25 Things About Me

1.) Though I intellectually respect other cultures, and have had friends of many races: racist stereotypes still run through my heads. For example, if I disagree with a white professor's point, I just disagree. But if the professor's black, I can't stop the thought that he's inferior from popping into my head. But I reject it.

2.) I've been with 30+ women but have had only one real relationship: I realize that's not good and am re-evaluating. In my defense, it often wasn't my choice.

3.) I read Robinson Crusoe at 11 and The Count of Monte Cristo at 12; I recommend the latter

4.) When I was a professor in Thailand, there was a pond with coy fish. One was bright yellow and I enjoyed feeding him every day, though they all benefitted. I think I liked him because a Japanese painting my grandfather gave me(by dying) has a yellow coy. Anyway, one day the fish just dissappeared.

5.) At Pelican Elementary School, the librarian Linda Joliff encouraged my reading and made me feel valuable. A lot of the other kids, and teachers like Mr. Wehr or Justin Fay who stopped being my best friend because I didn't take to Nike and track, did not. But I forgive.

6.) In the 6th grade, I was suspended from Riverside Elementary for a bag of weed(all these little kids that dressed like gangstas had never actually seen it, and went and told their parents.) I tried to beat up the main snitch, Damon, the next year but foolishly wore Birkenstoks. If the fight hadn't been broken up so fast, I'm 100% he would have ended on the floor(though he was tougher than I expected.) As it was, he being the quarterback, people played it up like I got schooled.

7.) Also in the 6th grade, Eric Beekman(on my friend's list,) demolished that snob Alex Casey in the 100 meter dash at Districts. Eric being a friend of mine and a poor long-haired toker, it made a big impression on me. I took third in the 400, Eric taking first.

8.) In high school, I often skipped class to hang out at Ashurst used books, read, and talk with Aaron(a scholar and a gentleman.) I disliked regular school so much I didn't even apply for college. But I ran out of options and went to S.O.U.

9.) In my senior year, I had a LOT of money in the bank and hadn't had a girlfriend since junior high. I tried to talk Chelsea Tower, an incredible "white trash" beauty, into running away to Hawaii with me. She chose some typical low-life redneck kid instead.

10.) Quality organic coffee is essential for me: I hate Folgers, etc. I mix it with milk and Ghiradelli cocoa. Cheap beer or whisky on the other hand, doesn't bother me.

11.) I've never started a fist-fight, never truly lost one, but now carry tear-gas to prevent them all together. I recommend it highly.

12.) When guilty and dealing with police, remember that they can't search locked compartments like the trunk without a warrant, ever. And they usually don't have the time to waste. "I do not consent to this search," is the phrase. If it turns into an interrogation, DON'T talk to them. Cops write down only what they want to, and miscontrue it, too.

13.) Should you ever end up in jail, know you're supposed to pack your things in your pillow-case; Wait to talk and hit back till you're bailed out. Prisoners I've known have been a lot more decent than you'd expect. If you put enough physical distance between yourself and minor state charges(say drug dealing,) they'll NEVER pay to bring you back and then support you, especially if you're say in Hawaii. I know this from friends, not personal experience. I knew a Greek guy who punched a cop in New York City(during a peace protest,) came to Oregon and got caught. New York wouldn't pay for his transfer so they held him the allowed week and let him go.

14.) I volunteered door to door for the Kerry campaign, was very disillusioned when Bush won again. His foreign policy was leading the world toward apocalypse, in my view. Now I don't believe in democracy; that's not a pose.

15.) Some of my best memories are of barbecuing with my Dad, drinking Scotch whisky against the Klamath cold, smoking Macanudo cigars. He's always been open to my ideas and inspirations.

16.) In Thailand, I used a lot of music in the classroom. I'd put the lyrics on the over-head and play John Lennon, Jonny Lang, The Grateful Dead, and Cat Stevens. His "morning has broken" was the big favorite.

17.) Also in Thailand, I wore an ivory necklace in the shape of a fang(made from an elephant who died naturally): I identified with elephants. They're peaceful, cooperative, and intelligent. But you don't want to push them too far. When I flew back, I had to leave my talisman because it was illegal. Mai pen rai

18.) I used to watch a lot of FRIENDS: I love the theme song. It's B- stuff but for some reason I enjoy it. Other than that, I love to watch tennis(Hewitt and Nadal are my favorites.)

19.) There are a number of celebrities I want to hang out with. A few are: Lleyton Hewitt, Sheryl Crow(talented and beautiful,) Alanis Morisette, Donovan, Jonny Lang, Willie Nelson, Frank McCourt, Mos Def, Francis Cobain, Cat Stevens(Yusuf Islam,) Robert Redford, Jakob Dylan(only if he'd take acid with me, LOL,) and Alicia Silverstone but not because of her acting talent. This isn't in order

20.) Once, to post new poems online, I wandered Medford with my lap-top testing place after place. Eventually, I laid down on the concrete next to a housing division with a full connection and typed up my poems, one being: "An Ode to a Cigarette"

21.) I love doing karaoke. I practice though and put my own spin on the songs. I think of it as practicing to cover them. My reportoire includes "Truckin," "Hotel California," "Roadhouse Blues" by The Doors, "Sugar Magnolia," and "If it makes you happy" by Sheryl Crow.

22.) My mom was born on the Cherokee reservation: She's mostly a brit, though, named Howard... descended from Henry Howard if you take my word for it; Don't mind if you don't.

23.) My dad is all Swedish; My grandpa, the well-known architect, came here as a stowaway

24.) I've written hundreds of on-line pieces, letters to editors, articles, and publsihed three books. I'm recording my vocals daily, part of my long-planned album.

25.) I think that individuals are only important if they uplift others. Besides, nothing truly great ever happened without teamwork.