Automobiles

My love for four wheeled vehicles started with Christmas gift of an AutoCycle (modeled by my little sister & a cousin).  I bought my first real car (1934 Plymouth Sedan) when I was 14 1/2 years old for an exorbitant price of $35 cash.  Go to my Photo Gallery to see all of the cars that I have owned, cherished and regret selling.

http://www.automobilemag.com/index.html

http://www.bmwusa.com/Default.aspx

http://www.porsche.com/

http://www.bmwblog.com/2008/04/27/bmw-m1-hommage-revealed/ - My ultimate dream car!

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/16/view/3084/bmw-gina-light-visionary-model-concept-car.html

- My mind-bending design dream car - must see video at the bottom of the web page!

Computer-Related Activities

I acquired my first IBM PC in 1984 and haven't looked backward since then.  My work is mostly computer related.  I use Architectural Desktop 2005 fluently (and am learning AutoCAD Architecture 2009 & Revit Architecture 2009) to produce contract documentation for architectural construction drawings.  I also integrate Adobe Photoshop CS2, CorelDRAW X3 Graphics Suite and Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro along with Microsoft Office into my architectural endeavors as needed or desired. I am currently getting into web site design and always publish my own greeting cards.

Photography

I bought my first camera, an Argus, prior to going on my Senior High School Trip.  I love photography, be it family gatherings or scenics or architectural photography.  With the new tiny digital cameras and phones with cameras, i am constantly snapping shots of things of interest.  Adobe Photoshop CS2 allows me to manipulate images into my wildest dreams or just correcting exposure or perspective or anything not to my liking.

Cats

I was born and raised in a dog house (that sounds funny), or should I say a household with dogs - a black Cocker, a white and tan Springer mix and toy Poodles inherited from my aunt.  In college, the girl that I was dating brought home a kitten and I was converted.  I like dogs but love cats.  I currently have two cats, Bailey & Emily.  See them in my Photo Gallery.

http://www.sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home_page  (San Diego)

http://www.hsus.org/  (National)

World Experiences

In 1979, I was asked by my employer if I would be interested in going to Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to represent the San Diego architectural firm of Hope/VTN in Contract Administration for a project that I had been working on for many months in the home office.  I agreed to do a three month stint as a trial.  At the end of the trial period, I signed a contract for 18 months.  The work in Riyadh was challenging and exciting; I interfaced daily with contractors from South Korea, Europe, the United States and Saudi Arabia and representatives of various Saudi ministries.

Saudi Driver's License

During the 18 months, I was allowed a two week vacation every three months; I was given the equivalent of a roundtrip ticket between Riyadh & London.  During these vacations, I visited Greece, Italy, Spain, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg, Liechtenstein, Kenya, Egypt, India, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, The Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand (both islands) and Fiji.

Just months before the fall of the USSR. I visited Leningrad- St. Petersburg and Moscow in the middle of winter.  I hope to return someday during the spring months.