I really don't feel comfortable talking about myself. I'm usually very happy just doing things that (I hope) make a difference behind the scenes. But I feel like it's important to take this opportunity to let people know who I am and why I'm here. Who knows? I might make new friends.

I probably represent a lot of you, even though few might wish to admit it. Although my Mac has become an invaluable tool, my computer skill level is very basic. It helps me organize my thoughts and ideas. Before I had a computer I had trouble writing long term papers and letters. Luckily, I was introduced to personal computers at a very early age and at just the right time.

I have a learning disability and have been accused of thinking outside the box. I loved Apple's "Think Different" ad campaign. It spoke to me. I was born in Brooklyn, New York. I was the middle child of three children and the only girl. My mother was an artist and is now an antiques dealer. My father is a physical chemist/inventor. I grew up in that part of middle class suburbia known as Moorestown, New Jersey. It's not far from Philadelphia and close enough to the University of Pennsylvania, where my Dad was a professor.

I like art and reading, and especially enjoy making my own art. In high school I must have belonged to every creative club there was. I wrote, illustrated and sold ads for the yearbook and for Nutshell, the school's literary magazine; painted murals with the student art council; built sets and props for the drama club; took pictures with the photo club; and was even the Manager of the school store (where I got out of homeroom and got to boss my little brother around. Hee, hee.) Not bad for a kid with a learning disability. I guess I had to prove something.

Aside from my high school activities, I still occupied my time with art. I had many advanced placement classes and Independent Study in Art. I took classes at the Cheltenham Center for the Arts and Perkins Center for the Arts in Moorestown (where I went back to teach a class.) I took Saturday classes at Tyler School of Art, and eventually went there for college, earning a BFA in Metals (a.k.a. Jewelry).

I also really like computers. My first computer was an Apple ///. Some time during high school my brother and I saw a sales rep at Apple giving a demo of their new computer, the Macintosh. When we got home, we told Dad how cool it was and how much we wanted one. Dad got a really great deal and came home with an Apple ///. A far cry from a Mac, but I loved it.

I didn't get my first Mac until I was in college. First I got Marc; then we got a Mac. If you read Marc's column last month, you know how he got his first Mac. Well, that was my first Mac, too. In fact, It was more my Mac than his. He actually considered buying a PC jr. because it had color and was cheaper. I told him, "Either the PC or me!" That set him straight. He got a Mac SE. [Ah yes, I remember it well. - Marc] With our educational discount, we only paid $1,500. One month later the Mac Classic was introduced for $500 less. First the Apple ///, then the Mac Classic. I was not having much luck, purchasing-wise. But, I still love Apple and don't regret my decision.

During a chance encounter with Todd Salkovitz, he explained that we would have known about the Mac Classic if we were in a user group. We joined MacBUS right away, in the Spring of 187.

MacBUS had just lost their newsletter editor, so Marc stepped in to save the day. Sound familiar? I was his assistant editor. I remember helping staple, fold, label, stamp and mail almost 200 newsletters a month. (Three cheers for PDF!)

My biggest contribution to MacBUS would have to be a trade show called GC3. I thought we should attend that show. It was very last minute, so the Board was doubtful. They didn't want more work. They said, "Go for it. But even if we do get in, who are we going to get to man the booth for three days?" I called the show organizers and asked for space and they said yes. Then I called every member of the group (no e-mail back then!) and asked for a little time from each of them. We went to the show, manned the booth and gained dozens of new members. The next year when the show returned, there was a waiting list of members to sign up as volunteers.

I went to seminars at the Apple Marketing Center that used to be downtown and met even more great Mac people. I went to plenty of trade shows, getting lots of software and "chatchkas" for the group to raffle. And that's the story of how I got started with computers and user groups.

I still create art every day. Lately, I've been doing art projects with "at risk" kids at the church up the street and at the local city recreation center. I try to get the kids excited about art and computers. It's fun and rewarding. We've helped build the computer lab in the church and we're giving one to the recreation center soon.

Art-wise, I've apprenticed with Gloria Alford, a paper artist in California, and taken photographs for many non-profit organizations, including MLMUG. I was an interior designer/ painter for a Victorian Inn in Cape May, New Jersey, and I've worked with the Wilson Art Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. My work has been cited for excellence in various regional shows. That said, I make my living as an Antique Dealer.

Some of my other interests are:
Reading - I always have a book with me [Always! - Marc] and have been known to read on amusement rides. We belong to Friends of the Free Library, and we re helping them with fundraising.

Flea Markets - If the sun comes up before you get there, you're too late. All the good stuff is in the sellers' cars. It never makes it to the table. My advice: Shop while they're unpacking.

Movies - We belong to a movie club and see about 15 free preview screenings a month.

There's more to tell, but no more space. (And my husband, the editor won't give me any more.) Here are some things to pique your interest My California family knows Woz. My older brother was born in Japan and now lives in the Netherlands. My younger brother works for scifi.com. I've met Andy Warhol and Peter Max. My cousin is a film maker living and working in Germany. I love animals. I speak fluent Hindi. One of these is not true.

— Mallory Gerber