[Rockhounds] It's Aaron

[Lawrence Rush]

Hello, Aaron:

I'm sure most of us on this list were influenced by an event in our
youth, maybe at the age you are now, which caused us to be involved with 
rocks,
minerals, or fossils later on.

In my case, I saw a piece of Pyrite in a stone driveway in my home town,
rushed home with it, sure it was Gold, and was hooked! When I was selected
to be the science teacher in my high school "Student Day", I chose to talk
about minerals! It forced me to study them on my own.

This led to a degree in Geology and a life-time of collecting, leading me
all over the country on mineral-related ventures. I have been to some 
wonderful
places, had terrific times, made great friends, and accumulated lots of nice
specimens.

(see...  http://myminerals.homestead.com/  )

I am now old enough to give advice unasked (and usually unwanted), and I
would suggest to you to..

Above all...BE CURIOUS! Constantly ask questions of anyone near you about 
what natural phenomena you are looking at. Look it up on the web, in the 
encyclopedia, at the library. Never stop wondering and being amazed at what 
Nature has given us.
We are extremely lucky to be living in a beautiful world of fabulous natural 
wonders! Don't take them for granted, learn and appreciate. It will serve 
you well no matter what area you decide to specialize in.

Best of luck......Larry