I started my first blog, on a hobby topic, back in 1995. Considering the HTML-based web was all shiny and new in 1994, this was an early start on blogging! I shut down that blog in the early 2000s, mostly because of an issue with the web host that left it offline for weeks until they fixed it.
For some, a blog is a way of selling something – their product or service or establishing a personal brand.
For me it is a diary of items I found interesting. As I explore topics, I jot down notes – which often turn into blog posts. By posting here, I can go back and find information on something I’ve learned about in the past. Consequently, this blog is more personal notes about topics, and a searchable database of items – I often search my own blog for references to something I wrote about, previously.
As of 2025, this blog is focusing more on adding historical context to popular social media memes. For example, in 2025, it’s popular to compare home prices of the past with homes prices in 2025 – but no one notes that homes in the 1960s or even ’70s, were half the size of today, had a 1 car garage and 1 bathroom. Today’s average new home is 2400 sq ft, 2 car garage and 2-3 bathrooms – and a lot more improvements. And surprisingly, costs more! The more I look at these comparisons – across many subjects – I see much misinformation. It’s become a hobby to research these false social media claims and try to explain the situation clearly in blog posts.
One of my other blogs, on 3D and photography, is a place for me to keep notes on, and possibly promote an interest in 3D photography and video. Another is on Travel and Global issues.
About Me
- I am recently retired from the computer industry.
- I did not graduate from high school (long story) … but I did go on to college – and paid for 100% of my college tuition, fees, books, etc, myself.
- I have a BS in computer science from the University of California, an MS in software engineering from Regis University (earned at age 54), and an MBA from Gonzaga University (age 41). I have additional graduate course work in medical informatics (Oregon Health and Science University) and computer security (University of Idaho) – with my additional credits adding up to roughly that of a 3rd Masters degree (but not taken as part of a degree program). As an undergraduate, I was 3 courses short of a 2nd degree,, a B.S. in Mathematics. As I was paying for my own education, I did not have the option to take an additional quarter to do that, which today is something I regret.
- In addition to working in industry (Silicon Valley startup, later Microsoft, Agilent Technologies, Vivato wireless and other firms), I did consulting work for small businesses, a native American tribal business development group, and taught dozens of university courses as an adjunct instructor.
- I am the author of a 11 books, mostly on computer topics.
- Due to my training, technical background and having written many technical books, I am detail oriented, which seems to bother some people who cannot handle details.
You can stop reading at this point. Since my life doesn’t really matter to anyone, you can skip these next section.
Hobbies
I have interests in aviation, RC model aircraft, ham radio, and amateur astronomy. I have a home built 14-foot hovercraft and a home built 10″ reflector telescope. I have an FAA private pilot’s certificate but no longer pilot aircraft.
Weird Things
- Have worked since age 10. Paid for 100% of my own college education.
- Missed almost 2 years of K-12 education due to illness, injuries, and leaving high school 1-year early to go directly to college (I don’t recommend doing this).
- I had a 5″ long skull fracture (TBI), plus 4 other concussions, I’ve been B-12 deficient, had a “silent” heart attack without classic symptoms or risk factors, and have had sepsis.
- The brain injury was never treated and I did know what a “TBI” was until my late 50s.
- I often refer to myself as a brain injured idiot – seems accurate and gets that out of the way up front.