I am a retired general building contractor, though I still work part time as a handyman and as a consultant on an occasional larger project. I owned a fairly successful contracting business for twenty-five years and became knowledgeable in most of the building trades. The majority of our projects were residential remodels and additions though a third was public buildings such as schools and fire stations. I studied geophysics at University of California. Though I did not choose it for my career, I have maintained a lifelong interest in all sciences and read avidly. I play the electric bass and I enjoy a wide range of genres from jazz to heavy metal. I have been in a couple of working bands. When I can I like to get outdoors, hiking, backpacking and river rafting. I much prefer sitting around a campfire to watching TV, an invention I consider a mixed blessing at best. I enjoy a wide range of additional hobbies and interests and I love trying new things.