Welcome to my personal data section!

Don't you love the personal data section? It's where we get to talk about our favorite subjects, ourselves. I'll try to keep it brief.

I live in Northern California but spent most of my years in Southern California. I am a native Californian, for what that's worth (higher taxes, outrageous license plate renewal fees, etc.). Really though, I do love it here but I also find a certain amount of enjoyment in complaining about the above so I'm sure I will continue to do so. I recently became one of the few, the proud, the elite, the foolhardy - people that own a home in Northern California. We have the very unique distinction of paying the same price for a little two bedroom home that others would pay for a 2,500 square foot, 5 bedroom house with a pool in other areas of the country. Oh well, if it is not destroyed by earthquake, flood or fire - it could be a good investment. Here are some pics.

I work for Sun Microsystems as an Escalation Manager. I'm in the computer field and continually take classes to hone my skills as any other computer professional does. If I wanted a career to be lazy in, I certainly picked the wrong one. I started out in my idealistic youth wanting to be a sociologist but my peers talked me out of that one. They convinced me I was doomed to a life in poverty if I went into the social sciences. Well, I'm in a lucrative field but am still doomed to a life of poverty due to the cost of living in good 'ole California. Ah well, we all make our choices, eh? I know that I would be too much of a whiner to live in a cold, less expensive area of the country. So, for me and my fellow human beings, I remain in California.

I am in recovery. You name the program, I should probably be there. Seriously though, I have been clean and sober since December 25, 1989 and I have to say that it's probably the smartest, most loving thing I ever did for myself. I've really enjoyed walking through this world with a level of clarity I never understood before. I don't preach program but I most definitely believe in what AA (etc.) has to offer and I've seen what it has done for people's lives as well as my own. One of the most surprising things I found is that my sense of humor is just as warped sober as it was drinking. Oh well, guess I no longer have anything to blame my behavior on. Damn!

My girlfriend Julie and I have been together for just about 4 years now. Despite a 12 year age difference (she's younger), it seems to work. She keeps me laughing on a regular basis and I'm very happy she's in my life. She has a 12 year old son that lives with his father during the school year. He visits us in the summers and other holidays. I never had any children. My kids have always had four legs. Currently, there is one daughter of the canine species, my hound girl Haley and a daughter of the reptile variety, an iguana named Emily. We also call her psycho lizard as she is a bit paranoid. I would probably have many more "children" if my dog wasn't so jealous. Some people have rules about animals not being on the furniture (Hi Mom). My rule is that they must get on the furniture. I've also owned two horses and will not rest until I own another one. My horse of choice is a quarter horse. They are great.

I've done scads of volunteer work. I used to think I should start a Volunteer's Anonymous group. I would literally have to sit on my hands when I would go to some function that was asking for volunteers. I've been involved in AIDS, been co-chair of SF Gay Pride Celebration, Rodeo Committee, women's cancer - you name it. I think there are lots of worthy causes out there and it has enriched my life to help them out. My latest pet cause is organ donation. I mean really, what are you going to do with them when you're dead? If they can save someone's life, don't you think you'd feel pretty good about it?

If I had the perfect way to spend my free time, it would be traveling. I grew up traveling so the seed was planted long ago. As a teenager I lived in Taiwan and as a young child, I lived in Cuba. I wouldn't trade those experiences for the world and my goal is to visit as many countries as I can before exiting this earth.

I'm pretty much a homebody. I just love being home and playing on my computer or working on some kind of project. In my youth I felt like I couldn't stop moving, like I was always searching for something. I have to say, I'm happy those days are over. They were exhausting.

I did say this would be short, didn't I? Okay, I'll stop now. If something fascinating happens, I'll be sure to share it with you. Thanks for visiting!