Hobbies and Interests

I enjoy singing, going to concerts (these days primarily classical choral music, such as the California Bach Society, Chanticleer, Magnificat, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, the Sanford Dole Ensemble, the San Francisco Bach Choir, the San Francisco Ballet, the San Francisco Opera, and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, and Soli Deo Gloria), listening to music (most forms, but primarily country/western, choral, guitar, opera, and New Age), watching episodes of Star Trek and other science-fiction space fantasies, and browsing the Web. My "consuming passion" is chocolate (all forms and all quantities!).
 

As a native of California, I'm a serious student of life in the Golden State. I've visited all 58 counties, for example. I'm a member of the California Historical Society, the California State Parks Foundation, the Sierra Club, and the Yosemite Fund.
 

The City is also a major interest. I enjoy exploring different areas on foot and have studied its history extensively. I'm a member of the California Academy of Sciences, the Fine Arts Museums, the Golden Gate National Park Association, Friends of KQED public television, San Francisco Beautiful, the San Francisco Historical Society, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library (City Guides), Friends of Recreation and Parks, and the San Francisco Zoological Society.
 

Since I now spend most of my weekends at my cabin above the Russian River in an area of Monte Rio known as The Terraces, I'm gaining a greater appreciation for less activity-oriented relaxation, such as hiking, jigsaw puzzles, movies, and cable television. I'm beginning to support various Sonoma county non-profits, such as the Pacific Coast Air Museum.  I use my spa nearly every evening to unwind from the workday. I've also received biweekly massage in the Rosen Method for over a decade.
 

Since the late 1970's I've had an interest in architectural preservation. I wrote the application that placed the sanctuary of St. Paulus Lutheran Church on the National Register of Historic Places, for example. But since that building burned to the ground in late 1995, my interest in architectural preservation has waned. I'm still dealing with the loss, emotionally. I'm a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and San Francisco Heritage.
 

I'm also a philatelist (stamp collector), altho that too is somewhat on hiatus. I collect Canada (mint singles, booklet panes, mini-sheets, and postal stationery) and bears on stamps (all forms). I'm a member of the American Philatelic Society, the American Topical Association, the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada, and the Friends of the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum.