The Cast

This page contains a list of the people and places involved in my life. Check the Events and Places pages for additional information.

Friends

Aleshia Politsky

[Photo] Aleshia and I met in the Autumn of 2006. She first showed up at the CincyUpdate meetings towards the end of October. Bright, beautiful and intelligent she's easy to get along with, even though she is a lawyer. Unfortunately she's off the romantic radar for me because she smokes, but otherwise, very clear long-relationship material.

Amanda [[NAME OMITTED BY REQUEST]]

I met the daughter of the famed [[OMITTED]] family through Karen Singerman and Lauren Holditch. She and I went on a few dates back in 2004 prior to her going off to college. While I had no issues with the age gap, Karen made it a point to separate the two of us and I hadn't heard from Amanda until November of 2007. Karen's meddlesome ways have gotten in my way a few times. Amanda had a fairly dark personality at the time I was seeing her and she mainly was into dark tales, Edgar Allan Poe poetry and vampires, etc. Recently I heard she had become somewhat of a prep and was extremely popular now that she's in college, this turned out to be false. I hope that she is indeed happy. She deserves it.

Amanda Knauer

[Photo] Amanda and I met at Otakon 2005 in Baltimore. I still don't recognize the character she cosplayed as, but whatever. Beautiful, interesting and fun Amanda and I had some neat conversations while at Otakon. We migrated online after the convention and have been chatting it up on and off for the past couple of years. I have repeatedly planned on visiting her in Philadelphia only to be consistently shot down by my own money or vehicle woes. We do plan on seeing each other at Otakon 2007 though.

Amy Tokarsky

[Photo] Amy and I met at Tekkoshocon 2005. A bright bubbly, tall beautiful girl. We dated for four months, though I could swear it was longer, and we grew amazingly close. Though we don't see each other very often anymore, I still try to talk to her as frequently as I can and see if there isn't some mutual date/time when we can meet up. Our friends are friends with each other and our groups get along so by extension we'll always be connected. Amy's still as fun as ever.

Angela Ly

Angela and I met late Winter early Spring of 2004 through our mutual friend Leslie Na. I was immediately drawn to Angela. She's bubbly, intelligent, and has a strong personality. The past few years she's been off in East Asia doing Christian missionary work. I wish her the best in the region and the most in safety. She is in my thoughts, and I commonly think about her while clearing my mind for meditation.

Anna Marsh-Mambourg

Anna and I dated very briefly after Christina and I broke up (a few months after, not a rebounder). We hit it off extremely well. Unfortunately we let a couple of her friends (one of them mutual) interrupt the mojo we had going on because 'they' didn't feel we were a good fit together. I still feel perpetually drawn to her, which is dangerous because she's married with two cute little kids now. If I can turn that into fuel for a much stronger friendship between us instead of a physical and emotional attraction perhaps we'll be friends for life.

Anna Sturgeon

Anna and I met in October 2005 on HotOrNot.com. Intellectually we were an awesome pair. And I believe our meeting brought me to my realization that I needed to run for political office (although that would happen much later). We dated November through December of 2005, non-exclusively. We parted ways shortly before the beginning or 2006. We still chat online occasionally, and I've bumped into her around town a couple of times. I miss her and Bess a lot. They were a lot of fun, and really helped me to concentrate on what was important.

Anthony Burchette

[Photo] Tony and I met about halfway through our sophomore year in high school at Lakota West. Actually in Mr. Wilhite's English class as I was passing out Apple logo stickers (the old rainbow ones). Ever since then Tony and I have been close friends. Relying on each other for different needs, playing each others strengths and weaknesses as eventually going into business together forming Ripple LLC.

Aretha Brown

[Photo] Aretha and I met while I was working at the AppleStore in Cincinnati. We'd flirted with possibly dating a number of times since we met back in 2004. It's a shame we never did because she is a bold ambitious and beautiful woman. She has something holding her back from seeing anyone, at least that's how it feels to me. And I don't think it's my responsibility to break through that barrier. Heard from her recently though and I'm looking forward to seeing her again. I miss the bubbly model-ish personality she has.

Barbara Neeman

Barbara and I met in middle school at Liberty Jr in seventh grade. Mutual friends with Beth Nashbauer, Barbara and I grew close as well. Though we never dated, I often thought about asking her. Both she and Beth were much more liberal than I was at the time and their influence help break me out of my prudish mold. This occurrence was much later than most kids my age, and you can thank my family for my still-currently-somewhat-prudish nature. Barbara and I had several classes together including Theater and Chorale.

Beth Nashbauer

Beth and I attended school together from middle school (Liberty Jr.) through high school (Lakota West). In 8th grade my mind lost its virginity to her, but my body didn't. We spoke for hours on the phone frequently and grew very close through eighth and ninth grades. To the point of making a childish pact of marriage if neither of us was in a committed relationship by the time we were twenty eight. At some point between our freshman and sophomore years Beth's personality changed drastically and she became both clingy and invasive. We grew further apart through our Junior year, and I don't recall seeing her at all during my senior year at West. I hope she is well, and I still think of her on occasion.

Brad Arner

Brad and I met in either seventh or eighth grade through our mutual friend Eric Franz. Brad, Eric and I remained strong friends until sometime after ninth grade when my Christian belief set waned from existence and then Brad (as far as I know) passed on MIT to go to Ohio State and became addicted to drugs. I hear Brad and Eric or Eric's father are now doing a Messianic Bible study in Liberty Township now.

