Here is my (very late, I know) intro;
My name is Julie Zeppieri (say that 3 times fast, Gary) ;), and I used to
be a regular contributor to this here list -- then I "lost" my modem and
got cut off for 7 weeks and am just now caught up and back in the fray. As
one of the first active females on the list (I think Effie Howe was
*the* first?), I sometimes go by the handle "big barrimundi," and love to
mix it up w/ all you little fish when your testosterone gets the better of
you. <wink> Luckily, there are several of us top fish swimming in this
here pond now. <g> As Peter Unmuck's girlfriend, and a friend of
Roostah's, I have learned to appreciate the occaisional underhanded jab
(in jest, of course) at those foolish enough to set themselves up for it,
but I am usually much, much nicer about it than Peter. Well, except for
that last on towards Alan, anyway. ;)
In addition to being foolish enough to publically admit to being the
Umarcked's (nice one, Rob) squeeze, I am also a true fish addict; I have
no life. I work in a large (but NOT a chain thank you) pet store in Tempe,
AZ, USA (near Phoenix) where I play w/ about 150 aquaria of various sizes,
plus feeders and a small pond. Is it a good place to buy rainbows? No. Go
through the RSG, ANGFA NA, IRG (for you, Harro), etc. members and you'll
get the best 'bows possible. I don't own the place, so can't spend the $
the way I'd like to. Them's the breaks. We do try to have an interesting
selection, and, despite the fact that we are near a large college campus
and therefore have WAY too many aggro Afreakin' Chicklets and Central
American Commando-fish, we carry a lot of plants and a steady trickle of
neat oddballs. Personally, in addition to the sahul fishies, I also like
the Corys, Loricariids, and the more peaceable South American and
Tanganyikan (the wussier the better) cichlids. Oh yeah. And Anabantoids,
mastacembelid eels, and a bunch of other things I'll probably think of
later. I agree w/ Alex's tag line, except for the bit about the butter.
;) And plants. Lots of plants.
At home, I have about 40 (37??) aquariums (no fish room, mind you --
someday...) a cat and 2 dogs. My roommate has another 8 or 10 tanks, a
devil-kitten, and a dog. The bathroom is the only room uncorrupted, and
there are even some outside (Arizona, remember?). ;) As I said, an
addict.
Hobbies? Other than fish, you mean? Reading (fish and non-fish lit, but
never enough time), hiking (but no one I know goes, so it's been ages),
snorkelling (my mom lives in Puerto Rico, hehehe), cooking (but then I eat
it, and I am a good cook...), travelling (almost ALWAYS fish-related),
good conversation (ditto), and this computer here, which I missed dearly
and spend way too much time on despite the fact that I am basically comp.
illiterate. (Whew!)
My first aquarium was bought for me when I was about 18 months old, and I
was caring for it by the time I was about 6. A 20 happened on my 8th
birthday, with several more down the line. I have sinced amassed about 24
years or so as a fishkeeper, and another 6 or so in the retail trade. I
was born mid-1960s and grew up in Silicon Valley/Bay Area, CA. Lived for
about 6 years in southern New England (CT/RI, USA), and then came to this
Hell hole a little over a year ago. Am a member of RSG, and the Tropical
Fish Soc of Rhode Island -- an excellent club. Also a member of the local
club here -- NOT! (a good club that is; it is a desert, you know). Working
on membership to ANGFA NA, as well as getting a better club going
hereabouts. Also still working on the degree; don't even get me started...
I, too, consider myself to be "single," and if there are any studly
fisho-types lurking out there, I may yet be saved the social pariah of
being the Upchuck's, I mean Unmack's, girlfriend. <g> ;) Just so long as I
can put what I want into the fridge/freezer, that is.
Julie <><