About Kurt

The Shores of Lake Erie

Kurt was born on the shores of Lake Erie.

He has touched waves frozen in their curl.

He is tall, but he hopes to accomplish more in life than just that.

He will always be a Buckeye but he now calls Pennsylvania his home.

He loves his family.

He is a husband who owes his life to his wife.

He is the father of three. When his first child was born, he nearly passed out from fright. When his second child was born, he was stuck in Alaska desperately trying to get a flight out. When his third child was born, he was the one to deliver him.

He is certain that his children are the most creative and talented living beings on Earth, and, since he’s pretty sure life anywhere else is not quite as advanced as on Earth, that means his children are probably the most creative and talented living beings in all of the universe(s).

He couldn’t wait to graduate from high school so he could conquer the world.

He joined the Navy at eighteen and “retired” twenty years and four days later.

He learned much. He worked hard. He played hard…maybe he played too hard sometimes.

He was cooped up on Hawaii for a three-year Pearl Harbor tour of duty once, so afterward he drove cross country to his next duty station with his wife and two oldest children in a completely packed Ford Tracer. The daughter sat on the floor and drew pictures. The son sat in his car seat and pointed out the cows and the moon.

He stared down in awe at the beauty of the Grand Canyon. It was one of those times in his life when he wished he could fly.

He still remembers how he felt when driving through the understated beauty of the Smokey Mountains.

He believes each American and each person aspiring to become an American should be required to drive across the United States to witness firsthand its beauty and grandeur.

He loves his country.

He also loves Japan.

He regrets that, even though he feels almost Japanese himself, he has never really learned the language. Some day, perhaps.

He sometimes feels like Godzilla when walking within a crowd of Japanese in downtown Tokyo.

He has stared up in awe at the beauty of Mount Fuji. It was another one of those times in his life when he wished he could fly.  Someday he’ll climb that mountain.

He has soaked in an outdoor natural hot spring and drank cold beer with naked Japanese men and women while it snowed.

He has happily napped under a warm and cozy kotatsu.

He loves to travel.

He has sailed to many ports of call throughout the world and wishes he had taken more pictures and written more letters home.

He is a Trusty Shellback.

He has sailed through a Nor’easter on the North Sea and has taken refuge in the spectacular fjords of Norway.

He has sailed the choppy and chilly emerald waters of the English Channel and has seen the spectacular White Cliffs of Dover.

He has sailed the San Bernardino Strait while steaming to the Philippines and may have witnessed the most beautiful scenery he has ever seen.

He has seen a severed foot floating in a Sri Lankan harbor. [Which has since become the inspiration for this.)

He once walked on what he thought was the moon but soon realized it was actually somewhere in Oman.

He has seen Tomcats take off at night from the deck of aircraft carriers and then he has seen them land with a full moon rising on the ocean’s distant horizon.

He loves to eat.

He loves to eat with chop sticks.

He has eaten fish and chips in a hazy London pub.

He has eaten grass soup (at least that’s what it tasted like) on the floor in the small, bare home of a wonderful Thai family. An ornate picture of the king hung proudly on the wall.

He has eaten something in Hong Kong that may have been the best meal he has ever eaten but he has no idea what it was.

He has eaten spicy, very spicy, shark and sting ray in an outdoor cafe underneath an overpass during a muggy night in Singapore.

He has eaten beefsteak in a quaint Norwegian pub while serious looking Norwegians rolled their own cigarettes and drank strong beer.

He loves the Arts.

He loves good poetry but he has a hard time defining the characteristics of what good poetry is.

He knows it when he feels it.

He loves music like it’s nobody’s business. He loves Tom Waits, Beck, The Smiths, Jose Gonzalez, Sun Kil Moon, Tindersticks, Yo La Tengo, The Avett Brothers, The Doors, Nirvana, Modest Mouse, Vivaldi, Marilyn Manson, Chet Baker, Nine Inch Nails, Stan Getz, Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., Black Flag, Rollins Band, Eminem, Hole, Cake, Foo Fighters, Bob Seger, Blink 182, Rage Against the Machine, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Violent Femmes, and…you get the picture. He especially loves the Pandora app tunein app Apple Music Spotify app for his Blackberry Droid RAZR Droid RAZR MAXX GOOGLE PIXEL 2.

He loves language in all its forms.

