Hello All,

I am Wonko and this is my first thread.

I have little spare time in my life but I've really enjoyed reading the forums over the past year or so. There are so many excellent, highly knowledgeable writers here and it is always apprecie' to have my thoughts provoked.

I had a traditional Southern Baptist upbringing... three times a week, vacation bible school, etc and didn't start to question things until about the age of eight or nine.

By the time I was fourteen, the entire religious scope was in my rear view mirror and I've never really looked back. I did well in high school and college but decided against the Ph.D. pursuit and ended up in radio broadcasting. I was a morning jock and program director for a midwest U.S. radio station for about 5 years but there was just no money in it and worse than that I was becoming increasingly disatisfied with so many things in the industry. No further chapter and verse.

I decided to test out for a Firefighter position that was opening up and after all the written,  physical agility, oral interview and lie detector exams, I ended up at the top of the list out of 307 candidates.  It's where I've been now for @16 years.

Far as relationships...I am hetero but not woman 'crazy'. Guess I mean I don't have to constantly have a significant other in my life. Been married a couple times, the last was to a Christian (details of which I posted on another RRS thread so I won't repeat it here). Not seeing anyone at the moment.

Some things to know about me... I am a lazy in my typing so there will be plenty of times when I will typo, misplace quote marks, use improper phrasing and or English, etc. and I may occasionally drop a regional expression or midwestern slang by accident. Heehehe

Also, I am moderately familiar with many science terms and have basic understanding of philosophy, quantum mechanics, atomic theory, gravitational laws and the like (even tho I was dreadful in some math, like Calculus)

Much of my learning comes from a love of science and books, as well as my schooling but also from the fact that when I was little my father was a University professor in both Organic Chemistry and some other class called Molecular ____somethingoranother  Can't recall the name at the moment. Anyway I often got to sit in during the lectures, so long as I could keep quiet.  Learnt by osmosis!

I have a female Cavalier pup named Galaxy...but for short I just call her (my) Gal. I have a great love for animals and  will defend ice hockey to be the greatest sport in the history of the planet.  OK well couldn't find a puck smiley so

I also have a strong love for many types of music and admit to a somewhat fanatical admiration for Pat Metheny.

And yes,I am an Atheist, strong in some areas, not so much in others.

It's a cool website and great forums. I am in the need to know.

BTW, google wonko the magic elf, to get the whole lowdown. I love that short story!