Introduction

This page contains answers to questions I’m thinking someone may want answered as they begin to know me. It’s not my life story. I want the bulk of information you learn about me to come from posts. I have created this page as an FAQ about me, because I don’t like rambling on about myself. Also, I think it’s an easier, quicker way for you to learn a little about me.

Table of Contents

Why should I care what you think about politics?
Do you have any political experience?
How would you describe your political beliefs?
What is your level of education?
Have you worked as a lawyer?
What are some of the events that have influenced your political views?

Are you really blind?

Are you adopted?

Where were you raised?
Where do you live?

Are you married?
What are some of your interests?
Do you have a good story for me?

Political Questions

Why should I care what you think about politics?

If you’re a new visitor to this site, you shouldn’t automatically care what I think about politics. All I want is the chance to demonstrate to you that my commitment to accurately and concisely deliver interesting content is true.

Do you have any political experience?

After college, I interned in Senator Ron Wyden’s DC office. During law school, I interned in the Massachusetts House Counsel’s Office.

How would you describe your political views?

Since I started this site, my political views have become even more progressive. At this point, I can honestly say I’m a socialist. While I’m a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, I’m not a fan of political parties, especially America’s two-party system.

What is your level of education?

I graduated from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts.

Have you worked as a lawyer?

There was a time when I would have hated answering this question. Simply writing down the answer would have embarrassed me and led me to feeling a deep shame that negatively affected me in ways I hid from for years.

The sad reality is that roughly 70% of blind people are unemployed. Most of the blind people working traditional jobs are underemployed. There are almost no blind people in positions of leadership outside of the disability field.

Answering this question felt right. I have learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses. I have forgiven myself for the times I allowed discrimination to create fear and negativity. Everything that has happened to me is why I’m here now.

Today, I work for the City of Portland, Oregon on compliance with Title II of the Americans With Disabilities Act. While it’s not traditional lawyer work, my knowledge of the law is certainly helping me do my job.

Previously, I worked for the American Bar Association in Washington, DC.

What are some of the events that influenced your political beliefs?

My journey from being a Republican when I went to college to becoming a socialist has been an interesting one. The main driver behind my constant leftward pull has been the discrimination I have personally faced and the discrimination I have seen others face.

The early realization and the eventual acceptance of the fact that I would never be too popular made it easy for me to develop a strong sense of skepticism and a deep desire to seek truth. When you’re freed from worrying about fitting in, you have the chance to question the dogma that is so often accepted by those who constitute the popular cliques.

Personal Questions

Are you really blind?

I was born totally blind. For more information about my blindness, visit the Questions About my Blindness page.

Are you adopted?

I was adopted. I put that here because my adoption, the search for my birthmother, and my experiences with our family have been major parts of my life.

Where were you raised?

I was born in Portland, Oregon. I was adopted to a family in Winchester, Massachusetts. Winchester was my home until I went to college at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Where do you live?

I live in Portland, Oregon. I moved to Oregon in November of 2011 to be closer to Mom and Aunt Barb. The cheaper cost of living compared to that in the Bay Area of California, where I previously lived, was a selling point as well.

Are you married?

I am totally single. I would like to be married, but I won’t settle. I love the direction my life is taking. I will find someone who makes the good thing I’ve got going way better.

What are some of your interests?

I love learning, sharing, and laughing. There’s a reason that’s the tagline for this site.

I always have a book going.

I’m a huge sports fan. Baseball is my favorite sport. The Atlanta baseball team, I won’t use their racist name, became my favorite team because their games were on TBS all the time when I was a kid.

All animals are great. The most popular posts on this site have been about my relationship with Ufi, my former guide dog, and his battle with cancer.

With Ufi having recently died and Emma having been gone for nearly a year, we only have Scorpio and Mr. Rogers left. I can’t imagine a life without animals.

As I write this it’s August 23, 2020. Today is the 73rd consecutive day I have met my exercise goals. Obviously, I’ve got more work to do, but I’m proud of where I am now.

Following current events is important to me.

I’m a technology nerd. In October of 2015, I became an Apple certified support professional.

Writing is now something I love. Someday I will publish a novel.

Do you have a funny story for me?

When I was five years old, I attended a summer camp for blind or visually impaired kids. My first night there, they told us we were having chicken. I took a big bite of the chicken and froze. It wasn’t chicken.

Having learned it wasn’t right to spit food out at the table, I forced myself to swallow the thing that wasn’t chicken. Once it was down, I stopped eating. Drinking milk was bad enough. I wasn’t eating that stuff too.

One of the counselors kept asking me why I wasn’t eating. He kept telling me the chicken was good. Eventually, I tried another bite. It still sucked.

When I refused to eat more of the stuff, he said I wouldn’t get dessert. That made me mad. I grabbed the thing from my plate and yelled, “This chicken’s fake!” While he started on me for my tone of voice, I threw the thing as hard as I could. At least it didn’t hit anyone.

When I got home, my parents told me the camp was vegetarian. The chicken had been fake.

I assure you I’ve grown a lot since that night. I’ve even enjoyed some vegetarian “meat.”