(updated in July 2025

1. Although I’ve spent most of my work life in information technology, my training is in German Studies, and contemporary German literature (well, what was contemporary back when I was studying in the ’70’s). Teaching at the University level is still the job I’ve loved most.

2. I have been involved in the so-called fiber arts for a long time Since retirement, I weave every day. I have, as many weavers do, many looms. My current principal loom is a Louet David II eight-shaft 40 inch floor loom, but I also have an 8 shaft 50cm  Louet Jane table loom, and more recently an AVL computer dobby loom, 16 shafts, 40 inches, with their E-Lift feature. Still learning to use that one. Back in the day (mid 70’s), I did a lot of sewing, including making myself a 3 piece suit.

3. One hobby is collecting clocks, pre-1920 wherever possible, of German/Austrian or Art Nouveau design. Nothing digital, please, that’s not a clock, that’s a chip on the wrist.

4. I also collect German Jugendstil pottery (aka steins, pitchers, and punch bowls), ditto from about 1900 to 1930. I have a few modern pieces, but mostly not. I don’t do character steins, I don’t do regimental, I don’t do Mettlach (but I have a few anyway).

5. I have a passion for cooking, especially Mediterranean and recently Indian. I have a spice drawer from Penzey’s that is deep and extensive.

6. My Myers-Briggs personality type is INTJ. I fight the J (judgmental) part (as it’s not considered nice), but find as I age that becomes increasing difficult.

7. I have bowled a perfect game (300) in league competition.

8. I have holed a 7 iron from 140 yards for an eagle, and my lowest golf score on my home course is 79 (but I’m not able to play anymore).

9. I lived for 2 1/2 years in total in West Berlin, before the Wall came down, and had a number of friends in Berlin (Hauptstadt) as East Berlin was known. I understand from a personal point of view the concept of Ostalgie.eh

10. I had polio as a child (2 1/2 when I contracted it). This was 5 years before the Salk vaccine became available.  At about the age of 48, I started to develop post polio symptoms. I returned to wearing a brace and using crutches in 1998 and was formally diagnosed in 2000. As the years have gone on, it has become worse, and the worsening has accelerated since turning 70. I am now in a motorized wheelchair (as of the last month) and expect to have to stop driving within the next month. You can imagine what I think of the anti-COVID vaccination crowd. In my view, failing to vaccinate children except for cogent medical reasons constitutes child abuse.

11. In January 2023,  I began to find it difficult to walk. Indeed controlling my legs, was becoming increasingly difficult and my lower extremities were becoming numb. When I spoke with my primary care physician in the second week of January, we agreed that I should stop driving because I had insufficient control to do so successfully. Towards the end of that month, it had gotten so bad that I needed hospitalization. I had almost no control over either leg. Doctors were unable to diagnose me successfully. They thought that the weakness was from post polio, and the numbness in my legs was due to my prediabetic condition.  after several months, I finally found a Doctor who was able to diagnose me correctly. I had something known as transverse myelitis.

After treatments physical therapy, and injections, I have recovered sufficiently that my life is much like my life was before the incident. However, I am now truly no longer able to walk much even with crutches. A walker will do for very short distances. I am able to drive, and have been certified by the state as able to do so., but my wife now does most of the driving.