Nope, I am not from the Middle East. I grew up a country boy in a tiny rural American village, joining the US Army right after high school to travel the world. I am also a world history buff and lover of life, though I "travel the world" more on the computer & in books than in RL these days. Among my favorite things are: the smell of sweet hardwood smoke & a beef brisket; the feel of a lunker fish when you set the hook; my paddle in hand while riding my canoe down a rushing stream, dark summer night skies aglow with the Milky Way, and camping with my grandchildren, family & friends.