I was born in Lihue, Hawaii (on the island of Kauai). It seemed like a good place to be born, because Mom was there at the time. I've been back to Kauai a couple of times, but I don't remember it from childhood: my parents moved back to California before I started school.

I lived in various and sundry places in Central and Southern California. I went to school through my BSc there. I got my Master's in Kansas. I work in biotech.

I acquired an MRS as well as an MSc. We were married five years, until work took us to widely separated cities. The enforced separation and some personal pressures made us decide to part while we were still friends. We remain friends.

Why do I write? I write for many reasons: for work, for entertainment (of myself and others), and for insight (into myself and others). I especially like writing satire, but I'm working on writing other stuff, too.

Interests
Music. If I could make a career out of playing english horn (and oboe...), I would. I play a few other winds, but english horn is my One True Love. Well, it is when I have a working reed... damned overpriced duck calls...

I have other interests: I enjoy cooking and fusion cuisines. I like geology a lot. I'm a voracious reader. Finally, I enjoy playing with yeasts: brewing good beer and cider, making good bread. One day I want to try wine making.

Favorite Books
The Fall of Giants ,
The Name of the Rose ,
Cryptonomicon ,
The Baroque Cycle ,
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (all five books in the trilogy),
The Heart of the Comet ,
Brightness Reef .

Favorite Authors
In alphabetical order: Douglas Adams, David Brin, Arthur Clarke, Carl Hiassen, Ken Follett, Neal Stephenson. (This is a partial listing only!)

Favorite Movies
Dr. Strangelove (Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb).
Barry Lyndon
My Favorite Year
Almost anything by Mel Brooks, but especially Young Frankenstein (Twelve Chairs is one exception, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights is a partial exception.)
Almost anything by Kevin Smith but especially Dogma.

Favorite TV Shows
I mostly watch VOD, a very little broadcast stuff (news, mostly). I'm currently following Person of Interest, and Big Bang Theory.

Favorite Music
Composers:

Beethoven:
Violin Concerto,
Missa Solemnis,
Emperor Piano Concerto,
Any odd numbered symphony (or even number, for that matter).

Hanson:
Merry Mount
Sinfonia Sacra
Symphony #2 (Romantic)

Mozart:
Horn Concertos,
The Magic Flute,
Don Juan,
The Marriage of Figaro.

Sibelius:
Symphonies 2 and 7,
Violin Concerto,
The Swan of Tuonela,
Valse Triste.

Vaughn-Williams:
Dona Nobis Pacem,
London Symphony,
Sinfonia Antarctica.

Players
WAM (Western Art Music, a/k/a Classical)
Hillary Hahn, Nadia Salerno-Sonnenberg, (Nigel) Kennedy, Yoyo Ma.

Jazz
Thelonius Monk, Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, John Lewis, Oscar Peterson.

Folk
Pete Seeger (solo/Weavers/Almanac Singers), Phil Ochs, Peter, Paul & Mary.