Born: May 1969 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Started hanging around the ex-Rock Island, CNW "North Yard" and CNW Beverly Yard in 1988. Worked as a stagehand, paramedic, EMS instructor, ran a paramedic training program, hauled goods for an auction house, installed office furniture, delivered home healthcare stuff; and was a photographer/reporter for a newspaper. I have been  a reporter/photographer for a pair of weekly newspapers in North Liberty and Solon, Iowa since November of 2008.