heh This thread is really quite nice. Pretty interesting backgrounds here. I have to wonder, Zack... why is it you have a gestapo marching as your avatar? Also, not sure how Jewish you are, but I've enjoyed learning/singing Hebrew songs/prayers.
Anyways, my name is (fitting) Ryan Daniel Szrama. I was born February 15, 1983 in Wichita, KS and am the middle of three boys. I moved all over the place due to the military, bouncing from Wichita -> England -> Key West, FL -> Pensacola, FL -> Philadelphia, PA -> Pensacola -> Plano, TX -> Pensacola -> Louisville, KY where I am now. I love it here in Louisville for no particular reason other than I've finally been able to stay put. I graduated from high school and then college here with a Bachelor's in Biblical Studies, and now I'm taking on-line courses through my state's "virtual university" to perhaps grab a degree in programming. It will make it tons easier to get paid well (Biblical Studies doesn't exactly fetch a high salary, though I am extremely grateful for the time I had to study the Bible, learn the languages, learn the history, and more).
I used to make blinds at night, but I quit that job two nights ago and held onto my day job working full time doing web development/on-line sales for a local refrigeration company. We sell restaurant equipment (and quite often beer dispensers to people who want to impress their friends at home!) and a few other things. It's weird, but it's a living. And my boss is paying me to learn PHP/MySQL in developing an eCommerce site through Drupal.
The earliest programming I remember doing is in third grade or so, on my Commodore 64/128. My dad has always been a techie, doing it for the Air Force before retiring and working for Intel where he is now. Naturally, my old brother and I had an affinity for computers and managed to crank out an entertaining little jet fighting game on our Commodore. Figuring out the SPRDEF was a pain I remember, but we were young and there was no Google to search. ^_^ From there I moved to GWBASIC, then QBASIC, eventually to QB/PDS, and now FB. I really enjoy the challenge of programming, but I rarely finish things. It's fun to hang around and see what everyone else comes up with, though, and occasionally I beat something one of you make and really enjoy it! (Dark Woods 2 being one of my fav., which I also made the map editor for.
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So.. besides the job and programming, I'm also dating a girl I met through church here in Louisville named Athena. She's wonderful, but relationships are hard work and relating can be even harder. :roll: But plenty of patience, communication, and forgiveness help out. I also enjoy working with children, especially underpriveleged/neglected kids. I worked for the YMCA for a couple years and recently moved into the inner city where I hang out with the children/play football in the park/school them in video games/do whatever I can. I moved into the inner city
here close to my church which is caddy corner across the park, where I also do children's ministry. For the last several months I've been helping a pastor friend of mine in Corydon, IN (about 30 minutes west) as a children's inter on Wednesday nights. Mostly, kids just love having adults be interested in their lives, so that's what I try to do! Jesus said whoever receives a child receives him, so I worked to minister to children as I would Jesus or anyone else.
Soo... this life history is a lot more than the thread called for, but maybe someone read it and enjoyed knowing a little more about me. I believe it was Seph who was wondering who I was a while back, anyways. :lol: (Or rather, heckling me along with z1re..)
heh, and following suit w/ everyone else, I don't smoke or drink because I like my body too much. :wink:
I also love playing ultimate frisbee. And playing guitar.
Anyone is welcome to come stay at my place if they're in Louisville. Follow the map in the link above. 8)