Ralph

I know this is long, but isn't the point for you to get to know me?!
I'm pretty much your typical guy. I like fast cars, fast motorcycles, flying planes and of course having a good time hanging out with friends and family. I have a lot of hobby's and interests, including photography, videography, cycling (road bikes), camping, rock climbing and rappelling, target shooting with my .40cal Glock, and drawing. I definitely spend more time doing some of these things than the others, but I try to always find time to enjoy each one as often as possible.
My wife, Joanie, and I were married in 2005. We've known each other for a long time. Although we knew each other long before, we didn't start dating until summer 1997.
I began serving in the US Air Force in Sept 1997 and separated in Sept 2001. I miss being in the AF. I had a lot of great experiences, great friends and really enjoyed the job I was doing. Of the 4 years I served, I spent the first year training at various bases across the country. The next 3 years I spent stationed at Robins AFB, GA, with the 99th Air Refueling Squadron. During that time I spent close to 600 days on the road flying and living out of my suitcase. I loved every minute of it!!!
My decision to not re-enlist was based mainly on my desire to finish my BS degree. I had completed my assoc degree prior to 1997 but had not been able to take any more classes while in the AF.
I have several friends who are still serving in the AF. Some have crosstrained to different jobs, while others have continued to do the jobs they enjoy so much. I have a lot of respect for them and the courage and commitment they exhibit by serving our country for so long and with such determination. So thanks to all of you and your families for your service.
Between 1997 and 2005, Joanie and I dated off and on. She finished her degree during that time and has been teaching for almost 7 years now. I'm very proud of her and the work she's done over the years. Not only is she a school teacher, but she has the added stress and work of being a Special Education teacher. In 2006 she started grad school to get her masters degree in counseling. She is really looking forward to finishing that and becoming a school counselor. Again, I'm very proud of her and how hard she is working to teach as well as go to school at the same time.
I have a fairly large extended family. My older brother has 3 kids, 2 boys and a girl. My mom has 2 younger sisters who each had 2 kids, one with 2 boys, the other a boy and a girl. My dad has a younger brother who has 2 boys also. So between the 3 sets of aunts/uncles, I have 5 boy cousins and 1 girl cousin. When you consider that my mom and dad each had several sets of aunts/uncles too, then the family tree branches out very quickly. Joanie has an older sister who just had her second son. There sure are a lot of boys in our family!!!
Joanie and I don't have any kids yet. I'll love any child I have, but I'm hoping for 2 boys. Call it tradition :) We're not planning to have children until after she's out of grad school at the earliest.
Like many pet owners, we consider ourselves "parents" already though. She brought two cats to the alter, and summr 2006 I finally followed through on my desire to have a dog. I grew up with a dog, two actually, at different times. The first was a pure Beagle named Christopher Columbus. My brother came up with that name, I was like 2 years old at the time. At the age of 4, we moved to Germany and had to give the dog to an uncle. When we moved to Michigan 3 years later, we got another dog. He was very white as a puppy and so my brother and I named him Snoopy. He was a Cocker Spaniel - Spitz mix. He lived to be almost 17 years old before we finally had to put him down because his quality of life was quickly deteriorating. That was around 1995, so I've been waiting quite some time now to get a dog of my own. Most of that wait was waiting for just the right dog to come along. I've been wanting a Beagle, a pure one. Well last year, 2006, just the right one did come along. He was about 4 or 5 months old at the time. I decided to get him, and then I had to name him. In honor of the dog I had for 16 years I decided to name him Snoopy Junior. The fact that he is a Beagle had nothing to do with his name, I swear!!!
And there you have it...all you ever wanted to know about me and, more than likely, more than you really wanted to know :)
I'm looking forward to getting to know many more people. Don't be a stranger and drop me a line.
additional stuff:
I love going for cruises in my Corvette or on my motorcycle. During Formula One season you'll find me every other weekend rooting for my longtime favorite team...McLaren. The drivers may change every few years, but I'll always remain a McLaren fan. Good luck to Kimi at Ferrari this year.