Full Disclosure: I work for a news organization and I don’t actively follow the news. I am a media literacy educator at the local public media station KQED. I love my job and I’m proud of our hard working journalists covering the stories that matter for the Bay Area and beyond. But when I’m not…
Bucket List Achievement: The San Francisco Friday Night Skate!
For the past two years I have been trying to get up the courage to do the legendary San Francisco Friday Night Skate. Last night I finally did it… and I didn’t die! (I did fall a couple of times.) It was the 69th birthday of my friend and FNS organizer Lainie that got me…
“Of the Terrible Doubt of Appearances” (poem)
Of the Terrible Doubt of Appearances by Walt Whitman Of the terrible doubt of appearances,Of the uncertainty after all—that we may be deluded,That may-be reliance and hope are but speculations after all,That may-be identity beyond the grave is a beautiful fable only,May-be the things I perceive—the animals, plants, men, hills, shining and flowing waters,The skies…
RIP Rob Reich
Many of us in the local lindy hop, jazz, and circus scenes are devastated by sudden death of local musician Rob Reich last week. Rob was a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and bandleader who was well-loved by so many in the Bay Area. I didn’t know Rob well, but I always loved listening and dancing to his…
A Magical Visit to the Snoopy Home Ice Rink and the Charles M. Shultz Museum!
I can’t believe I’ve lived in the Bay Area this long and never been to the Peanut’s themed ice rink and museum in Santa Rosa. As someone who loves themed entertainment, and a skater, this is straight up my alley. Built in 1969 (the year of my birth!), Snoopy Home Ice was created by Charles…
Thoughts on Learning and Skating
Earlier this month, I led a “Rhythm Skate Teaser” at our local rink, which summarizes how I’ve been thinking about how to learn how to roller skate… and learning in general. It was such a great experience for me, and hopefully for the many folks that turned out. That night, I gave a broad overview…
The Voice (poem)
There is a voice inside of youthat whispers all day long,“I feel that this is right for me,I know that this is wrong.”No teacher, preacher, parent, friendor wise man can decidewhat’s right for you – just listen tothe voice that speaks inside. ― Shel Silverstein
Toy Train in a Tin
My new meditation practice.
Bucket List Complete: Visiting All the Disney Theme Parks!
February 2025 marks a huge bucket list I can check off: I’ve visited every Disney theme park on the planet! In case you don’t know, they are the following: Some people have asked me to rank my favorites. It’s tough. Several of them have special places in my heart. I would say it’s a tie…
Highlights from 2025 Tokyo Trip
Visiting Tokyo again last week was so dope! I spent the majority of my time in the Ueno / Akihabara sections of Tokyo this time, since those areas were new to me. It was a good choice. Ueno is most well known for its proximity to the massive Ueno Zoological Gardens, and the many museums,…