Bryan Simpson

[Photo] Bryan and I are both originals from the AppleStore Kenwood opening. Bryan always ended up doing iPhoto workshops due to his graphics expertise. It's a shame I didn't end up doing more presentations. I really should have. I'd likely be less shy speaking in front of crowds. Bryan and I still see each other on occasion at Molly Malone's on Montgomery Rd. for Trivia night on Tuesdays. We chat online using AIM from time to time as well.

Casey Townsend

[Photo] Casey and I met at the Global Night Commute held at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center here in Cincinnati back in the Spring of 2006. I thought she was gorgeous, and so I sparked a conversation with her. We ended up going for a walk. Turns out she'd been to Kenya on a mission trip not too long before and was very excited to return. She was also a videographer and loved anything to do with taking videos and the like. By the time I got home from the event she'd already sent a friend request to me on MySpace. Living up in Dayton I've only been able to visit her a few times, but I felt comfortable enough to leave my iMac in her charge so she could work on editing her videos using iMovie. Since then she has gone to Kenya again and returned and is eager to continue editing. I will be providing her with my Mac mini for a while to continue editing her film as well as an LCD display and a wireless keyboard and mouse for her to use. Another bubbly, intelligent, and forthright individual I seem to have been attracted to. She turned down the meager advances I'd made, so I don't bring it up any more.

Chris Beiting

[Photo] Beiting and I both worked at the AppleStore here in Cincinnati. Beiting plays drums for bands, one of which is listed on the iTunes Store. Go Chris! After Paul and I left Apple Beiting moved up to a Mac Genius position at the store, and I believe may have subsequently left Apple again (the third time I think). Beiting and I primarily only get to see each other anymore when I am invited to Apple events such as people leaving Apple (which is still an odd way to go - celebration of you leaving).

Chris Brown

[Photo] Chris dated Leslie for five months starting at the end of August 2006. Pompous and arrogant he's a strong individual. A former Cincinnati Police Officer, he now is considered a premiere personal trainer in the Cincinnati area and reportedly trains a number of Bengals and Reds players privately. Chris and Leslie broke up at the end of 2006.

Chris Sabo

Chris Sabo was a childhood hero of mine. Strong, athletic, and manly he's the kind of guy I wanted to be when I grew up. It helped a bit that he was a Major League Baseball player. While I followed his career mostly as a chile, I got to meet him at the AppleStore several times and never quite introduced myself as a fan. He coaches batting practice for the Dayton Dragons minor league baseball team in Dayton, OH.

Christina Barlett

[Photo] Christina and I met by chance as I was shopping at Cincinnati Sci-Fi, a comic and enthusiast gaming store in West Chester. Tony and I both thought she was cute, so I asked her if I could borrow her copy of Lain (a Anime show I'd wanted to see for a while). This being the first time we met she was cautious but relented. I used it as an excuse for Tony and I to return sooner rather than later and that we did. I was dating Jessica Sietsema at the time and shouldn't have ended up making out with Christina, but I did. Christina and I dated for four years. We had our ups and downs, transgressions and issues. We even moved in together when my family chose to kick me out because my grandmother's brother from St Louis (who has an IQ below 70) was going to move in and there wasn't enough room for both of us. Christina and I remain strong friends and we continue to hang out, see movies on occasion or go out to eat. I broke up with her at the end of 2001 after a transgression I could no longer handle after trying hard to get past it. My love for her will not cease, but has faded a bit. We have a strong friendship ahead of us.

Christy Mathews

Christy and I met at a Valentine's Day party thrown by Eric's friends Amara and Heather Shepherd (both very cute) back in the 8th grade. The party required secret gifts brought by everyone. I met a number of my friends at this party. Christy had brought a mug that said "Too Hot to Handle" with a little stuffed demon and a pitchfork inside. I still have these. Christy and I grew as friends for a while after the party, and I had even been invited to her birthday party the next month which I bought her a cubic zirconia necklace. I was really jonesin' for her and I knew it. I'd never dated anyone before and I really wanted Christy to be the one, I just couldn't bring myself to ask her. Along came Jodie Henn, who became my first girlfriend instead. A move I still consider to be the greatest blunder of my life, and one of only three things I regret. I'm certain Christy took it as a slight. We grew apart from that point. I've wondered for years how she has been doing. Only recently she and I reconnected online through FaceBook and MySpace, trading numbers and getting together down at Hoffbrauhaus with some of her friends for a friend's birthday. I've no idea if she still harbors feelings for me, or if she ever did. But my feelings for her have never subsided, and they rushed right back into the foreground when I saw her.

Christy Price

Christy and I went to high school together at Lakota West. Beautiful and strong willed, intelligent but gentle, I fell for her instantly. While she and I never dated, I continue to believe we should have. She shipped off to the Navy in 2004 and I haven't heard from her since. For a while she was working security for Tri-County Mall, and was easy enough to find. Without her military postal address I have no way of getting in contact with her. Her old contact info no longer works. I would welcome the chance to hang out with her again.

Chung-Hui Hsu

I met Chung-Hui (Choong ~ Hway) on FaceBook in January of 2007. We have sent messages via FaceBook and Text Messaging. We also went on a date to Baba Budan's in Clifton near UC Campus where we discussed her home country of Taiwan, our collective interests, our differing interests, symphonic music and more. Another date is planned for the third week of February 2007 prior to my departure for Katsucon 13 in Washington D.C.