He loves the English language; not because it is the only language he speaks, but because it is so expressive and quirky and confusing and, yes, he must admit since it is the only language he speaks, because it is so accessible.

He really doesn’t care if adverbs are supposed to be after verbs.

Well…maybe he does.

He loves books, even the boring ones. He thinks they look good on his bookshelves, both before and after they have been read.

He has just recently read his first e-book. It does not look quite as good on a bookshelf as does a p-book…which of course is, a physical book.

He tries to write but too often he just thinks about writing; though, he is getting close to finishing did eventually manage to finish his first novel.

He also published a collection of poetry entitled Poems from the River.

He loves the concept of Spirituality.

He believes in God but probably not in the way you would want him to.

He loves sports but he is a fan of Cleveland teams so he often seems bitter and disappointed and he is happy and oh so very relieved that the Cavs won the championship in 2016.

He loves politics…you know, acting for ugly people.

He is a disgruntled Independent.

He loves internetworking.

He spends much of his time online.

He spends used to spend way too much time on facebook.

He feels he is much friendlier and easier to be around online than he is in person.

He would rather write, type, tweet, or post how he feels than say it.

He loves Humor.

He loves to laugh, but you probably wouldn’t guess it about him.

He prefers to make a point through self-deprecating humor, especially those tougher points that deal with other people and may hurt feelings. He feels it is much safer to make fun of himself, and so easy to do since he’s such a bumbling dork, than to try to tap dance around other people’s emotions and feelings.

He enjoys communicating through sarcasm and satire. He really enjoys it, so please be wary and please be open minded (and thick-skinned).

He has found no other author who can make him laugh harder than David Sedaris can. Though, he does feel rather sorry for Sedaris’s family because he exploits and belittles them so much. When asked once if what he writes is really true, Sedaris’s response was, “true enough.”

He likes that response.

He recommends you keep that response, as well as this, in mind during your stay here.

He guarantees what he says on this About page is sincere and from the heart, but since he was born with his tongue permanently attached to his cheek, he cannot make that guarantee for any other page or post on this site.

He will leave it up to you to determine whether he is being serious, satirical, sarcastic, or all of the above, in regards to any of his writing anywhere else other than on this About page.

He fancies himself an EO and Human Relations guy, but he admits, after all his years of study and research, he still has a hard time figuring the damn human species out.

He believes that humans make it awfully hard for him to like them.

He still likes them, though; because, even while they’re driving him stupid crazy with all the stupid crazy stuff they do, they are also amazing him with their mind boggling genius and limitless compassion.

He is a firm believer that schadenfreude is inherent to human nature.

He feels that’s why he follows the news so closely…at least the bad news, anyway.

He feels that’s why the good news bores him.

He thinks he probably focuses on and worries about the negative side of life a bit too much.

He had leukemia once.

He is sure some might say that there’s a relationship between his affinity for the negative and his affliction with the cancer.

He is sure others might say there isn’t.

He is not sure who is right.

He is sure, though, that he overcame the disease by the grace of that infinite and inexplicable universal power supply we call God, with the help of lots of loving prayers and support by family and friends, and from the gift given by one truly amazing person—his bone marrow donor.

He still has a hard time believing that there is one person in this whole wide world who perfectly matches his bone marrow and who was willing to donate it to him to save his life.

He thinks his donor is a female from Germany. He now knows his donor is a female from New England.

He is looking forward to meeting her and thanking her some day.

He is looking forward to many things.

He is thankful to be able to continue to look forward.

He is as thankful to be able to have so much to look forward to as he is to have so much to look back on and be thankful for.

He is thankful to be a survivor.

He is thankful to have survived Nor’esterners, earthquakes, typhoons, Snowmaggedon, a Polar Vortex, an appendectomy, Lyme disease, leukemia, neuropathy, Cytomegalovirus, Graft Versus Host Disease, Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome, skin cancer, pulmonary effusion, pericardial effusion, heart failure, and having to watch hundreds thousands of chick flicks over the years with his lovely and loving wife.

He is thankful to you for stopping by and visiting with him here.

829 thoughts on “About Kurt”

  1. What an entertaining bio of you. Biographies tend to be dry and to the point. While reading this I smilled, laughed, my heart got warm and I realized that even though we’ve known each other since childhood, after reading this, I got to meet the man that you became.

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  3. I’m pretty sure I already like you, even as a p person! Do you have a post on your version of spirituality?

