´óÏó´«Ã½

I have lived in Portland, OR in the US since the spring of 1979. In the early 60's I came to Portland to attend Reed College where I earned a degree in History. I am now a retired civil servant; having worked for the State of Oregon Health Division's Center for Health Statistics for 12+ years. I have an ongoing interest in public health in particular and interests in many aspects of politics and culture, particularly as "an intellectual historian" watching ideas and language change and evolve.

Portland, OR was demographically "the whitest city" in the US until just recently when we became second. We are considered an excellent test market for new products. Parts of a poem of mine state: "this small, small town that calls itself "The City of Roses" // "liberty, justice and equality" stored right next door in the neighbors' garage/We have never been here before. We are not here yet."

I am very critical of my town, of its affluence and its reluctance to commit to real social change. There is a lot of talking. An example from last night's news is that the Mayor will not fully fund the program for bicycles and bike riders but does have money for more of his "visioning" project.

What little routine I have now is built around WHYS. I listen in my home. I manage two chronic diseases: diabetes and a psychiatric diagnosis. A daily routine is especially important for me to manage the diabetes. I am working with a Jungian analyst. I am always waiting to write "the next poem." (I earned an MA in Poetry from San Francisco in the mid 70's and have published a collection titled Anima Speaking.) I have some activities in the community which concern being an advocate for public health, particularly mental health.

I listen to OPB - Oregon Public Broadcasting and usually keep ´óÏó´«Ã½ on during the night.

I am very supportive of WHYS and citizen interaction with world affairs. I get frustrated at times when I cannot understand all that is said which is why it is always helpful for the program people to repeat the meaning. Sometimes this is technology; sometimes it is the speaker.

I’m particularly interested in those stories which raise the larger questions of us all living in our world. I particularly like positive and inspiring stories; however I know that cannot always be the case. I am an optimist at heart.