Crystal Koenig

This beautiful, energetic and fun Half Thai half Japanese woman is way too much for my eyes to endure in one breath. In fact I think if I were to look at her for too long I would go blind. Crystal and I met at a party thrown by Leslie Na and Chenny Chen when the two of them moved into an apartment together with a couple other girls. I danced nine straight hours at that party, breaking only for water. It was fantastic. Crystal would check in from time to time to see if I was indeed still dancing or not and was always surprised to see me dancing. Crystal is dating someone, and even though Chenny Chen is in love with her, if Crystal ever becomes available for the requisite "no dating" period I would go for her in a heartbeat. She's Asian, hot, fun, energetic, intelligent and crazy as hell.

Dave "Just Dave"

Dave and I met sometime in 2004. One of Paul's friends he and I got along, and continue to do so. Dave's strong conservative political views balance Paul's extreme left views and I seem to have a bit of both. Dave, Paul and I commonly discuss history and politics. We play a round of network games almost every Saturday or Sunday here at the house. I don't know too much about Dave or his history, but he's a great guy with valid and strong views.

Daverick Yonus

[Photo] Daverick and I met while I was working at the AppleStore. As a Mormon his religion set me back at first but our mutual interest in Japan and Japanese culture took over and we've grown much closer. He and his Wife Miranda moved from Fairfield, OH down to Elanger, KY during the summer of 2006. While the Mormon religion still sets me back a bit, the fact that he's a no-pressure kind of guy, and that he truly does live by example is commendable. We've grown closer, and only get to see each other on occasion due to our schedules, but anytime I can get the chance to visit him. I do. And vice-versa.

Deanna Powell

[Photo] Deanna is a beautiful woman with intelligence and an intriguing personality. We met at CincyUpdate shortly after I joined the group. I was instantly attracted to her and haven't kept that attraction hidden. We've gone out for a few drinks, and we went out to dinner on my 24th birthday (2006). I'm never comfortable with really when to make a move, so I don't and I think that may be frustrating her. She's hard to read, which is one of her intriguing traits.

Dmitry Galandi

Dmitry is one of the Legendary tech's at the AppleStore. Fun and interesting, Dmitry always has ways to find new and interesting things online and off. I don't get to see him often any longer but I enjoy his company whenever I do see him.

Enrique Thomas

[Photo] TK and I met each other while attending ITT Tech in Norwood. We wound up working together at Ripple LLC with Tony and then at Trivantis Corporation downtown Cincinnati for about a year and a half. While at Trivantis Enrique and I grew amazingly close. We went out to eat We became Clubbin' buddies. It was awesome. Spring of 2006 in Orlando for the Lectora user conference with Trivantis, Enrique met up with an old sweetheart of his, Sakona. By August he moved down to Orlando to be with her. The two make an awesome couple and I cannot wait to drive down to visit them in Orlando. It'll be good times. But I need to get back my dance groove first.

Eric Franz

Eric and I met in Mr. Keller's class in 5th grade at Lakota. During recess we'd play "Jurassic Park". On the weekends at his house we'd play with Legos or build forts, sometimes with Brad Arner. Eric and I remained close friends through 11th grade when we had a fallout. We didn't speak to each other until Summer of 2006 when I finally got hold of him by running into him at the annual "Run/Walk for Hunger" supporting the Free Store Food Bank in Downtown Cincinnati. It was awesome seeing him. We got together a couple times for dinner, but haven't seen each other again since September or October of 2006. I look to remedy this as well. I miss him, and his energy.

Erin Selter

Erin is an extremely intelligent and beautiful woman. I'd thought many times of asking her out after she and Christian Miller broke up. Erin and Christian dated throughout high school at Wyoming and both decided to attend Case Western Reserve University. Erin was studying Biochemistry at the time I believe. She moved on to dating a guy who was going to Georgetown I think. I have no idea what her status is with him, or if she's still at CWRU but I miss her awkward social interactions, love of pointy objects and her "bubble" of personal space which kept around her at all times.

Janet Tranovich

Janet lived two houses down from us when we moved to West Chester with my grandmother. Janet was a tall, blonde and beautiful girl which I held a crush on for years (and would still be willing to date today). I was a friend of a couple of her younger brothers (Mark and John, both of which were spoiled as hell) and was often over at their house. At one point we were all at the pool in their back yard while she was sunbathing and the top of her bikini fell off. I'm not sure why I didn't care at the time, but I just lightly noted to her, and she covered up without anyone else noticing. Until now, I've kept this relatively secret. I don't know what happened to Janet, but the family moved away during my senior year in high school.

Jennifer Oberlag

Jenny and I went to Lakota West together. Her interests lay mostly in the artistic realm and didn't much appeal on my end. She had some energy and and whole lot of intelligence and so appealed to Tony a great deal. While I couldn't date Jenny, I know that Tony would love to. She's a great girl and definitely worth it. I wish him the best on the realm. I am still trying to learn some Photography pointers from Jenny as we go along. We'll see how that goes.

Jodie Henn

Jodie became my first girlfriend back in 8th grade. A decision I learned from and a regret I still hold close because I knew even then that I really wanted to be with Christy Matthews. Jodie and I dated for four months. We started dating when she called me up one night and asked me out. At first I resisted saying that I barely knew her. We talked for a few hours and she asked again. Asa doofus I said yes. While four months is a long relationship for eighth graders, I still feel that Christy and I would have had a stronger and longer lasting relationship that may have persisted even to today. I may never know. Jodie is now married to a youth pastor and lives in Michigan. We ran into each other during a visit she made around Christmas of 2003 when she stopped into the AppleStore in Cincinnati.

John Tranovich

John was a bit of an asshole. Attractive and pompous John took his popularity with girls as a sign that he was an alpha-male, and left it that way until his late high school years. John was two years younger than me and we'd often only hang out to play football, baseball, or some other sport other than soccer (which I have always admonished). John, his younger brother Mark (a really huge asshole) and his older sister Janet moved away with their family during my senior year at Lakota West.

