User:VegitaU

Hello, this is my user page. I've been a registered user since 2005.

Please read my "Viewpoints and Philosophy" essay below if you feel I have unfairly treated your contributions. Feel free to contact me via talk page if you have some disagreement.

[edit] About me

I was born in Colombia and immigrated to America when I was three. Since then, I've lived mostly in Maryland. I served four years in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 2007. While serving, I spent four months performing non-combat duties in Iraq.

[edit] Interests

I enjoy both outdoor and indoor activities. Specifically, I like to hike, bike, camp, sightsee, backpack, run, and do other physical activities. I also enjoy just watching movies, writing stories, and (of course) editing Wikipedia.

[edit] Places I've visited

I enjoying seeing new sights. Here's a list of notable or memorable places I've lived in or been to (in no particular order):

• Gaithersburg, Maryland
• New York City
• Washington, D.C.
• Schaumburg, Illinois
• Chicago
• Tahlequah, Oklahoma
• San Antonio, Texas
• Biloxi, Mississippi
• Wichita Falls, Texas
• Hill Air Force Base
• Mortaritaville heh.
• Bogota, Colombia
• Tuluá
• Dinosaur, Colorado
• Kings Peak
• Phantom Ranch Yeah, I hiked it. No mules here
• Niagara Falls
• Toronto
• Bangor, Maine Very friendly people
• Al Udeid Air Base Nasty food
• Sun Valley, Idaho Road trip!
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park
• Glorieta, New Mexico
• Rock Creek Park We cleaned the pond
• Smith Island, Maryland Probably, the friendliest place in America and full of some of the greatest seafood cuisine in the world

[edit] Places I want to visit

And here are the places I would like to see (no particular order):

• Natashquan, Quebec
• Rocas Alijos
  Why would anyone want to go see some rocks?
• Sala y Gómez
• South Pole Preferably, would like to trek across Antarctica instead of being flown there
• North Pole Same as above, would like to snowshoe there
• Socotra
• Tristan da Cunha The world's most remote island
• Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
• Challenger Deep
• The USS Scorpion crash site
• Bikini Atoll

[edit] I would like to learn Japanese

I have bought various books and programs to try and learn Japanese, but unfortunately I've been lazy and haven't made much progress. Sarabada!

Personal Viewpoints and Philosophy on Wikipedia

First of all, I want to declare that I try to follow policies and guidelines to the letter. The most important one, in my opinion, is that all Wikipedia articles be written with a neutral point of view. This helps Wikipedia present a more professional and acceptable image to the rest of the online community. This is the primary policy in my opinion and subsequent policies fall under this one. The next two, of course, are the ones that keep new users motivated to edit Wikipedia and do not put them off from editing without fear: civility and no personal attacks. These two protect the environment that Wikipedia has set up by maintaining a level of decency and respect among disagreeing parties, even when dealing with hot topics. Editors should remember to keep a cool head if attacked, or if perceived to be under attack. The worst thing one can do, and something that may destroy the reputation of the encyclopedia, is to return a personal attack. Yes, sometimes it is very difficult, especially when someone has callously reverted a good faith edit. Yes, I'm guilty of this myself. Sometimes I mistake someone's genuine edit for nonsensical garbage, especially when the editor was too new to be properly adept with Wikipedia's editing guidelines. Some users may think that I am too argumentative... that I like to rush into articles like I own them when something has gone awry and immediately make my point to correct the errors. Let me just say that I do not own any of the articles I have contributed to. I maintain a ample watchlist in order to stave off vandalism, improve articles when I have new sources, or ensure that a legitimate change I've made to a page remains unchanged beyond policy and guideline; (i.e. that someone goes and reverts for no good reason). I have had an excellent experience with Wikipedia and continue to believe in its purpose of free information and open interpretation. Again, if you feel I have erred you in some way, feel free to post your grievances on my talk page and I will address them as soon as I can. Thanks!

Barnstars Earned

Did You Know? Notices

September 11, 2001 attacks