Thanks for visiting my web page. Here you'll find information on various topics that interest me. I hope to be able to share my interests with others and hopefully provoke some thought.
Since this site is dedicated to me and my interests, probably the best place to start is a little bit of information about me. I was born in 1970 in the small, South Alabama town of Opp. Other than being my birthplace, Opp is best known for it's annual Rattlesnake Rodeo. My family moved around some as I grew up. I graduated highschool in Atmore, AL. at Escambia Country High School. There I got my first real exposure to computers. Finally, my family settled in the small Central Alabama community of Weoka. I spent my first year and a quarter of college at Livingston University, now called the University of West Alabama, as a music major. Later, for various reasons I came back home and went to Auburn University at Montgomery majoring in MIS.
Everything changed in 2002 when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. My particular instance of MS started out very aggressive and I went downhill rather rapidly while the doctors were trying to figure out what on Earth was wrong with me. I'll never forget what my GP (general practitioner) told me after my first MRI. "I have good news and bad news. The good news is, you don't have a brain tumor. The bad news is you've probably got MS." He set me up with a referral to see a neurologist. After another MRI, spinal tap, and an evoked potential test, the diagnosis was confirmed and I began treatment. The treatment slowed the MS down significantly, but not nearly as much as it does for most other people. It slowed down to a flare-up every 3 months isntead of every 3 or 4 weeks. That continued for a while and we tried other treatments that were either no better or actually worse. Then, after going back on the original treatment, lots of prayer by friends and family, and the grace of God, I began a good long remission that has lasted for approximately two years as of 10-23-2007. I'm not sure of the date of my last flare-up because I lost the blog entries for that period of time due to a screw-up on the part of my web hosting service.
Shortly after being diagnosed with MS, some friends talked me into getting my amateur radio license. I haven't looked back. I really enjoy amateur radio. I've been able to mix my hobby with my profession, computer programmer, which has really enhanced my enjoyment of the hobby. I've since advanced all the way to Amateur Extra, the highest class license available in the U.S. I'm also a member of the Montgomery, ARRL and CAVEC VE teams.
Anyway, don't forget to sign my guestbook and thanks again for visiting.
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73,
Bryan