Josh Queen

I met Josh at a party Leslie threw when she moved in with Chenny Chen, Heather and their other roommate who wasn't at the house yet. Josh is outgoing, fun and ballsy. His eclectic personality and fantastic sense of fashion tend to purvey so much of what he does. I attended Josh's "Skanksgiving" party in November of 2006 which was a potluck party. We met up again at another event in early December 2006 for some drinks, but I haven't really seen him since. I should work on that. :P

Karen Singerman

[Photo] I met Karen through Ben Filio who I met through Christian Miller. I believe Karen and Ben were dating at the time. Karen and I were friends for a while and she ended up dating Anthony for a couple years. They became engaged for about a year and then she broke it off. Karen is headstrong. Intelligent, witty and forthright she'll do what she thinks is right for her friends and probably wouldn't think twice about it, even if it makes them angry at the time. She's an interesting woman and one definitely worth having on your side. And most assuredly not against you.

Kim Hard

[Photo] Kim and I met through some mutual friends. We grew closer once I found out she was a Mac user and we had like interests in Anime and Japanese culture. Over time we've hung out a lot. She had a job with GE Capital which took her from the Cincinnati area up to Dayton. She bought a house and moved in with Amy and her boyfriend John. Amy and John moved out in November 2006 and Amy's friend Emily moved in. While I am uncertain to whether Kim has feelings for me beyond friendship I suspect it to be so. Such a suspicion enlightened me to how my pursuit of Leslie Na over the years may have made her uncomfortable. Kim and I are good friends and the opportunity for a stronger friendship is there. Kim currently has a couple different job opportunities, one of which involves Disney, and she does Ripple's finances.

Kirilka Simeonova

Kira and I met on HotOrNot.com in the Autumn of 2006. After a few messages back and forth we decided to meet up for some coffee at Sitwell's in Clifton. She is an international student from Bulgaria attending classes at UC. A sparkling woman she's interesting and fun. We dated openly for a month or so but decided it wasn't what we needed. We've agreed to be friends. I look forwarding to getting together with her on campus while around to visit with Tony and some others.

Laura Bechtel

Laura and I originally met at Eric Franz's 15th birthday party back in the day while I was scarfing down as many Subway sandwiches as possible because I certainly am a horrible glutton. Laura and I continued to grow closer over the years while she became friends with and dated Tony, bunked with me in my West Chester apartment for a month or so. While I wish she and I would have dated, I do not hold any regrets to it being the way it is. I always look forward to hearing from her.

Lauren Holditch

[Photo] I met Lauren through Christian Miller and Karen Singerman. Lauren is an intelligent, flamboyant and attractive woman. Her fear of driving aside she's a fantastic friend to have. I remember one time when we took a walk through her neighborhood in Wyoming (Ohio). It was in the late Spring. I had such a good time relating one on one with her. I'm so much better one on one than I am relating to people as a group. Lauren has some very special qualities about her that I hope she never loses. Including her dirty sense of humor.

Leslie Na

[Photo] Leslie and I have been constant friends since the Valentine's Day party we met at back in 8th grade. That's 11 years so for for those counting. While we were "annual friends" for several years spanning from high school until her triumphant return from college in Syracuse... we always picked up like we never left off. Since her return from college we've seen quite a bit more of each other. We work a couple blocks from each other downtown, which makes it easy to make lunch dates, and after-work plans. I have no-so-secrety been in love with Leslie since our middle-school years but she has consistently rebuffed the attempts I have made to woo her. I've accepted this fate and instead focus on Leslie as being the strongest and longest lasting friendship I have ever had.

Mark Tranovich

Mark and I became instant friends when we noted a communal interest in sports cards and video games. We often congregated in his basement to play games on the Sega Genesis or Atari Jaguar systems he had. For whatever reason though we had a six year difference in age Mark and I got along pretty well. What's doubly interesting is that while I always hated assholes, I put up with Mark's shit to the n'th degree with very little question.

Michael Lee

[Photo] Mr. Lee is one of the foremost entrepreneurs in the Cincinnati area. Consistently written about in the local papers, tabloids and other periodicals, he is a brilliant businessman and great technologist. I met Michael through a non-profit he formed to promote events around Cincinnati called CincyUpdate. The site is free and the organization a laid back, rather informal crew of disparate personalities that love to have a great time. I am interested in the groups workings and placement in Cincinnati culture. I also feel connections can be made to help build a foundation for my political career moving forward. But in general, I still love to have a great time!

Michael Melchers

[Photo] Melchers and I are two originals from the AppleStore in Cincinnati. Both apparently considered Legends in our own time at the store, Melchers returned twice after having left the store. A brilliant mind, Melchers is more a hardware geek to my software based ideologies. While with Apple he held an internship in Cupertino (Apple headquarters) and worked with Apple's hardware design team, and worked on the initial iPod shuffle project (though he obviously couldn't tell us that then). Melchers is married to a wonderful woman named Jill and they had been dating for years. During that period we all shipped off to a Dave Matthews Band concert at RiverBend. It was an interesting experience.

Nathaniel Walizer

Nathaniel and I met on OKCupid, a website for people to meet and perhaps date or whatever. While neither of us is interested in men, we both thought each other's interest in technology was a huge bonus and started messaging back and forth. A few months later we arranged to meet at a party I was throwing so I could meet a number of my online friends. Some of them ended up skipping out, but Nathaniel was in for the thick of it. After Anthony left Ripple in November of 2006, I approached Nathaniel about having him, and perhaps his girlfriend Karen join up with me for Ripple so we could get the project up and running. We've met twice about it, but I've been so killed by work at Trivantis I haven't had the time to do a lot of the things I need to for them to be set up properly. I hope to resolve this soon.

