I was established in the early 1970s after a triplet farmboy from eastern Alberta met an aspiring bookkeeper at a New Westminster bowling alley. Fifty-some years on, I’m a husband, father, and teacher who spends way less time writing than he should.
From an early age, I was fascinated with words, their flexibility, and their power. My grandmother was from the English midlands, which gave me an ear for accents. To this day, I pronounce ‘schedule’ with a sh- sound in her honour. I’m faculty at Vancouver Community College, where I teach in the EAL Pathways program for new Canadians who are preparing for post-secondary study.
I have run two full marathons and 14 halfs. (Halves just doesn’t seem right in this sense, does it?) I, along with five of the überest mensches you’ll ever meet, am a Guiness World Record holder.
While I haven’t done nearly as much overseas exploration as I’d like — Japan and England being outliers in this regard — I’ve travelled extensively throughout Canada and the United States. Apologies are in order, I’m sure, for any dips and potholes that I’ve contributed to along the TransCanada and Yellowhead Highways.
I value lifelong learning, both in the world of academia and the venue of social change. I support local artists, regional farmers, and community-minded businesses. I try to act according to Dr Lynn Gehl’s Ally Bill of Responsibilities, and challenge others to do the same.