About
This portion is my personal information, about my life, my family, my thoughts, my travels.
First I must say to you all, please excuse the color scheme. I am color-blind. I try and get my wife to look at this, but she is just as busy as I am, so bare with me on the color issue.
Secondly and most importantly, the war dead tally. I served in the US Army and want everyone who visits my site to see what the hell is going on in Iraq. Whether or not your support the war, our young men and women are dieing and it is a travesty of justice to allow this to continue. I am not going to debate this with anyone. If you don't agree that is your right as is it my right to disagree with the foreign policy of this government.
Who is Barry?
I was born and raised in Iowa. Joined the US Army right out of high school and was stationed in Germany for 3 years. After Germany I was stationed stateside and that was the end of the military for me. I had decided that I really liked Europe and so, I moved back, but this time to Sweden. I lived in Sweden for almost 8 years.
Sweden was where the fascination with reptiles began. At the same time as my reptile interests were growing I was also a full-time student at the University of Kristianstad and University of Lund. While attending both universities I studied political science and Asian studies. 2003 was time to make a change, better or worse can be definitely debated. I moved back to Iowa.
Moving back to the USA was of emotional necessity. My parents still lived here, couldn't talk them into moving to Sweden, so I wanted to be close to them again. Funny how that works out, when your 16-17 you want nothing to do with them, but give it that many more years and you want to be around them and spend time with them! Hmm.
Anyway, I moved back and landed in the Corridor of Iowa. This is the stretch of highway, I-380, between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City. Nice area to live in, except one thing. There seems to be a lack of interest in serious reptile keeping. There is a few hobbyist, but so far I have yet to meet any serious turtle or snake keepers. In Europe it was totally different. If you were into reptiles, everybody in the area knew who you were, what you had, and most of the reptile people were involved in one of the reptile societies. Not here in the Corridor. It seems to be dead. So if you are out there, drop me a line.
My reptile interest!
Well, I have been keeping and breeding reptiles for close to 10 years. Actually, the first species I ever bred was Geoemyda spengleri.
more later.
My pooches!
Her name is Daisy, she is a Maltese and just over a year old. She was looking for a mate, and I we found her one. His name is Duke Donald and he is a little terror! Not really, he just is very high strung and loves to run and play. This has been a long winter (2008) with him being cooped up inside all the time. He loves to run and chase the squirrels and rabbits in the yard!
Duke as a little guy!
Duke and Daisy after meeting the first time. Notice the tongues hanging out after a nice run around the yard.
Duke and Daisy
Duke, the Poop Man!
Coralville Dam 05-28-06
Everyone
is responsible for everything happening on earth.
- Fjodor Dostojevskij