Neha Reddy

Neha moved in next to Paul and I while we were living off Loraine down in Clifton's gaslight district. As seems to be a theme I became interested in Neha. Though she wasn't interested in me from what I could tell (another recurring theme). A doctoral student at the University of Cincinnati, she now works as an internist at University Hospital. Neha and I have gone dancing a few times and hang out on occasion. I miss her point of view consistently and am always happy to see her. Given the opportunity to date, I don't think I would hesitate.

Nikki Mason

[Photo] I met Nikki on OKCupid. An intelligent, insightful, and engaging young woman. It was hard to believe at the time. A couple months into our conversing she was looking for a way to get out of going to Boston for a photo project because her "guide" had the jones for her and was a total perv. Not that I wasn't but I offered to take her to Baltimore and show her around. We arranged it for about a month after the idea initially came up. I drove to Dayton to pick her up. We met in front of some movie rental place, drove to her house to get her stuff and set off. No ifs ands or butts. No questioning the creepiness of the other person, we just drove. We ended up talking the entire nine hour drive there, the entire time in Baltimore, and the entire nine hour trip back. I feel like she and I connected like I've never connected with anyone before and I'll hold that statement as of today Wednesday January 24th 2007 (the trip was in Oct. 05). I would take her in a second if she wasn't already taken, but I'll respect that she is. We haven't seen much of each other since we returned but I miss her greatly and I think of her often. We did run into each other on FaceBook in early February 2007 and exchanged contact info. We're working on getting together soon, if for nothing more than to reminisce.

Paul Findsen

Paul is an interesting fellow. We met as "Originals" and "Legends" at the AppleStore in Cincinnati. We were part of the opening crew that still holds the record (to my knowledge) of fastest store launch at under 36 hours. As a point of mutual financial benefit Paul and I moved in together back at early Spring 2003 and we have been living together since. August 2005 Paul's friend Peter bought a house for us to rent from him at an unbelievably reasonable rate (a gesture worth a million words). We have been living in this house with Todd the entire time, Tony for about a year, and Christina (quietly) on a perpetual basis. We have an open room for a fourth tenant at the moment as well. Paul and I have grown as friends. Political and historical discussions, abound. A common interest set that connects all over the place allows us to continually have fresh conversations.

Sakona

Sakona is a beautiful and endearing woman. I can see why Enrique was crazy enough about her to relocate to Orlando (forgiving the fact that he loves Orlando anyway). Sakona and he mesh really well. I'm not too familiar with Sakona or her background but the time we spent together while she was in town was enough for me to acknowledge she was very good for my close friend and I was able to let him go without a lot of argument (not that he would have listened to my argument but I could have said something). I welcome the chance to visit them in Orlando and to learn more about Sakona.

Sarah Danehe

Sarah and I met at the AppleStore in Cincinnati. She needed a laptop for school, as she would be attending classes for graphic design at NKU. She and I became friends over time as I courted her to visit the old apartment on Loraine once and we had a fun conversation involving history and politics with Paul (who usually ends up overshadowing me on such things). Sarah worked at a store down the hall from Apple in the mall and I would visit her and a couple other people on occasion to say hi and catch up. And because it kept me from being back in the store. Since then Sarah has moved to Atlanta gotten married to an Israeli guy, and now has a child with him. We speak semi-frequently online, and I'm always happy to hear from her. She's fun and interesting.

Sarah Tsai

[Photo] I first met Sarah at the AppleStore in Cincinnati. But it would be a couple of years before we would actually get to 'really' meeting. Leslie and I attended the "Summer Soiree: Mingle at the Masters" event in Mason during the Western Southern ATP Championship Tennis series held every August, and I saw her there. I knew I recognized her but couldn't remember her name. I met up with her near one of the empty courts late in the event and sparked a conversation. She invited me to stop by for one of the meetings at CincyUpdate. I joined the CincyUpdate crew shortly after. She invited me out for drinks. I never took her up on it, but I know I should call that favor in sometime. She's beautiful, fun and interesting. She models, works hard and is intelligent. Sigh. A tri-fecta of good.

Scott Baker

[Photo] Known as "Scott "Dancin' Man" Baker, we met at the Summer Soiree: Mingle at the Masters event during the Summer of 2006. Scott caught my eye while break-dancing on the dance floor there. We met again at the first CincyUpdate meeting I attended. Scott and I have gone out dancing a few times together, including a couple of events with Sonia and a few others I've introduced him to. Scotts a great guy and lots of fun. He's an avid promoter and will spread the word on anything like a virus.

Seth Greer

Honestly I don't remember much from my early childhood. But I do remember Seth Greer. Seth was the first real friend I recall ever having. We played all the time outside of school. He lived about a block away from me in Morrow, OH and had a mulberry bush in his backyard we used to harvest from all the time. I was severely distraught one summer when he moved away. I don't recall to where and try as I might I haven't been able to locate him using any method I have tried including FaceBook, MySpace, and the rest of the Web.

Sonia Williamson

[Photo] Sonia and I met through HotOrNot.com and got together back in November of 2005. We've communicated frequently through instant messages over the past year and a half and we've met up to go drinking, dancing, have some coffee and more. I think we even met up to go see a movie once. And I know we hit up Fox and Hound up in Dayton while she was living there and I took her to One World Wednesday for Mexico I think. Fun and entertaining, Sonia has all kinds of energy and is bouncy as hell. A good attraction level to Sonia that isn't reciprocated, but it doesn't matter. She's awesome as a friend regardless.

