David Scott Strain

I'm a retired Info Tech (IT) executive who has traveled the world and seen many things. Past lives include bouncing through Fortune 500 employment (Young & Rubicam; Burson-Marsteller...); large government agencies (think Pentagon, TS clearance, etc. - plus, I'm a Vet - U.S. Army); and major non-profits (Food Processors Association; AAUW...). No one can legitimately say they've "seen it all," but I've seen a hell of a lot.

I've always been creative, and interested in the creative arts, but just recently tried my hand at fiction for the first time with my book, "The Grim Grind of Life: A PI's Strange Bounces through a Surfeit of Eateries, Juke Joints, and Dark Doorways."

Earlier, my writing was confined to IT and business plans and policies - with one exception. I wrote a business-technology management guide (I.T. WARS) and self-published it in 2006. It became an MBA-text at University of Wisconsin and several other schools. That was a very rewarding experience. I did a local television interview (DC Metro area), a few in-store book signings, and gave talks for large professional groups and various universities. I've also done occasional technical, paid, blogging/articles.

"The Grim Grind..." reflects a life well-lived, or ill-spent, depending on one's view and overall exercise of life. I survived a catastrophic car accident five years ago (I was not at fault), and suffered a broken back, sternum, ribs, arm, and wrist. I tore my bladder, was concussed, and in a coma when found. I was not expected to make it off the operating table. Upon awakening days later, I was told I'd likely never walk again. I said, "Watch me." The doctor actually bristled. As you may imagine, I go my own way, don't do much looking back, and seek like-minded people who are not afraid to be themselves.

I walk. I lift free-weights (something I've done since age 23). I bike. Lastly, for anyone interested, I love music: Jazz (be bop; scat; Afro-Cuban; select-Big Band; West Coast Cool; early small group combo, other stuff), Blues (the raw, early, stuff), Rock (too many qualifications to list), early (authentic) Country, some Folk, and other stuff so long as it has heart. You might not know it to look at me, but I dig Funk and Soul in a major way... think the classics, but also the stuff off the beaten track - some of it obscure enough such that its accessibility only exists through 45rpm records. And, I harbor a deep and abiding love of Classical.

I hope you follow Jack Trey's case in "The Grim Grind...". You'll enjoy it.