On a personal note, I am long-divorced and have two grown children.

Personally, I am noncompetitive, but do my best under whatever the circumstances may be.

My reading interests are mainly in Science and Technology - nonfiction.

My hobbies include computers and stamp collecting.

I consider myself to be an intellectual in the best sense of the word - interested and, hopefully, conversant on sorts of topics.

Through the years, I have developed character traits that can help to describe me. These traits include being intelligent, kind, realistic, open to continued learning, fearless about the future, with an understanding of politics, able to work through complex problems, meek, able to "read," with no bad habits (such as drinking, smoking, drugs, or gambling), flexible, alert, and with a good sense of humor. The two most important to me are being intelligent and kind, with kindness being the more important of these two.

In terms of organizations joined, I was formerly in the AICHE, the ACS, MENSA, PACS (the Philadelphia Area Computer Society), PETA, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Sierra Club, and PCRM (a Physicians group).  Currently I belong to the Pioneer Valley PC Users Group, AARP, and two online vegan/vegetarian groups on MSN.

These organizations reflect my activities in professional employment, community service, and personal concerns for the Earth and its people, plants, and animals.

I have actively sought a couple of patents, one through work and one privately. These potential patents were for a technique to determine the temperature of flue gases optically and for a laser device to measure distances in sporting events, respectively.

Sports that I have participated in actively as an adult are softball, touch football, bowling, skiing, and tennis.