Me, Myself

Three generations of my family lived in Brooklyn, NY. In 1976, to escape the crime and big city my Dad took a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville. In 1982 I was born. Knoxville was on the rise and hosted the World's Fair. Countries from around the world set up pavilions and shared their culture and science. The theme was energy.

I was an extraordinarily shy child and only felt comfortable watching cartoons. At the age of three, I would hide behind my sister. When asked by a neighbor how old I was, I peered over my sister's shoulder and answered that I was "free years old." I also often asked my parents to hold my "hingers."

In the first grade I was placed in the "shy club." In class each of us would be called out and ushered into another room. They figured shy kids should be together. We sat and colored in silence.

At the age of seven, I left the country for the first time. we traveled to Venezuela. Mangoes were a penny a piece due in part to the fat that you could pick them off the trees yourself. A maid would make breakfast for us each morning. Arepas were a favorite. Yese a native girl we staye with showed me porn for the first time. She could also sing the theme to Heathcliff in Spanish.

For most of my childhood I only had one friend at a time. Chris who lived in a trailer dropped out of high school, Chris who became a minister, and the other Kris who became a professional frisbee golf player.

At the age of nine, I left the country again going to Costa Rica. It would be six more years until I would travel outside the country again, going to Italy. Italy was and still is my favorite country. It was the food, the people, and the way of life.

At the age of 16, I joined the Jewish B'nai Brith Youth Organization. This led to many friends, more confidence, and a more outgoing sense of being.

When I graduated high school, I didn't want to go to college. I was anti college. I used my time to visit friends. Ben in upstate New York. Matt and Ben in Bloomington, Indiana and Mitch in Boulder, Colorado.

Then my sister and I were given a free trip to Israel with the Birthright organization. It aims to inspire you to make aliyah and live there in an effort to grow the Jewish population.

At 21, I started college at the University of Tennessee majoring in psychology. My family had since moved to Baltimore, leaving me alone in Knoxville. After a few semesters I dropped out and moved north first attending Harford Community College.

My sister dreamed of moving to the city. I said "Hell no, Have you watched the evening news." She persevered and we bought a condo in the Belvedere, a 100 year old hotel with 3 bars, 2 restaurants, and 2 night clubs.

The next 3 years I worked odd jobs until deciding to go into business for myself. I bought an ice cream cart in Pennsylvania. After failing city regulations for selling ice cream, I decided on coffee and French pastries. I established good relationships with Zeke's Coffee and Patisserie Poupon.

My cart was set up outside Penn Station in the early to late morning. The experience was incredible. I met great people, had loyal customers, and was going to be the center of a story for the City Paper. However it was hard work and I could only manage to break even.

After awhile I let the business go. I returned to the world of work without a degree. I landed a nice job as a valet driver, which with tips could pay up to $60,000 a year. Unfortunately I am not a good driver and after 4 or 5 accidents they let me go.

I returned to HCC and found my calling, social work, which I am now pursuing a degree for at UMBC.

At the age of 26, I have now traveled to over 20 countries, I love college, and I don't think I could have appreciated it as well at the age of 18.


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I collect coin operated machines. I own a pinball machine, gumball machine, slot machine, 2 arcades, a parking meter, and a pay phone.

I'm in love with my car a bright red Datsun 280zx that I refurbished. It runs beautifully, but I prefer to just look at it.

I am an agnostic. I don't believe I know enough to rule out the possibility of a god which I strongly believe is a fabrication.

I do however have a fascination with Buddhism and am intrigued with reincarnation. Energy and matter are neither created or destroyed according to the laws of conservation of energy and matter.

Eventually, I would like to create a family business for my future children. I'd like to have a storefront and an apartment above.