So you want know all about me, do ya? Here goes...
I was born in Orange City, Iowa, in between blizzards, on January 14, 1970. I
grew up on a farm two miles south of town, and attended the public school. After
graduating in 1988, I went to Northwestern College here in town. I graduated
from NWC in 1992 with a double major in Computer Science and English; And yes, I
barely made it in four years with that kind of course load. I went to the
University of Iowa for two years and picked up a Masters degree in Comp Sci,
although I don't know if it was really worth it. After UI I went to Chicago and
for two and a half years I managed the LAN at an electrical generating station
for ComEd (the area's electric utility).
As nice as Chicago was, I was anxious to get back to this area, so I bid farewell at the end of 1996 and moved back home to Orange City. I'm living in Orange City, and I have a job here at NWC working with the academic side of the Computing Services. I'm also trying to write a book and become a world famous novelist, but I've found that I have no discipline when comes to writing. I guess I am, at heart, an essayist. I'm now taking classes toward a degree in Chemistry, after finishing the coursework for a degree in Religion. I have earned my 3rd degree Black Belt in the American Taekwondo Association, and am a certified instructor.
In 2006 I purchased the acreage from my parents, and in 2007 I did a major home improvement, including new windows, siding, doors, and a heat pump, as well as replacing that scary old fuse box in the basement with nice big breaker panel. Still lots to do, but it's a good start. The first winter in the place was pretty uncomfortable; this winter was much better, even with the record-breaking cold we had.
My parents are Dennis Beltman and Dawn Vant Hul, and I have two brothers, Tom and Dan. Tom died in 1995; Dan is happily married to Krisy Krantz and living in Alton with their children Kylie, Connor, and Maci Joy. Mom and Dad have a cat, Clarabelle (5 bonus points if you can guess where we came up with that name), living in the entry/basement of our house, and she delievered four kittens on May 1, 1999. The kids are named Linus, Duffy, Georgie, and Lucy. Linus is my buddy, currently residing at my house. (For the record, his name has more to do with Peanuts than penguins.)