This blog serves two purposes of nearly equal importance to me.

The first is that while I would like to pursue a career as a writer, it is difficult to do without a portfolio of some sort and even more so if you weren’t an English or Journalism major. Hence my goal is to show that I am capable of writing effectively and competently, despite the fact I do not worship at the altar of Strunk and White or the University of Chicago Stylebook.

However, writing has been something I’ve enjoyed since I was a child. My first column came in elementary school, and I had regular features in high school as well as college. Having a place to express myself is about as cathartic as it is fun, whether I am talking about politics, sports, food, a random daily event, or even branching into my creative or humorous sides. Having people read and hopefully enjoy it is even better, so I hope you make this at least a semi-frequent stop.

So who am I? I am a male just entering my fourth decade on this planet. I was born and raised in an urban area, was fortunate and unfortunate enough to get scholarships to a private high school and college and, at least for the time being, once again live in the same place I grew up. My upbringing itself was somewhat peculiar in retrospect, as it varied between an expected unquestioning acceptance of authority (especially religious) and being encouraged to think for myself. I bet you’ll soon guess which of the two finally won out, if you haven’t already.

By the way, the Thomas Paine quote does not refer to how I see myself or my blog, but rather this blog’s (and my own) philosophy. The truth doesn’t need fear or hype to bolster its case or resort to ad hominem attacks if you dare to question it. It is precisely the things that insult your intelligence or boast of their infallibility that deserve scrutiny.

Thanks again for reading.