Todd McCoy

Todd and I met through Paul. Todd is a quiet kind of guy. Fun and interesting. He currently works for one of the largest text book publishers in the world. A black-belt in Shodokon Karate Todd can kick most anyone's ass pretty easily. I hope I never give him a reason to kick mine. Todd has an insightful mind, always thinking, always contemplating something. I have no idea what Todd's goals or aspirations are, but I bet they're lofty enough.

Trelan Jones

Trelan is a really interesting and fun girl. I was introduced to her by Leslie. Trelan and I go out on our own sometimes. Sometimes with Leslie. She's married to a Muslim man from Africa named Bindir (Bin-dear) who is a really neat guy I enjoy discussing politics with. Trelan is a "starving artist" currently teaching art at a school somewhere in town and who exhibits often at a number of galleries around town. Trelan got a little puppy during the Autumn of 2006 which she named Soya. Soya has been having health problems and has become expensive to keep, but Trelan won't give her up. Trelan is another Mac user. Being an artists this is always a benefit. :P

Victoria Blacksledger

Tori and I went to early elementary together in Morrow, OH. I consider her to be my "first love". Though we never kissed, and I don't recall discussing it with her back in first or second grade I was always attracted to her. Last I heard she was attending the University of Cincinnati taking art and business classes.


Family

Alex Galati

[Photo] Alex truly is the bi-product of his mother. Born to his mother and my uncle Mike. Alex can be fun if you get him at the right time, but he has a tendency to like to be overly rambunctious. He's always attention seeking, which can be dangerous. Overall though he's not a bad kid.

Alicia Galati

[Photo] Alicia is a lot of fun. Full of energy and most always the optimist she has always resonated well with me. She and I attended Otakon together one year. It was a great time. The other girls were there, but not really. Li was very much into the atmosphere, having found a place to belong.

Jim Galati

(Grandpa) [Photo] Grandpa and I seem a distant pair. I think he wants to get to know me better and understand where I come from, but since mom never ended up spending anything but Christmas with him while we were growing up there wasn't much of a chance for him to do so. Not it seems like he's trying to play catch up as best he can. I'd love to hear stories of his time in the military and have discussions about history and politics with him, but he seems to feel those out as touchy topics. Regardless I welcome the opportunity to get to know him more completely.

Jim Galati

(Uncle) Jim is the eldest of the uncles on my mother's side. Tall, with a deep voice his byproducts are Katy, Alicia and Melissa. All awesome and fun girls. Jim's profession is in the legal/financial world and is nowhere in my range. Though admittedly I have plenty to learn in that area. I hope to eventually get to the point where Jim and I can be level in financial talk.

John Galati

[Photo] Another one of Mike's boys John has a pretty good head on his shoulders. I can't say too much since I really don't know him well, but he's careful in his motions and seems to get the world pretty well. He hides his intelligence a bit, but it'll show itself when he hits college I think. He's got a bright future ahead of him.

Katy Galati

[Photo] Another of Jim's girls, Katy is a pessimist. Not so much as Missy, but more-so than Li. Katy went to college already to be a Radiology technician, and then for Pharmacy Science. I forget what she's doing now, but I'm sure it'll work out. She's a pretty driven and determined woman. I know whatever she wants to do, it'll end up going her way.

Kim Galati

[Photo] Kim married Paul so long ago I barely remember the wedding. Though I remember helping out, and I remember the place it was held and being inside of it. I don't remember much else. Kim is a very interesting woman with interesting viewpoints and a fun demeanor. She loves her dogs, the kids she works with, and Paul, and that, I think, is all she needs.

Mark Galati

[Photo] Mark is a cynic. And a grand one. A ton of talent, especially in mathematics (never my strong suit). Mark is hyper critical of himself and others' opinions of him when he shouldn't be. He has a ton going for him, he just needs to play with it until he gets it right. I'm sure he can he just needs to be willing to do so. Mark used to help me with my mathematics homework back in middle school while he still lived in Cincinnati with us. Mark now resides in St. Louis with the rest of the Galati family except grandpa and Nancy as well as Paul & Kim.

Marylin Galati

[Photo] I grew up around grandma a lot. First visiting her and Paul on at her house on Tradewind Drive in Mason, and then when mom and her moved all of us together in West Chester. Grandma and us never completely got along but she's a strong woman with her own options and desires and a hell of a lot of pride to work with.

Matthew Galati

Matt is the eldest of Mike's boys and has already graduated college. He went to a culinary arts school up in Wisconsin. I haven't really tasted his cooking, and I'm sure he would be critical of mine, but it'd be fun to have a cook-off for the hell of it. Matt has great taste in women from what I can tell. Last I heard he and his girlfriend are expecting a child sometime during 2007.

Melissa Galati

[Photo] Missy hates the world that loves her. Whether it's to get attention doesn't matter because I love her to death. She's a fun girl with options and desires that she's not afraid to voice. The youngest of Jim's girls Missy is a willful and somewhat spoiled individual, but she's great for everything she both is, and isn't.

Mike Galati

Uncle mike is a fun guy. A bit pessimistic at times, but lighthearted about it and genuinely interested in all kinds of topics. Mike used to have a huge postage stamp collection. I don't know if he still has it, but it'd be really interesting to pick through. I may have a couple international ones he doesn't. I'd love to hand them over for his collection some day.

