and did the Tampa Bay Half Marathon in February. Getting ready for running season to start up here. We’ve got a 15 race series that starts in March and runs till December. I also am the webmaster for our local Hash House Harrier group. It’s a hares and hounds chase game that is a lot of fun and I’ve made a number of friends though. They have chapters all around the world and some are pretty wild. The usual theme is a “drinking club with a running problem.” Ours is a little more laid back though. Especially since the webmaster isn’t much of a drinker. Once in a blue moon really if that.
So anyway. That’s me in a nutshell. Guess I shouldn’t make this too long.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Thanks for sharing a bit more about yourself, Jay. I enjoyed reading it. I'm sorry to hear about your family, though, and hope that they come to their senses soon. Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Jay, I'm glad you wrote a Landmark thread. It's good to get to know you better. Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
I'm glad you're here.
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
That sucks about your family. I know how tough the FBI can be. My brother is at Quantico now, and he's having trouble with the physical fitness part. I hope you can get in. It sounds like you'd really love it. And on your involvement with NASA. That sounds awesome.
Thanks for sharing. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Good Landmark, Jay!
Farmgirl
Posted by Jonathan Howard (Member # 6934) on :
Cool! I really loved it!
I'll probably have mine up this evening, so check it out.
I'm using yours as a little template, or a frame of what to include. I just want to state in advance that if I ever say something that offends one or if my post seems a little harsh or offensive - I do not mean it to be so.
JH
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Thanks.
Yeah, my family. Who knows. Might be interesting this summer if there is a family reunion. There’s also a 25th wedding anniversary party coming up for an uncle too. If only that girl wouldn’t have dumped when I could have had someone to share the joy of the family functions with!
Posted by adam613 (Member # 5522) on :
Very nice landmark. Always good to know more about the background of my fellow posters
The family thing sucks. I was recently talking to a friend of mine who had a similar situation; he ran for state senate as a Democrat, and his family was very displeased. I never understood why people let crap like that get in the way of family relations.
Sounds like you've done a lot of diverse things. I don't know anyone else who has been both a nurse and a computer engineer. Good luck with the FBI; that sounds like a cool job!
[ March 28, 2005, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: adam613 ]
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Very good Landmark, Jay. In my eyes the problem was never that you were a conservative, it was your assumptions of others that bothered me. I am glad that you stuck around and learned a little bit more about Hatrack, and have told us a little bit more about yourself.
I was an EMT in the service too, and seriously considered going into nursing as well.
The running stuff though, that is just sick. I can deal with the fact that your political views are a little different than mine, but being a person who enjoys running makes you too weird, plain and simple....
Kwea
[ March 28, 2005, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
Great Landmark, Jay. It is nice to learn a bit more about you. And that thing with your dad, I'm sorry. My dad and grandpa have always been arguing about politics, so they don't have a very good relationship. So I hope things get better for you.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Nice hearing about your background Jay. I've been wondering what kind of history it took to create the interesting, forthright person that you are. =)
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Thanks! Yeah, I do feel like I’ve had a pretty well rounded life experience. Now if I could just come up with that Bill Gates innovation to become a trillionaire. (Just kidding, even though that would be nice!) I run so I can eat! Else I’d weigh 400 pounds and I have a hard enough time getting dates. Maybe once I get down to the six-pack abs that’ll be easier! Races can be fun. And hash runs are neat too. I didn’t like it at first, but it got easier really quick and is fun now, especially with all the buddies I’ve made though it.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Thanks for sharing that with us Jay.
Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :
It's good to meet a fellow engineer.
I assume as a computer engineer working on the JWST that you're working on embedded control systems. Are you specialized in one particular area of the telescope, such as the focusing mechanism, or guidance, or solar power, or ...well you know, specialized? Or do you get to dabble in all the systems?
Please keep us posted about that cool NASA stuff.
Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
Thanks for sharing, Jay. It helps to know a bit more about where you are coming from.
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Well, as much as I’d love to be on the development team for JWST. I’m on the IV&V team. That’s Independent Verification and Validation. In a nutshell we check spacecraft software. We’ve been looking at the whole system, but it looks like my concentration will be in the ground systems. Things are really early on. Cool stuff at NASA huh? Well, I’ll see if I can find one of the weekly updates about all the various on going projects. That might be cool enough.
Also, while I’m adding something else here I’ll post this fun tidbit. So here I am at the Cooper’s Rock 10K last week. Sort of colder up at Cooper’s since it’s higher up then other areas in West Virginia and I kind of forgot about this and wouldn’t have been wearing shorts if I would have thought about it a little. Also, notice my brace from where I had sprained my ankle the night before while playing basketball. Had to do the race it was in the series!! Cooper's Rock 10K No laughing too much. And yes ladies I am available.
Posted by skillery (Member # 6209) on :
Looks cold. Hope you found a hot tub at the end of your run.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
quote: No laughing too much.
Define too much....
I remember doing that sort of crap in the Army, with snow flying all around us, and ice on the ground. 3 cheers for Ft Lost-in-the-Woods!
[ March 29, 2005, 01:42 AM: Message edited by: Kwea ]
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Not there would be a good theme for a post race. The Hot Tub. Not sure I’d want to be getting in there though after so many other sweaty people though…. Icky…. Most post races try and entice ya with meals or cookies. We had soup at this one. See, I’m not the only runner who likes to eat!
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Thanks for sharing a bit more about yourself, Jay. I enjoyed reading it. I'm sorry to hear about your family, though, and hope that they come to their senses soon. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Wave]](graemlins/wave.gif)
![[Hail]](graemlins/hail.gif)
on your involvement with NASA. That sounds awesome.![[Hat]](graemlins/hat.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)