My Life Story

Throughout this blog, I have discussed several people - describing them in the way that I know them - professionally. I will attempt to reach out to everyone by shedding some light on both my professional and personal sides...bear with me...I tell you my life story because it nearly came to an end this weekend, and you'll find out why at the end of this post.

I was born at a young age to a woman...she turned out to be my mother. My dad was also there, too. He now looks like my Granddad, but it's OK. I arrived on Earth in a tiny town called Alexander City, which is famous for two things - Russell Athletic Apparel and me. I was educated at the finest public school in my town, though it was the only public school in town. My "homecounty" (the towns in my county were not incorporated, so we went by our county) was named Coosa, named after the mighty Coosa River. I joined the 4-H club at my own free-will - my mother was the County Extension Director and 4-H Agent. I did all of the environmental science judging teams (WHEP, Forestry)...and did pretty well at them. I went to summer camp at the Alabama 4-H Center. I liked 4-H.

My homecounty was so small, and I won't bore you with the cliche "we only had one stoplight in the whole county", but I just did...and Coosa County was so small our elected officials were elected through a very scientific method - "rock, paper, scissor." Tyrrell County is smaller, though - and that's why I like it.

I went to Central Coosa County High School - the moniker could lead you to think that we also had North, East, South, and West high schools, but we didn't. Only one high school in the county - and it housed only 300 students. I miss it - those days were easy...bosses are tougher than teachers.

After high school I attended Auburn University, the land-grant institution in Alabama. I was a good student...Both of my sisters (both younger), fretted over making "C's" on report cards...I celebrated them, with my parents...those were the good ole' days. While at Auburn, I made money by working as an equipment manager for Auburn's mighty football team. It was fun being around all of the football players...I made great friends and memories from this...I also have some terrible memories that include dirty laundry.

During my summers at Auburn, I worked at Camp ASCCA (America's Special Camp for Children and Adults). Before my time there, I had never experienced life at its most fulfilling.

After I graduated (not "cum laude", but "thank the laude") I came to the Eastern 4-H Center as the Program Director...I was so nervous...my first "big boy" job. Adjusting to life in Tyrrell County was easy...I was pleased to see a Food Lion so close. Living in a place that harbors more bears than humans has its downsides, though.

I also have a girlfriend. Hard to believe, but true - and even though she is short, she is still nice. Her name is Callie. We have a daughter together - she's a miniature schnauzer named Olivia.
This past weekend was spent with Callie in her village of Sanford, North Carolina. We (she) were celebrating everyone's favorite Hallmark Holiday, St. Valentine's Day - and then it happened. I nearly "met my maker" - "gave up the ghost", so to speak. Callie gave me a nice gift and some chocolate. I gave her a grill...a barbecue grill.

Callie's attack was swift and vicious. There was nowhere to hide...Callie's height deficiency allows her to run under beds and counters without ducking and crawling...there was no escaping this lady. I decoyed her with the chocolates she had given me - great success! I later apologized, taught her how to grill, and ate the delicious meal she prepared for dinner that night. We also had fondue, which is an Italian word for cholesterol (maybe)...the best way to eat 7 apples is by dipping each one in chocolate...I tried it and it was good.

Well, there you have it...my life story. I made it back to Columbia in one piece, too!