An Introduction

This summer I am going to turn 44. I have a 6 year-old son (Ethan) and a 34 year-old husband (Joel). We live in St. John's in Portland, Oregon in the first house we ever bought - we've been here about a year a half. We also have a cat named Mary that we inherited from neighbors a few years ago. No idea how old she is, but she is the most fabulous cat.

I am the Director of Communications at AHA International, a study abroad program provider. AHA is a program of the UO and we send about 1,200 college students abroad each year. Interesting work, great mission, lots of creativity and lots of travel. In fact, at times, too much travel - with a 6 year-old at home. But, you do what you need to in order to take care of the people you love.

Joel is currently a stay-at-home-dad now that summer is here and kindergarten is pretty much over. I'm not sure what else one can do. Someone has to stay home or it's crazy expensive camps and daycare for three months straight. So, he does what he needs to in order to support the people he loves. Gotta love the lack of support for families in this country.

I also play in an improv rock band, Canoofle. It's a blast. I love playing with this group of crazy, creative, intense, odd, funny musicians. It was always my dream to be in a band, but I never pursued it. I didn't think I could do it - and look here I am finally doing it.

I worked as an actor, director and script-writer for most of my professional life until Joel and I had Ethan and we realized that poverty wasn't going to work anymore. So, then came the "real job" with benefits and stability and a salary. I'm not complaining, I'm just saying - gotta love the American Dream.

I'm thinking this blog will be a chronicle of events as I head in to what is likely to be the literal mid-point of my life. I have a sense that there is a shift coming. No idea where it will lead, as usual, but it will most certainly be a ride. I have had many in these 43+ years and there is certainly more to come.