Belassis

   Lower left picture is of a cactus bloom, as I love to raise flowers, even though I live on a boat.  I have many Lilly's, and etc. to keep me busy.  The next picture is one of Elliott bay at night from Carkeep Park.  You can see the Space Needle in the middle of the picture.  Seattle is a excellent place for photographers with all of the water, mountains, our forests, and beaches.  The next picture is of Elliott bay looking east toward downtown Seattle.  The Space Needle is to the far left, and the King Dome is to the far right.  The lower right picture was taken at "The Gorge at George", which is a natural outdoor amphitheater.  It overlooks the Columbia river, and has been the home to many great concerts over the years.  This was the sun down just before the concert started.  It was a Celine Dion, and Michael Bolton concert, which I was treated to by my good friend "Miss D." for my birthday.  (July the 4th)
 

   These 2 pictures of Mount Rainier were taken by another good friend of mine ("Tom Mallard" a.k.a. "Kite Man"), and you can reach him at WWW.Mallard-design.com, for more information on his pictures, climbing Mount Rainier, or his kite making and other products.  Tom is also a very avid bicyclist, and another kite flyer like myself.  That was how I met him.  Tom and I have flown a lot together.  We have also gone to Long Beach, in Washington state for their annual kite festival in august.  It's a week long kite flyers delight.  One of Tom's favorite kites to make are "fighter kites", he has many.  Myself, I am into single line kites, dual line (aka stunt kites), and quad liners.

   Both Tom and I have flown our kites on this mountain, but him being the climber, he does it near the top, while I use the top of "Crystal Mountain's" ski area.  The chair lift up to the top is a wonderful experience.  There are many places you can stop and visit along your drive around the mountain.  In the near future I will be adding some of my personal pictures of this mountain, and Mount Saint Helen's.  I spent 2 days hiking into see the damage for myself, and got many good pictures.  As soon as I can get them scanned, I will start adding them in.  So check back every now and them to see the new pictures.    

   After leaving the Army, I went on to a career in photography, and small engine repair (motorcycles, jet ski's, snowmobiles,
outboards and power equipment).  I have many different hobbies, which include motorcycle riding, kite flying, blues and jazz
music, photography, dancing, camping, fishing, and gardening.  I especially love to grow house plants, and out door plants like star-gazer lilies, roses, daffodils, tulips, calli lilies, cana lilies, and many others.  I have many plants on the boat, as well as a garden here in the marina.  I also grow some of my plants on the deck at the club house here, as well as growing a few of
them on others people's boats who appreciate the plants with out all the work.  Working with my plants is a good form of
relaxation for me.

   Like I said earlier, I have a huge love of music.  Everything from big band stuff, rock and roll, blues, and jazz, and some ne
age stuff.  I am especially fond of the blues thought.  I love to listen to such greats as Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Johnny
Winters, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Howlin Wolfe, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Doctor John, Etta James, just to name a
few.  I am very fond of any good guitar and saxophone players out there.  I even have a number of albums from foreign artists
as well in my collection.  All together I figure that I have around 2,000 albums, 45's, and LP's all together.

   I love to travel to the ocean, and go kite flying.  I have been an avid kite flyer for years, and try to always pack a kite, and a
camera where ever I go.  Even when I travel abroad.  I have a small kite that I can take any where I go.  I have "stunt" kites up to 16 feet in wingspan.  I always keep at least 2 kites in my car or truck where ever I drive.  I have even been known to strap
one on to my motorcycle and head out from time to time.  You just never know where you will find good wind, or a nice
unusual place to fly.  I really enjoy flying my kites to music if the chance comes up.  I love to do stunts to the music, usually a
good blues tune of some kind.  I love to listen to music doing almost anything.

   At 5' 11'' and 240 lbs, I am sort of a teddy bear with bi-ceps. so to speak.  I tend to be the type of person who is normally
very gentle, and easy to get along with.  I am a very good listener, and people who meet me usually comment on how easy it
is to talk with me.  Most feel that they have known me for a while, instead of just meeting me.  I am a sort of closet comic, and love to make others laugh or smile if possible.  And I can't turn down telling, or hearing a good joke.  I have done some work
as an announcer for a friends local access cable television show, and was a fill in host of the show one night when she was
unable to show up for her show.  She had been in the hospital.  (Love you Kathy.)

   While in the service in Okinawa, I learn the art of massage there.  I have sort of my own style of massage that I picked up
from the best parts of the different massage styles out there.  I don't use any certain style, but instead sort of a best of the rest.
And I can be a rather good cook if I wish to be.  I am especially fond of seafood, and barbecue foods.  I like most foods in
general, but have a thing for Italian, Mexican, Oriental, Mongolian, and good pizza.  Needless to say, I am a real sucker for a
good back massage and home cooked food any time.

   I am the type of person that is very out going, and some what of a closet comic.  I have a super sense of humor, and use it all of the time.  It has served me rather well.  I am a positive person with the attitude "don't tell me I can't, just tell me that I
shouldn't".  I am very independent, and resourceful.  I don't believe in "I can't", and believe that a person is no better than
their words.  I admire honesty, the ability to communicate well, and a person who like me is a giver, and not a taker.  I am a
laid back sort of person.  I am a blue collar worker, and can't remember the last time I wore a suit and tie.  I like jeans, and
flannel shirts, (weather permitting).  I have a huge passion for tye-dyed anything.  I have many T-shirts, long sleeve T-shirts,
and more.