Nancy Galati

I don't know when Nancy and grandpa married but they've been really happy together for as long as I can remember. Years ago they had a cat named Maui I loved. They have a HUGE house though which Maui found a plethora of places to hide. I used to try and find him around the house somewhere, and often failed. It was a fun adventure. Recently Maui passed away and they got a new dog for her. I forget its name, but it reminds me of a purse puppy, which I generally have always disliked, but it seems like a nice enough dog.

Paul Galati

[Photo] Of all of my family I think that Paul and I have the most in common. He's partly to blame for my introduction to technology, although not so much the depth to which my interest has grown. Paul has been an Apple user since before the introduction of the Mac and has been tinkering with machinery for a long time. Another hardware to my software interest kind of guy. Paul is usually silly and fun, but has his moments of seriousness as well. He thinks pretty deep and has a head about him. I'm usually pretty curious for his viewpoint.

Tom Galati

Tom has some truly unique interests. I'm not too sure what he actually does for a living but he has a couple great hobbies. He collects old films on VHS. And by old, I mean OLD! Movies from the fifties or forties are the primary but generations after he enjoys as well. Mostly in black and white but sometimes in color. Movies most people have never heard of because they were obscure when they were released. He also reconditions old old old plastic toys from back in the day. Forties and fifties toys. He seems to have a fascination with the era in general, it's a lot of fun to listen to some of his stories.

Brian Giddings

Quite literally the brother I never had, Brian and I didn't meet until after our dad died in 2005. The insurance paperwork named him, so we had to find him. Turns out his mother ran away from my dad because the family didn't have a lot of money and she needed steady income support. She whisked him away to Naples Florida to grow up with her family. He spent most of his life seeking our father and never found him. Likewise my dad spent years looking for Brian. The sad twist of fate that brought us together allowed Stephanie and I to attend his wedding to Melissa a few months later in May of 2005. Brian has three daughters, one with Melissa and two with his prior partner. His life is a bit more liberal than mine in some of his choices, but we're only six years apart in age.

Chrissy Giddings

I really know very little about Chrissy. Other than she is married to Rick, had both Stephanie and Sam (Karen is from another mother), lived in Germany with Rick while he served in Germany, South Korea and Bosnia. She used to run a day care no to far from their home, but I am uncertain as to her occupation now.

Claude Giddings

Grandpa, aka Opa. I really don't know much about the guy besides what the family tells me and my childish memory serves to me. I recall sitting on a big blue couch with him watching old TV shows or cartoons and eating more candy than any kid should have. The family tells me he was an abusive father who server this country bravely in the military for many years. I cannot corroborate this story in any way since he passed in the mid nineties followed quickly by my uncle Gary.

Gary Giddings

Uncle Gary died of a heart attack at a young age within thirty days after my grandfather died. Some say it was due to heartache, other due to a family superstition where the passing parent takes their favorite child with them. In reality I have no idea if either is true. At one point my father had given me a white gold ring with a blue star sapphire in it which had been Gary's. I lots it a few years ago and I am still distraught by that fact, seeing as how I have no idea where I could have lost it. I was about to get the ring re-fitted to my fingers and get the star sapphire re-seated in the ring as it had become slightly loose. I do have Gary's Vietnam dog tags.

Harold Lee Giddings

My dad has a troubled life. Shortened by someone's desire for his leather jacket. He was a man of pride and humbled by many of his experiences. I am sad I wasn't able to get hold of him the summer prior to his death while I had been in Baltimore. All I can do now Is use his memory as a catalyst for improving upon a legacy that I feel needs to be built. I miss him frequently and February and March are consistently a difficult period of year for me now.

Karen Giddings

Karen is closest to me in age when it comes to cousins on my dad's side of the family. Attending college in Texas, Karen's future looks bright. I have contact information for her, but I have not had the chance to contact her in a while. I hope to eventually make a pilgrimage to visit her and many others in Texas eventually, but today is not the day.

Larry Giddings

I really don't know all to much about Larry either. He's the second eldest of my dad's brothers, and he was in federal prison for over thirty two years. He missed the entire computer revolution because of what he calls "being in the wrong place at the wrong time" and "being mixed in with the wrong crowd". Larry is the only member of the Giddings family to have graduated college (let alone high school) and is currently not permitted to leave the state of Washington. I look forward to visiting him at some point, but currently the prospect isn't feasible due to fiscal issues on my end. I haven't heard form him in over a year, but I still write him on occasion.

Rick Giddings

Rick has always been an interesting figure in my life. Somehow a more stable figure than my dad, even though I actually saw him less frequently. I helped build a house with Rick and my dad while spending a summer in Baltimore because my mom didn't know how to handle me. I still think it to be one of the most important experiences of my life. While I don't know the nuances of Rick's life, I know he has three daughters (Sam, Stephanie and Karen), and is an ex Army officer. Rick had been promoted to right hand guard for Colin Powell prior to the formation of the Department of Homeland Security when he was consequently ruled as being too "old" for the position. Rick now spends a deal of his time building custom PCs and running a home customization and remodeling business.

Stephanie Giddings

(Sister) [Photo] Steph and I grew up starting in Morrow, OH in a duplex with mom and dad. Eventually we moved to Sharonville, then to West Chester where we finished our years unto adulthood. While we've had our obvious differences and major disagreements through the years we've grown much closer since dad's passing and I think we regard each other as figures continuing to grow in importance in our lives.

Stephanie Giddings

(Cousin) The "other" Stephanie as Mom, Steph and I would refer to her. She's got a good head on her shoulders. She's just entering the high school range now I think but she's been growing up fast. I'm constantly fascinated by how much more mature she gets each round I drop by the Langley house.

