The background...
After
graduation, I attended Trenton State College (now: College of New
Jersey). 
I got into
a great fraternity which did wonders for my self esteem, and
simultaneously - serious
damage to my study habits and grades. After two years, I knew I needed
to either drop out or flunk out - so I joined the Navy.
After two
years of electronics school at Great Lakes, Il, and Mare Island, CA, I
was stationed on to the USS.
Columbus (CG-12), a part of the 6th
fleet, sailing in the Mediterranean. Those were great years and
although I'd never go back, I'd never trade those memories or
friendships for anything. I am still in touch to this day with
three of my closest friends, who
have stood by and supported me through all the subsequent changes.
After the
Navy, I returned to Trenton State - older and wiser - and graduated
with a major in Geography. I promptly headed west to Boise, Idaho (oh,
I was so naive!) in my MG-B, with my beagle (Chopper), skis, stereo,
and whatever else could be fit into an MG-B, with the goal of becoming (at least for a
while) a down-hill ski-bum. If you have ever been to Boise, you know
one thing it's not is a ski mecca!
When I got
to Boise, I discovered (to my horror!) that Boise is actually in the
middle of a freekin' desert, and there were bugs flying around the
size of dinner plates. (OK, I exaggerate a little - sorta). So my dog
and I looked at one another and decided "No Way" and started driving
west until Mt. Hood appeared on the horizon. Now THAT was what I
was looking for! I arrive in Portland in 1973 not
knowing soul, no where to stay, no job, a dog, and $52.00 in my
pocket. I can trace everything in my life back to that day.
After a year of getting my bearings in Portland, I entered Graduate
School at Portland State University in the Urban Studies Program. I
finished the program, but never my thesis. Took the first job I could
find - with Bonanza Homes, and landed up there for 18 yr as Service
Manager. One day I woke up and decided I no longer enjoyed what I was
doing and decided to strike out on my own.
In
1991, I
opened up a travel agency in
downtown Portland, specializing in travel
to the South Pacific, Corporate Travel, and Gay & Lesbian Travel. It was
during this period my love of the South Seas was cemented - I traveled
there as often as I could - Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Bora
Bora, Moorea,
The Cooks, Huahine, Raiatea, and Aitutaki.
The horrific events of 9/11 hit the travel industry hard, and were for
me a wake-up call that it was time to move on. So after 9 yrs of being
a small business owner, I re-entered the job market at an entry level
position with Schneider National - the largest freight hauler in the
U.S.
In
October of 2004, my company offered me a promotion and transfer to
Stockton Ca. It was a hard decision to leave Portland after 30+ years,
but it was an offer I just could not turn down <and heck, I love the
heat!>. So Keili & I packed out bags, and off we went! The new
job is going great, and I love the new place where I'm living, but
God! sure hate Stockton!
The big challenge has been getting acclimated to the much more
socially-conservative environs, as compared to what I had for 30
yrs in Portland. San Francisco may only be 80 miles away,
but Stockton is light years away in some respects.
Living
in Stockton has allowed me to enjoy more of the great outdoors, much
as I did when living in Oregon. Got in some great kayaking, including
the middle section of the South Fork of the American River . . . .
The next goal on
the horizon is retiring to Puerto Vallarta with Sergio in 2011. I've
been there twice - as a "tourista", but in December will be going back
to see it though the eyes as a possible retiree, and to meet his
family. . .
