Mighty Pen – Musings & Spilled Words

About the Author

I make my living as a Systems Engineer/Administrator, having worked for companies including Mergenthaler Linotype, IBM, Comcast and Computer Sciences Corporation. I was an Operations Manager for a Philadelphia health system, and I owned and managed ThinkTech Design, a web design and hosting business. It’s been around 45 years of working with the best people, on some of the most challenging projects imaginable.

Working in the Technology sector seemed to be the perfect choice for a geeky kid, who was always teased about the thick lensed glasses I wore, and who spent all of his allowance building audio equipment and computers. Those early days as a kid were not the kindest days for me, but I thank God for where those experiences brought me.

I began writing poetry in junior high school, mostly as a way to bring the non-geeky me to the surface, thinking it might enhance my social appeal. I guess it worked, as I later married the girl who was my muse. Unfortunately it didn’t last.

My writing took on a more serious tone when I began helping people at my Church who were facing various consumer related issues. For them I took on the role of mediator, and became a consumer ombudsman. The writing was mostly legalistic, and it was the only writing that brought me no joy at all. It was sad and draining of spirit to untwist and throw light on the dark misdeeds of twisted, mean and underhanded individuals and companies. When the simplicity of my written arguments were not enough to pierce the sickened hearts of the offenders, I stood in the gap for those I represented, and read my words aloud in Court, and allowed God’s judgment to fill the silence. I never lost a case, but I lost a piece of me with every battle.

Time has passed. I am older and perhaps a little shorter. I married again, and this time it is lasting. She creates beautiful illustrations, and I help to give her illustrations words and life. What we have is all that I have ever wanted. I have my Tech. Career, and I can write the words that bring joy and happiness.

But dark clouds still visit us, so clearly I have a few more dragons to slay before I sleep.