Samantha Giddings

Sam is a funny attention monger of a cousin. Silly and impatient her mind seems to wander a lot. She's nervous rather frequently but doesn't seem all to bothered by it, finding it pretty normal for herself. She's young yet but follows her sister's example.

Waltraud Giddings

The standard German grandmother. I spent a summer with her while out to visit my dad. Culturally we were disparate her and I, but I learned plenty of points on respect and obedience that summer, and on being both patient and humble. I did make one of my first mistakes fiscally there as well, and I seem to have yet to learn proper fiscal responsibility, though I have been getting better the past year and a half or so.

Bruce McCann

[Photo] Bruce is an interesting guy. A competitive downhill mountain biker. He dated my mom for a short period before getting her pregnant with Meghan. They married (eloped) and had Meghan out of wedlock. None of that really matters, but they're details. Bruce works as a security agent at ball-games around the city. Whether it be the Reds, Bengals, Jungle Kats, Bearcats, or Musketeers... he's usually there.

Donna McCann

[Photo] My mom. Gotta lover her. She went through all kind of crap with my dad, worked long hard hours to build a better life for my sister and myself not able to spend an abundance of time with us, and usually abrupt with us, he had a difficult time. Neither Stephanie nor myself have ever truly given her credit for the fantastic job she did raising us. We had a lot of trials through the years, and I think my mom did a great job despite the odds against her with the personalities Stephanie and I had at the time.

Meghan McCann

[Photo] This cute little bundle is four years old now. A little spoiled because that's the way Bruce likes it, I think she'll grow up well. Meghan just needs the best people around her and I'm sure she'll grow into a fantastic intelligent woman. She's an attention monger just like my mom and Stephanie, but she shows an amazing aptitude towards learning. If she can couple that with patience she'll be able to grow quickly, and she'll go far. Meghan and I are almost twenty years apart in age.


Others

Bill Davanzo

Bill is the manager of the AppleStore locations in Cincinnati and in Columbus. Bill is partly the reason I was hired for the CIncinnati store. I had visited the opening of the Columbus store just a couple weeks prior to my interview and was third in line out of close to seven hundred people on that cold September day in 2001 (I think it was the 8th or 9th). Tony and I had waited overnight for the event (I had to talk him into that). I arrived at my interview in jeans wearing my tee-shirt from the Columbus opening. It demonstrated my enthusiasm for Apple, but at the time I had assumed the managers knew Apple's culture and history which I wouldn't learn for a few years was an incorrect assumption and a very risky move on my part.

Charles Beech

CJB is my boss at Trivantis currently. He's the CEO of the company, among others and has a packed schedule. He seems to truly value my opinions and the directions I feel Trivantis is leaning and is actually taking them into account when making his decisions on where to lead us next. I don't know if he is open to the though of grooming me for the role he currently plays at the company but it's certainly something I feel I'd like to take on.

Gordon Havens

Gordon is one of the coolest and oddest people in the world at the same time. A skinny little man devoted to the Christian God who was a major part of my life growing up. Gordon currently participates as a major player in Cincinnati's CityCure organization and runs a group of Christian inner city youth rappers called The God Squad.

Joshua Reed Giddings

JRG and I have never met. In fact, if we had I would be very very worried. He died in 1864. The year before the American Civil War ended and his dream of the Abolition of Slavery was realized. He wasn't alone. Many great American civic leaders fought for abolition. But it was a hard road. Unlike many abolitionists JRG was for full and equal rights, having read into the Constitution in ways America wouldn't understand until after the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's. JRG's political views were steadfast and strong. He remained the only civic personality the Southern Democrats wouldn't lambast in session because they knew he would take them to task for it. My hope is to follow his footsteps, and do for education in Cincinnati and in America what he did for Abolition. It's going to be a long hard battle, but it's in my blood.

Ron Johnson

"Ron Jon" and I met once. Ever so briefly. As the man Apple brought in to be VP of their Retail division he held more than my job in his hands, he held Apple's future. Apple retail has followed a sometimes convoluted path to get where they are. Constantly experimenting with new ideas, they often miss the ball on things right in front of their faces and end up implementing haphazard solutions too late. Ron Johnson has a brilliant mind, and a huge pocketbook (thanks to Apple), I hope he can keep a steady stream of innovation in the retail chain. Nonetheless, Ron Jon has shown me as many things 'not' to do as he has the opposite.

Steve Jobs

Steve and I have never met. And I assume we're rather unlikely to ever meet. Regardless he has been a large factor in my life. His vision and ability to see future trends easily is paramount to Apple's success in any endeavor they may take. It's his energy for getting things done, intolerance for doing an inadequate job and his fervor in seeking to do what's right for both customers and Apple that I have fallen in love with. His dark and twisty past aside, I think Steve is a great man and a fantastic leader.

Steve Wozniak

Steve and I met at AppleVention 2001 at Northern Kentucky University. A small convention sponsored by the AppleSiders user group. Steve spoke about his experiences, his past, the growth of Apple, his retirement from Apple and his new venture "Wheels of Zeus", a small company dealing in wireless technologies. Steve's ability to instantly understand technology and see new ways to use it is unfathomable. His imprint on me is lasting. I would love to have his skills and his mindset.

Timothy Loudermilk

Tim brought me to Trivantis to do technical support work in the Company's Support division. He stole me from Apple as someone I assume he felt to be knowledgeable and who enjoyed technology and worked well with people. I have retained those skills and I hope to improve them as well as build onto new skills.