Who is Jeremy?

Who is Jeremy? That's a great question! I will try to explain just who I am in this post, or at least try to give you a little more insight if nothing else.

I was raised on a farm in the country, but I am not what I would call a redneck! I don't listen to much country music, preferring rock and alternative, and have never driven a beat up pickup truck. Honestly, unless you need a big truck for work purposes, driving one just to drive it is one of my pet peeves. The thought of going mudding or tearing up the countryside with an atv, dirt bike, or snowmobile sounds like a terrible waste of time to me, not something fun in the least. These vehicles really should be banned from public land and restricted to private property. The ranchers and militants currently holed up at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge are terrorists, and should be treated as such. They give ranchers a bad name.

I consider myself to be an environmentalist, and a liberal Democrat. I have little patience for or tolerance of the right-wing conservative portion of our society, who seem determined to put the country and planet on a fast-track crash course with an oil and coal based death sentence. Most of the current candidates for the Republican presidential nomination are so out in right field that the thought of any of them being elected is terrifying. Donald Trump is one of the biggest imbeciles alive, and almost everything that comes out of his mouth is repugnant. The same can be said for Ted Cruz and James Inhofe. I also have little patience for organizations like The Heartland Institute, which are nothing more than shills for the Koch Brothers, the fossil fuel industry, and ultra-conservative right-wing so called Christian factions. I believe in the right to marry whoever you want, a woman's right to choose what to do with her body, and support the legalization of marijuana.

I believe that climate change is indeed one of the biggest threats facing us, and that if something is not done about it, we will face a very uncertain future as a species. I am a proud supporter of many different environmental and conservation organizations, including the controversial to some Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, even though supporting them is part of why I currently work 7 days a week. 

I have degrees in environmental biology and sustainable business. Some may call me a tree-hugger, which is fine with me, but I am not a vegan or vegetarian, and enjoy having meat as part of my diet. I abhor animal abuse, but I am not an animal rights activist. I have no problems with hunting, when it is used for subsistence or as a management tool, but killing something simply for the thrill or to add a trophy to your collection is not something I agree with. I hate poaching, and believe that the perpetrators should be tried the same way as murderers and terrorists.

I like birds and reptiles, rhinos and dinos. I love trees and mountains and the ocean, and am a huge advocate for marine life. However, I also believe in the sustainable use of natural resources, and don't think that development and the environment are in opposition to each other. Fossil fuels on the other hand need to be phased out and the rest left in the ground.

I am a big fan of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, and the movies Braveheart and Avatar are two of my all-time favorites. I like dragons, fantasy art, and mythology, and am a big fan of the medieval period. On the other hand, I think video games are generally stupid and a waste of time. I am a history buff and very into genealogy, and collect several things, including houseplants, coins, stamps, bottles, rocks/crystals, animal figurines, books, several types of art, fossils, and antiques. I have a bunch of pets, including birds, reptiles, fish, and a rabbit.

Forest green and black are my favorite colors. I greatly enjoy taking photos, hiking, traveling, visiting museums and lighthouses, and exploring cemeteries and historical sites, although time and money don't allow as much as I would like. My favorite foods are steak, seafood, and sushi, although I will try just about anything once. The Rocky coast of Maine is one of my favorite places to be, and I have had great visits to the island of Dominica and various parts of the Adirondacks and Catskills. Besides New York, I have also lived in Texas and Florida, and have worked as a zookeeper, biologist in the Everglades, pet store department manager, and environmental educator. I currently edit a kids nature magazine.

I was raised Protestant, and find religion fascinating, but I consider myself to be more spiritual than religious. I am extremely interested in the biblical history of the Middle East, but it has not resonated with me personally as a faith path for many years. I am very interested in the earth-based traditions and Eastern philosophies, but don't consider myself to be an active follower or practitioner of any specific path. The druid path resonates with me very strongly, and I am also very interested in Celtic and Norse culture, ancient Egypt, Asian culture, and the occult. Although I am neither Catholic nor Buddhist, I admire both Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama.

I spend a lot of my time alone (and have been single for much of my adult life) and am also somewhat lonely at times, but I prefer the company of animals to most people. I have never been a very social or outgoing person, and I have been under treatment for depression for many years, but those are not the only reasons for my somewhat self-imposed isolated existence. Many people simply annoy me, or I have trouble finding anything in common with them or relating to them. 

So, there you have it, Jeremy in a nutshell... Yes, there is more to me than can possibly be summed up here, but I think this at least gives a little better idea of who Jeremy is...