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Phyllis...just one more Wikignome tweaking and polishing. I'm "of a certain age" and, with some physical disabilities, I have time on my hands. I work to keep the facts straight, the words and the grammar comprehensible, and for style of writing to pull it all together. I joined Wikipedia in Nov. 2004. At last count I've made over 5600 edits. Maybe not a whole lot but I do my part.
Various Interests
Photography: A hobby since 1966. Currently using a Canon EOS 70D and twoT2is. An older XSi has been retired. Main lenses are: EF-S 15-85mm, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L and EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. I'm mainly interested in photographing birds.
Birds: I love birds!
Facebook: Joined in 2009. Good place to connect with other photographers and to see their work; not to mention showcase my work.
Music: Mostly classic rock. From Laurie Anderson to Frank Zappa and all points in between. I began life listening to classical music; the four "Bs", Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Bartok. Mozart, of course. Stravinsky and Ravel, too. Then The Beatles came along. Hello, rock and roll and soul. No rap. No electronica "noodling". No noise! I listen to jazz these days. Not much else on the radio around here I like. WPFW and WBJC. (I miss the old 'HFS and WGTB)
- Listening to music: I grew up with hi-fi. Dad had a DIY setup back in the 50s. My current music system is a Yamaha R-7 receiver, Electro-Voice Interface A loudspeakers, Denon DCD-600 CD deck and a pair of Sennheiser HD-580 headphones. All Ebay prizes. I'm NOT an audiophile but I appreciate good equipment and good sound...on the cheap!
Aviation: Took my first flight in a DC-3 in 1955 when I was two. Fascinated by aviation ever since. All aspects. Civil, military and space. I'm a licensed aircraft mechanic. Long story from 30+ years ago. I've had some flight training. Not too far along there. Too expensive!!
Psychology: I went to college (Coe College -- Cedar Rapids, Iowa) for this? Actually, it helped me to learn a balanced POV and to keep my wits when life has its senseless periods. Worked on a psych ward for a while. I've done some counseling, too. I've also been on the receiving end which helped me to sort out some personal issues. When you know something about Psychological projection, you begin to understand the other person's true feelings.
Personal Philosophy: Balance and Harmony-Harmony and Balance. Next question! Generally try to be understanding without feeling I have to swallow everything. Liberal where it's good to be liberal and conservative where it's good to be... I have NO use for extreme, dogmatic and mindlessly uptight politics.
Places I've lived
- Fayetteville, Arkansas Where I was born. Dad taught chemistry at the University of Arkansas.
- Washington, DC Lived here since 1959. Dad was recruited by Philip Abelson, then director of the Carnegie Institution of Washington's Geophysical Laboratory.
- Chevy Chase, DC The specific neighborhood where I live.
- Kensington, California Lived here (1968-69) while Dad did consulting work for the University of California. That was an interesting year!
- Cedar Rapids, Iowa Coe College (1970-77)
- Takoma Park, Maryland Lived here for 13 years. Takoma Park became Takoma Punk so I moved out.
