GeoWoof

Why I Participate

The general complacency of the last couple decades makes me want to get involved. Yes, we're all busy, but that doesn't let us off the hook of engagement with the world around us. I believe that Causecast offers a fresh model that's tapping into an eager, energized membership, creating all sorts of new possibilities... and that's a fun ride so I'm choosing to hop aboard. They make it so that there’s no longer a viable reason to be a rebel without a cause.

About Me

I had the great fortune this past summer to take the lead in advocating for clean water. It didn't start out that way, but it grew into an unlikely and completely unreasonable venture that came to be known as The LA River Expedition, in which I took a dozen intrepid kayakers and canoeists down the full 51 miles of the LA River. Who knew that proving our notorious river was traditionally navigable could make a difference in setting a standard for the protection of waterways all across the country? I sure didn't. For the last 30 years, that protection was known as the Clean Water Act -- but since a 2006 Supreme Court decision, it has been significantly watered down. I learned that taking a leadership role can be a lonely, time consuming, money-sucking, utterly exhausting, faith-testing experience that, in hindsight, I will always cherish. When you get your chance to step up, you just have to take a deep breath and get in the game. My favorite inspirational story about this is "Bidder 70," when Tim DeChristopher showed up to protest the Bush Administration's public land giveaway in Utah, and found himself with a bidding paddle, buying up land to thwart companies from snatching our natural resources for practically nothing.

My Interest

Family, writing (all forms), kayaking & canoeing, tennis/racquetball/squash, baseball/softball, juggling, bicycling/unicycling, rockclimbing, camping, reading, genealogy, found object art, piano & saxophone, meditation, running & the very occasional triathlon.