People always ask about me and I always type in the same boring story so I'm going to simplify the WHOLE process! So here goes...

Birth
My name is Shane Kelvin McNeill, at least that's what Mama told me. She also told me I was born at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska on August 29, 1975. I mean, my goodness! Who else am I to believe besides my mother? Luckily, Mama didn't have to tell me about the rest of my life. I experienced it on my own.... I think. Well, I did have a little help but that's another story.

I ended up in Alabama after my dad retired from the Air Force. Too bad my two brothers and my sister had to come along. I actually had to share bedrooms and all that kind of stuff for a long time. That wasn't fun. My two brothers are both older than me which left me the little one of the pack. I used my sister as my punching bag but since she was a girl, I couldn't beat up on her too much. Daddy always got in the way... I never could figure out why!

Diagnosed With Scoliosis
When I was in the eight and ninth grades, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, a curvature of the spine. I didn't think much of it at first but thought a lot about it soon enough. Within six months, I had an appointment in Greenville, South Carolina at the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children. I had two metal rods placed in my back on October 17, 1989. That was the day before the big San Francisco earthquake. I can remember waking up and the nurse turning on the TV. The first thing I saw were pictures of the collapsed freeway.

Believe it or not, the two weeks I stayed in that hospital were really exciting! I met dozens of people, one of which is my best friend, Amber. I finally got to see her once again after seven long years of writing one another. I will never forget the Shriners either. The organization is one who cares about everyone and not just the children. I didn't pay one cent for my surgery, it was all done by the Shriners. If you ever consider giving money to an organization, give it to the Shriners Hospitals. The work they do is extraordinary! I will forever be grateful to that group of people!

From High School to First Job
I graduated from Lawrence County High School in Moulton, Alabama in May of 1993. Boy, was I glad to be out of there! High school was a drag and still is a drag. Trust me, I've been back, only this time as a substitute teacher. I never could figure out why I wanted to go back. I guess because it paid a little money. And I mean 'little' in a literal sense. My old math teacher talked me into it and I gave in. Actually, it wasn't bad at all.

As bad as I hate to admit it, not everything was bad in high school. I did get into the Student Government when I got elected President. That was a joke but I didn't let the students know that! We had a lot of fun trying to produce a video that is still uncompleted and probably always will be. Who knows? I might get around to doing it one day. I hope to finish it before my ten year reunion.

While in high school, and even a little after high school, I worked at a video store where I met zillions of people. After that job fizzled, I tutored high school students for the remainder of the school year. Not long after that, I started work at a printing press. I worked there for about 8 months or so until a big company decided to quit using that press. Lay off! Well, the same day I got laid off, I got an interview at a radio station for a disc jockey job.

My Favorite Job - At the Radio Station
I've always loved country music so the job was perfect! Since that March of 1995, I've been there learning more and more about the country music business from the songs to the artists to the record labels. The business is not always a friendly atmosphere as some people think. I know I thought so for a while but it didn't take long for me to find out different. The most fun part of the job is getting to talk to the people calling and requesting songs. Jeff Foxworthy knows exactly what a redneck is! Sometimes I think he used to work at WXKI!

I Got my Bachelor's Degree!
I worked at the radio station through my college years at the University of Alabama in Huntsville where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. That was a tough process but I made it. There were times that I came close to changing my mind but I struggled through it with help from some awesome friends and wonderful instructors. I graduated UAH in December of 1997 and pursued the seemingly neverending job search.

During my last few months in college, I worked with a surveyor doing lot and construction surveys. I always enjoyed seeing plans for new restaurants and houses long before they were finished. Bob, the guy I worked for, is a total nut and I have no idea how I survived traveling with the guy. Staying between the lines has no meaning to him but with God's help, I'm still here today!

My First Professional Job
The neverending job search and working with insane Bob went on until March 1998 when Johnny Ozier offered me a job at his company in downtown Huntsville. I worked for him 8 days until the results from a physical came back. The results came back declaring my back disability and how I am not supposed to lift more than 50 pounds. Because of this restriction, OMI, Inc. and I parted ways. Worrying was the last thing on my mind. God provides in mysterious ways. Even though I already interviewed for Intergraph Corporation in February, I finally got offered that job about 3 weeks later. I started Intergraph in the certification department where I tested software. InRoads is a very popular software package to Departments of Transportation across the USA and around the world. Some of you may use it now! I am very fortunate to be working with Intergraph. Since moving from the certification department to the marketing department, I am traveling around the nation meeting customers who use the software to design bridges, freeways, subdivisions, and much more.

In case you're wondering, I didn't resign from the radio station until September of 1999. Does that tell you how much I loved that job? It just became unbearable to continue working weekends with a full-time job. I figure that a year and a half is enough and that I should use that time for rest and to pursue other lifetime objectives.

Melody Comes Into My Life
A few years ago, I met someone after a Clay Walker concert. It wasn't until only a few months ago before Melody and I talked again but this time, we set a date to eat lunch together. We did and then continued to date. Melody is truly a blessing to me and I cherish her very much. For one, she's let me continue to maintain this web site. Two, she does a FANTASTIC job of washing clothes, cooking dinner, and giving me a hard time. You can't beat that!

The Future - White House?
My next ventures are undetermined. I still enjoy maintaining this website and listening to country music. Photography is a hobby and you will see plenty of it here on the web. What happens after this, I'm not sure but I do know that I will never be bored again. Remember that appetite for developing? That's my goal that I'm working on now so if you're looking for a cozy place to build a house in North Alabama, email me. I'll save the spot for you!

Thank you for visiting In Pictures and taking your time to read this. There is so much on the web that it is just amazing you even got here. And if you're elgible to vote in 2012, be sure to cast your vote for Shane K. McNeill for President of the United States! Due to age, that'll be the earliest I can run. Meet you at the White House!