I grew up in a few different areas, all in southeast Virginia. I was born and raised in Norfolk, the son of a military father and a tax-preparer mother. We later moved to a nice middle-class neighb...view moreI grew up in a few different areas, all in southeast Virginia. I was born and raised in Norfolk, the son of a military father and a tax-preparer mother. We later moved to a nice middle-class neighborhood in another smaller town with mostly friendly people and a nice, quiet atmosphere. I have one brother and one sister, both younger than myself.I skipped two grades in middle school, after repeatedly testing far above average on assessment tests administered by both the elementary school I had gone to and the middle school I was attending at the time. My mentor and good friend Talmadge Darden took time out to make sure I was doing well, and to drive me to the high school for afternoon classes.After I graduated high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where I served for only a year before being discharged, honorably, for medical reasons. I had begun training as a cryptologic linguist at the Defense Language Institute's Foreign Language Center, in Monterey, California, where I studied Hebrew.I've held a number of jobs and lived a number of different places. I've been a cashier, a food server, a factory worker, a casino dealer, and a salesman, among other things. I've lived in Virginia, Arkansas, California, Utah, Nevada, and even Texas. These different jobs and environments have given me a lot of experience in life and a number of different perspectives on the world. I've only been out of the country once, though. I visited Amsterdam, in Holland, in 2006. I had a great time, there were beautiful buildings everywhere, and the people were very hospitable and friendly. I hope to go back someday.My hobbies include writing, gaming, enjoying good television shows, and reading good writing. I have made many friends and met many interesting people during my journey through life. I hope to meet many more people that I can call my friends, and I hope to share my writing and visions with the world.view less