Hello From Chicago

Hello! I am happy to leave the ranks of lurkers and join the Forum. As an introduction, here is a little bit about me:

How long have I been a stamp collector?
I have been collecting stamps since my pre-teen years in the early 1970's. My mom had collected stamps since she was young, and I fondly remember sitting with her at the kitchen table as she helped me identify stamps (many taken from her own old album) to be placed in my shiny new Traveler album.

What do I like about stamps?
I have always been excited about geography and learning about the world, and I think that is one of the best aspects of having a stamp collection. I also enjoy the beauty of stamps (by the way, "Collecting by Engraver" is one of my favorite threads on SCF). I am a big fan of engraved bi-colors.

What stamps do I collect?
I have just returned to collecting again, and I happily collect worldwide. I am not trying for completeness or expecting to fill a Scott International through 1940 (although I really admire the people who do), nor am I much of an expert or postal historian (although I appreciate their research). I also collect topicals/thematics, most recently nature and conservation subjects.

Why did I join the Stamp Community Forum?
As mentioned, I have already learned much just by lurking. I hope now to join some discussions, have some fun, acquire some stamps, and make some new friends.

Thanks for reading,
Kevin

Welcome, Kevin! You forgot to answer one question: Cubs or White Sox??

Thanks for the welcome, Zuzu!

Answer: White Sox

...and I was born on the Southside.

Some of my best friends, though, are Cub fans (and I did mention that I was here to make friends, didn't I?)

<---- Cubs fan, but I guess I won't rescind my welcome.