Amici Con Coleotteri
Cerambycidae
Hey everybody,
Not sure how to start this but I will try to keep it light...
At a young age insects (well arthropods as a whole really) brought me great joy. I was fascinated with every find and excited to go out and find more. As I got older however, I began to feel they were of no use to me if I wanted to "grow up". My only real hero in the field was, and still is (although there are more now) David Attenborough, but I grew tired of the constant bullying I received because I was such a "creep" and "weirdo". Nobody ever came along to show me how vital my role could have been in the field, even my science teachers did little to encourage me, I didn't know entomology existed. Everyone thought they were creepy why would anyone or should I continue with them? By high school I was lost. I had taken to computers and was top of my class, but I hated it. Around this time I was diagnosed with depression among other things. I graduated and skipped college to work, what was I gonna go to college for anyway?! What began was a 14 year "career" working my butt off at various jobs that meant nothing more than a paycheck. My longest, was a 7 year stint building police cars...never liked cars...never liked electronics...hated the job. But as was the norm for me I excelled at it, getting a promotion after 5 months and 3 raises in my first year. I continued to thrive there but was inwardly so far gone, and began to sink deeper into depression, ultimately turning to drugs and alcohol. Needless to say I lost that job when my drinking got out of control. After that I bounced around from job to job...where do we go from here?
That's my dirt...sorry to put it out there but now to where the sun shines, bear with me please.
A couple months ago I came across bugsincyberspace.com...having some disposable income I decided it was time for a new pet, throughout those dark days I'd had various lizards etc... they kept me going. When my first order arrived the child inside me came back to life. I cried. Digging for information on my new little friends (my BDFs), I came across beetleforum. A lot of you seemed really thrilled about your bug friends to a level that most people find creepy (no offense guys). Maybe I was on to something. I joined, jumped in on a few conversations with what little I could say, and you all responded to me with so much warmth. Not only did I feel accepted, but it was acceptance into a world that I should have long been a part of...I'd been accepted into circles before, but always felt like an outsider and it was always trouble. Since coming to this site and joining, I have been able to remain sober. I've been occupying so much of my time reading all of your posts, doing some of my own research, hunting for bugs, and caring for my pet bugs; as well as occupying my mind so much with insects that I don't even think about drugs and alcohol. I finally feel happy...
...and I'm proud to say me and my pet bugs will soon be hitting the road with some shows to the local scouts in my area. I will also be working with local environmental groups with the goal of getting kids interested and educated. In the next few days I will be putting together a blog, so the kids can follow me and continue their interest in insects...here's where you all come in!
I would like to compile some photos/information from around the world of various insects, and I know you all have the goods. Primarily I'm looking for "backyard bugs" if you will, but also plan to have a section called "friends with beetles" where I welcome you to show off your larvae, beetles, pupae, whatever (just make sure all subjects are properly identified, as I am not good with classification and you guys are all so awesome
). It will all go through me as to not inundate the blog with too much for the kids. PM me for further contact information on the subject. Once up and running I will be doing contests and giveaways for things like picture of the week etc. that will be open to all of you, as well as contests that are scout only.
I will stop rambling...contact me if you're interested.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you all. You have all been an inspiration to me.
Not sure how to start this but I will try to keep it light...
At a young age insects (well arthropods as a whole really) brought me great joy. I was fascinated with every find and excited to go out and find more. As I got older however, I began to feel they were of no use to me if I wanted to "grow up". My only real hero in the field was, and still is (although there are more now) David Attenborough, but I grew tired of the constant bullying I received because I was such a "creep" and "weirdo". Nobody ever came along to show me how vital my role could have been in the field, even my science teachers did little to encourage me, I didn't know entomology existed. Everyone thought they were creepy why would anyone or should I continue with them? By high school I was lost. I had taken to computers and was top of my class, but I hated it. Around this time I was diagnosed with depression among other things. I graduated and skipped college to work, what was I gonna go to college for anyway?! What began was a 14 year "career" working my butt off at various jobs that meant nothing more than a paycheck. My longest, was a 7 year stint building police cars...never liked cars...never liked electronics...hated the job. But as was the norm for me I excelled at it, getting a promotion after 5 months and 3 raises in my first year. I continued to thrive there but was inwardly so far gone, and began to sink deeper into depression, ultimately turning to drugs and alcohol. Needless to say I lost that job when my drinking got out of control. After that I bounced around from job to job...where do we go from here?
That's my dirt...sorry to put it out there but now to where the sun shines, bear with me please.
A couple months ago I came across bugsincyberspace.com...having some disposable income I decided it was time for a new pet, throughout those dark days I'd had various lizards etc... they kept me going. When my first order arrived the child inside me came back to life. I cried. Digging for information on my new little friends (my BDFs), I came across beetleforum. A lot of you seemed really thrilled about your bug friends to a level that most people find creepy (no offense guys). Maybe I was on to something. I joined, jumped in on a few conversations with what little I could say, and you all responded to me with so much warmth. Not only did I feel accepted, but it was acceptance into a world that I should have long been a part of...I'd been accepted into circles before, but always felt like an outsider and it was always trouble. Since coming to this site and joining, I have been able to remain sober. I've been occupying so much of my time reading all of your posts, doing some of my own research, hunting for bugs, and caring for my pet bugs; as well as occupying my mind so much with insects that I don't even think about drugs and alcohol. I finally feel happy...
...and I'm proud to say me and my pet bugs will soon be hitting the road with some shows to the local scouts in my area. I will also be working with local environmental groups with the goal of getting kids interested and educated. In the next few days I will be putting together a blog, so the kids can follow me and continue their interest in insects...here's where you all come in!
I would like to compile some photos/information from around the world of various insects, and I know you all have the goods. Primarily I'm looking for "backyard bugs" if you will, but also plan to have a section called "friends with beetles" where I welcome you to show off your larvae, beetles, pupae, whatever (just make sure all subjects are properly identified, as I am not good with classification and you guys are all so awesome
I will stop rambling...contact me if you're interested.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you all. You have all been an inspiration to me.
