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I'd like to believe that I'm an interesting person. That may be putting too much of a positive spin on things, as I've been called complex, high-maintenance, enigmatic, and vain -- all of which are valid. My friends call me an instigator, but I prefer to think of myself as a subtle catalyst.
One of my shortcomings is a tendency to explain myself in excruciating detail. I hate being misunderstood. Pity my friends. And perhaps this is why I have this website.
So welcome to my sanctuary -- and prepare to tread water in the flood of my prose.

Professions
You may already have gathered that I am a writer. I've left a trail of over two hundred poems. I continue to write poetry, but there are several novels and children's books clamoring to escape my imagination and be made real on paper. I aspire to be a storyteller -- a good one. Right now I am working on too many projects to focus on writing, but I see writing as a second career down the road.
I am also a graphics artist. My portfolio includes illustrations, newsletters, websites, logos and business cards. I have a number of art projects in mind, but these ideas get no more attention than my writing.
I certainly would be a more prolific writer and artist if I spent some time pursuing those activities. But these are not how I make my living. No, my work week is consumed with being a professional in Information Technology -- specifically as an IT Enterprise Architect. I don't want to explain here what an Enterprise Architect does. Consider it a cross between a Computer Programmer and an Air Traffic Controller.
I love developing computer software systems for my customers. I have an aptitude for the technology -- and for working with people. And since I'm a writer and artist, I like to document the systems as well. Quite un-programmerlike.

Interests
I guess I'm a technogeek, because I do like to work with computers at home as well. My computer of choice is the Apple Macintosh -- elegant, powerful, innovative -- and extremely well-suited for my art and writing projects. I've written software for my Macs but generally prefer to use magical programs such as Adobe Photoshop.
I'm an avid reader; my home has walls lined with bookshelves. When I moved in 2003, I had 36 boxes of books -- not counting the ones in the garage. Topics are all across the board, although there is a sizeable contingent of Science Fiction books.
I don't read much SciFi anymore. My passion in the last decade or so has been anime (Japanese cartoons) and manga (Japanese comics). So I have many volumes of manga, anime videos, and anime collectibles. Some of my illustrations are done in an anime style as well. In addition, anime is the source of my Internet name, LovelyAngel.
I like sports -- primarily badminton, volleyball, cycling, and football, and I prefer participating rather than watching. I'm conditioned to be competitive.
I'll be listing a few of my favorite shows, musicians, and books

Beliefs
I have a strong belief in God, and I see the different religions of the world reflecting the many faces of God. I don't think any particular religion or denomination is closer to the truth than any other, and I believe it's OK to select one and follow its traditions for honoring God. I think the teachings of Christ are powerful and inspirational, and I am a member of the United Church of Christ (UCC) because of its social activism as well as its Open and Affirming philosophy.
I believe in the value of people but recognize our underachievement in supporting them. Consequently, I have a long history of giving regularly to organizations -- UNICEF, Food First, Habitat for Humanity, The Hunger Project, America's Second Harvest, Oregon Food Bank, Loaves & Fishes, Transition Projects, SMYRC, Cascade AIDS Project, and more.

Personality
I'm a Pisces, born in the Chinese Year of the Sheep. Universalist. Sensitive. Artistic. In the Myers-Briggs universe I'm an INTJ. Introverted. Intuitive. Thinking. Judging (i.e., closure-oriented). However, I am finding my midlife rich with INFJ overtones.
I'm also a "Type A" personality, but I like the label a friend gave me -- she calls me a "Zen Type A." It fits my contradictions.
I love to hear the sound of the Oregon rain while I work at my desk. I love to walk in an insistent and playful breeze on an autumn day. I love pizza and spaghetti and a bunch of other things that are bad for me. I love the company and conversation of good friends. I love my son and daughter -- precious and delightful joys.
For the most part, I'm just like everyone else. I make mistakes, and I live to tell about them. I am generous and selfish, proud and humble, assertive and insecure, brilliant and clueless, creative and dull. I can be a dream or a nightmare. But can't we all?