feenix

I live in New York City (Manhattan) but I was not born there. My place of birth is Los Angeles, California, and although I have been living in New York ever since 1979, I still consider myself to be an “Angeleno”. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the “Big Apple”. It is just that I’ve got Hollywood in my blood.

I am “old school” in that I grew up during the 1950s and 1960s, and meaning that I am one of those guys who does such things as hold doors open for the ladies, always picks up the tab when I go out on dates, does the cha cha to just about any tune that is played, and wear a suit and tie when I go out on the town.

So far as my background, back in the day my late father was a Pullman porter for the Santa Fe Railroad on the run between Los Angeles and Chicago, and my late mother worked as a maid for a very well-known movie producer who was quite prominent from the 1930s to 1960s.

I served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1970 and did one tour of duty in Germany and two in Vietnam. In addition, I was in the infantry branch, fought in some of the biggest and worst battles of the Vietnam War, was awarded a number of awards for valor in combat and meritorious service, and advanced to the rank of Captain. And I must say that I am more proud of my military service for my country than anything else I have done in this world.

When I was honorably discharged from the Army in 1970, I landed a job with a large Los Angeles-based life insurance company as an entry-level claim examiner and went on to work in the insurance industry for nearly 40 years.

I am an Aries which is one of the primary reasons why I tend to be a cocky, self-absorbed son-of-a-gun. On the other hand, however, I do have quite a number of positive traits. Just to state a few, I am very loyal, I have a strong work ethic, I always conduct myself like a gentleman, and I am a pretty-good cook (my specialty is southern-Louisiana Creole and Cajun dishes).

The reason why I call myself “feenix” is I have risen from the ashes so many times I lost count many years ago. And just in case you are wondering, I am aware that the correct spelling is Phoenix.

In closing, I must say that I am always driven to make positive contributions to U.S. society, as the well as the world as a whole, and to provide a helping hand to those who are not as fortunate as I.