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I was born in 1966, a twin son of Donald and Barbara.  I grew up in a little village in Upstate NY called St. Johnsville. It was not too bad of a life.  Dad left when we were about 4.  Mom did her best to raise good kids.  I think she did a great job.

I lived in St. Johnsville, until I was 16, then moved to Oppenheim, 5 miles north of St. Johnsville. I moved in with my Dad and Step Mom and graduated from the Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School  There were 34 students in our graduating class.

At age 22, I came out to my family.  At this time, I was living with her in Gloversville. (see St. Johnsville link above).  I finally decided that Gloversville had nothing to offer for me, and had been going out to the bars in Utica.  So where better then to find out who I really was, then somewhere I was feeling comfortable being.  At 23, I moved to Utica.  I moved in with a good friend and discovered life the way it should be lived. I lived there until I realized that the job market was not what I wanted.  As luck would have it, the friend who brought me out for the first time in Utica, was living in Orlando, and offered me a place to stay for a couple weeks while I got a job and apartment.

In October, 1992 I said goodbye to my friends and family, packed up and hopped on a bus to Orlando, FL.  Mickey, here I come.  I found a job on the 3rd day I was there, and in the 2 weeks I was given had my own apartment.  The rest of my personal items followed me later. Thanks Brother.   I was enjoying life even more in the big city.  Well big compared to Utica NY.  I didn't have a car for the 1st year, but managed.

In March 1993, my Dad passed away from a massive heart attack.  This is when I realized that heart disease ran in my family.  I decided it was time to take care of me.  3 weeks prior to his passing, he paid me an unexpected visit.  I am glad he did.  Dad and I did not get along well, but he and I had a wonderful visit, with him telling me he was proud of me and who I was, and all he wanted was for me to be happy.

In Mid 1993, I went out to visit the Full Moon Saloon.  I did not visit this bar much, because it intimidated me.  This visit was different.  The picnic area on the side had been replaced with a wood deck, and there was country music playing and people dancing.  Talk about a wake up call.   I hated country music growing up, but when I saw these men dancing together, I was memorized.  There was also line dancing.   I knew the electric slide, but had know idea there was more.  I was hooked. I went to my first lesson and was a natural.

In late 1993, I attended my first "hoedown" in Ft. Lauderdale FL.  What an event.  It was amazing.  So many people so much fun. I decided I would be attending these events more often.  (Click here for the list of events I have attended.)

While in Orlando, I met a many great people, and was also introduced to the "bear" community.  I never even considered myself a bear, or even knew what a bear was until I was called it.  While I did not join the Orlando Bears group, I did hang out with them when I could.  My focus was more on country dancing at this point.  I was a (said in your best Hans and Franz voice) Dancin' Girly Bear Man" as my evil twin sister James called me.

I joined the local country dance group Southern Country Orlando, and was on the dance team they had, and helped form the dance team Raw Pride, also a SoCo team.  I got involved with going to the conventions of the new International Association of Gay/Lesbian Country Western Dance Clubs.  I also was still meeting great people and making great friends. 

I was going to move to Atlanta in 1995 with a couple of friends moving there, however, that got side tracked. I stayed in Orlando until October 1997.  I moved to Austin TX. 

In Austin I continued dancing and became a dance instructor at the Rainbow Cattle Co. I then moved to Dallas in October 1999.  Dallas had so much more to offer in the dance arena.  I wanted to be in a city that had a bigger community, and I found it.   I again made new dance friends, and other friends as well.   

In July of 2000, I started working on a new dance group.  Texas Twisters was born.  I am very proud of this accomplishment.  Texas Twisters entered and won several local and national competitions.  It was a very exciting time in my life. 

In November 2001 I was out dancing at the Round Up.  The Dallas Rodeo was going on, and there were many people in town.  I met Richard Friday night of the rodeo at the Round Up.  Actually on the dance floor.  We hit it off and decided to date long distance. We both traveled back and forth from San Francisco to Dallas visiting each other about once every month.   On the weekend of our one year anniversary, we met in Austin to spend the weekend.  I moved to be with him in December of 2002.  It was a wonderful decision.  However this great story came turned sad when Richard decided he was not getting what he wanted out of life. We are no longer a couple but great friends.

I moved into the city in December of 2004, and have been enjoying it ever since.  I have an amazing roomate. See his website at http://www.boyshapedbox.com. 

I have a great job in the city. cmp.com.  Lead Support Specialist.  YAY, working in the city, YAY doing hands on support.  YAY, no more commute.

I keep very busy with SF Moviebears Bears. A successful social group I started in October of 2004!  My social life is pretty hectic. but a lot of fun for me.

Will write more later.