User:NinaOdell/More about me

Hi!

My user name is Nina, and it's my real name as well. Nina means "gorgeous" in Persian, but I'm not Persian. I'm actually half black, half white.

My birthday is May 1, 1967. May 1 is International Worker's Day and Beltaine in the pagan tradition. I know a lot about International Worker's Day, but not as much about Beltaine (I read about it, but forgot it all).

My birthday was at the start of what's called the "Summer of Love", which originated out of San Francisco and spread outward in 1967. Several historical things happened during that year. Check it out on Wikipedia!

I was born and raised in Champaign-Urbana in Illinois. I'm a true mid-westerner through and through:). I'm proud of the people of Illinois and my prairie heritage. Illinoisians are overwhelmingly tolerant, compassionate, straight-forward people. It's a soft "s" at the end of Illinois, by the way.

"Chambana" is home to the U of I, CERL, and ILLIAC. I was around for ILLIAC IV; I even saw it once in the attic of CERL. I used to hang out on PLATO all day - it was open 24 hours! I was on it back in 1980 - message boards and chat don't look much different than today! I used to play Empire, but I sucked at it.

Though I don't usually edit articles related to this, I'm extremely passionate about all forms of music. Other people like this and that; I like it all, as long as it's good - and most of it's good. At various times in my life music has been my drug, my lover, my friend, and my solace. Music has literally and figuratively saved my life on several occasions; if you're in a state, I'm confident that music can save your life as well.

I've been a practicing Nichiren Buddhist for 14 years, and received my Gohonzon February 27, 1993. I believe in the sanctity of all faiths, and do my best to defend all religious articles on the English Wikipedia from bias and lack of quality. Someday soon I will edit article relating to my own faith for neutrality. Neutrality lends credibility, and is also something I strongly believe in.

Free speech is important to me, which is why I've recently taken several articles related to alternative sexuality "under my wing". I consider myself an ally/member of the Queer community. It's important to me that all articles related to queer-ness are neutral and well written. I am against judging anyone based on their sexuality or sexual practices as long as it's consensual and reasonably adult.

I don't know any other languages, but I know English pretty darn good;). If you ever need help with newly translated articles on English Wikipedia (or on any other Wiki), I'm your girl! I'm particularly interested in any topics relating to Human rights struggles.

I've been editing on the English Wikipedia for three months. There are a lot of things to learn, but I'm on every day learning more and more. It's my favorite hobby, and I feel I'm making a difference.

Sincerely, NinaOdell | Talk 16:24, 14 January 2007 (UTC)