About Me: Who am I Really?
Deej
(First, let me apologize for GeoCities' pop-up advertising screens with these
pages. They are basically the cost of receiving a free location for this web-site:
think of them as being sort of like the commercials you see on TV every day.)
= = =
This site was named "A Land of Contrasts" because that term fits me,
my life both external and
internal, my friends locally and around the world, my interests, loves and needs.
I actually did live on a two-acre plot just outside of Battle Creek Michigan, until my recent divorce. Generally
known as "The Cereal Capitol of the World," Battle Creek is roughly
halfway between Detroit and Chicago on Interstate I-94. They have a population
of about 65,000, several excellent schools, a Symphony Orchestra, Community
Chorus, world-renowned Boychoir, and nationally-recognized Girls' Chorus. Kellogg's
maintains its world headquarters here, but Post Cereals also manufactures its Grape-Nuts
and Post Toasties (corn flakes) there along with many other cereal products.
As if that weren't enough, Ralston-Purina also makes cereals there,
mostly private-label store-brand lines. Archway Cookies has its world headquarters
there. Battle Creek hosts the Battle Creek VA Medical Center on the outskirts of
town, and several DoD agencies are housed in the Federal Center, formerly the
Percy Jones Army Hospital, and before that the John Harvey Kellogg "Sanitarium"
as represented in the book & movie "The Road to Wellville."
Battle Creek's Federal Center
These are the roads I travel - the music, the memories,
and being fortunate enough to give audiences both large and small some pleasure
by my small part in my performances. But there's more to me as well...
My name is Dave, but I use the nickname "Deej," sort of how you'd pronounced my first two initials. I am a Vietnam-Era veteran of the U.S. Army Security Agency Field Station Berlin, Germany who served during the years that the Wall was an everyday part of our lives. After my military service I earned a Master's Degree at Michigan State University by using the G.I. Bill. I spent my first career helping our nation's disabled veterans as a field-based Benefits Counselor employed by the VA Regional Office Detroit. On taking an "early out" retirement from the VA, I joined the A.A.R.P. For those who qualify, AARP offers some really good deals: I've saved many times the small annual dues in reduced hotel bills alone.
Now I am a Case Manager in the field of Senior Services near my new home in Florida.
I'm a lover of quality wines, both inexpensive and dear.
For some years,I have been a member of American
Mensa, though sometimes I feel more like I
should be in Densa, instead.
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I love computers and surfing the Net, was Sysop of my own BBS (Bulletin Board System) for over 10 years, and am still an active participant on several systems, including ONF.Com, formerly known as OneNetFalmouth but which now has become "OurMaine.Com," a very friendly place which welcomes callers from around the world.
I am an avid reader, and during several years "on the road" for the
VA I supplemented my reading by listening to books-on-tape which I would borrow
from the public library. Among my favorite authors are Sir Arthur C.
Clarke (I've recently re-read my entire collection of his works), Isaac Asimov, Tom Clancy and Anne Rice but I read a wide and contrasting
panoply of other authors and subjects as well. I love space-related programs
and things astronomical. Another major joy is listening to or performing Classical Music.
In fact, the above photo in the tux was taken as I was leaving to sing
a formal concert.
If that's not enough information about me for you, click here.
As you might expect, I have a highly-contrasting variety of friends living both
far and near who have their own Websites.
Here in no particular order are some of their neat links to explore:
Home
Page maintained by deej -
Website established in October 1998
Last update of this page April 1, 2001