    Buckeye here, long-time Hawaii resident, world traveler as a child (does that count?), and a millennial spirit in the (unfortunate) age of the baby boomer (unfortunate, as in age, not necessarily baby boomer… but kinda)… I want stuff for free and I want to give stuff for free too. Thanks for checking out my blog.

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  5. I believe that I’ve just read the most interesting and entertaining about page that I’ve read thus far. Amazingly unique. Thanks for visiting and following The Vision of Poets, but mostly, thanks for introducing me to your most enlightening site.

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  9. Kurt, thanks for taking a moment and checking out what I’ve done via; ichas8440. Once, I was asked how I was doing. When they found out I did well they said they knew me and wanted to know why I left their city. Taking what I said about “their” city not being “friendly”, they concluded it was maybe me who wasn’t friendly. Funny how people assume. That’s when I told them I am very approachable as they could attest by how easily it was for them to… Approach and engage in casual convo. Communications, real simple. Listen, pay attention, consider if what is said has merit and. Add to the dish making up life. Hummm, I like what you’ve said in the “About” section of your site. I will probably check in here and there, just to see what you’ve been… Dining on. Again, thank you.

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  11. Wow Kurt, you have been through alot! Thanks for being part of my blog! I agree about Bob Seger — yes! By the way my wife had a blood cancer too, and had a bone marrow transplant! She is doing well now, but it was a long tough road for years. I wrote a poem about some of it. It should be in the archives, and is called “Courage Under Fire”.

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  13. Just stopping by to thank you for your recent follow on Shift Key and peruse your excellent site. Much to read. Your life experience brings much to the table.

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  15. Wow! Thanks for the follow Kurt! Means a lot with your experience, writing skills and outlook on life that you would choose to follow my writing. Enjoyed your bio, will read more of your work and do hope you enjoy mine. Cheers!

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  23. Kurt, how can I be original, when everyone before me used up all the original words?
    All I can do is be repetitive: Great stuff; love your About page; amazed at all you’ve been through; love your writing style; humorous; etc. How’s that? :-) I guess I wasn’t silent.

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  26. Love this brilliant bio! Totally unique. Well, I suppose all individuals are unique, but this bio/About page is uniquer than most. Than all…that is, all that I’ve read. I have to admit I haven’t read thousands, but I’ve certainly read a whole bunch. Wish I’d had the idea of doing it like this!… I take it the sketches are yours? Talented guy.

    Thanks for following my blog. I’m just about to click ‘follow’ for yours.

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  27. Thanks so much for checking out my blog and following. This is by far the best About page I’ve read. I look forward to reading more on your site. And, because you love music so much check out my 9/21 post or just put Marty O’Reilly and the Old Soul Orchestra into YouTube and check them out. All the best.

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  28. Hello Kurt, I always wondered if the things David Sedaris said about his family were true. I’m usually laughing so hard that I don’t think of it as being mean. Thanks for clearing that up and thanks for the follow. Best wishes in your writing career :)

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  29. Hi Kurt, thank you for stopping by and following my blog. I enjoyed reading your about us page, it so simple, and honest – feels like I have been listening to you talk while i was reading it. the illustrations alongside are neat too! Look forward to checking out your other posts.

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  30. Thanks so much for following my blog. I agree with many others that your autobiography (a.k.a. “about”) is very interesting–from a doubtlessly interesting person. Blessings!

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  34. Great bio, but have to put you straight….my kids are the most talented and beautiful in the Universe… I’m sure yours come a close second though ;-) Thanks for following me and leading me to this great site. I’m sure I’m going to be a regular visitor and will spread the word!!

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      1. Oh, I sit through many more (we’re talking exponential multiplication…) RangerRick flicks (there’s another name for it but it’s not my favorite word…). :) After watching about 10 violentexplosivebloody movies with him, he watched Divergent with me (which, I’ll admit, is extremely sappy). Afterwards, he said, “I guess I deserved that.” :) Next up, The Fault in Our Stars. Bwah ha ha ha

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  40. Hi, Ditto most of the above comments about your bio. And thank you for serving your country. My son spent three years in Okinawa (USMC) and loves Japan, too. And thanks for following my blog. So glad to meet you here, and I’m looking forward to reading more!

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  44. Well, you went and done it. You went and followed Uncle Bardie’s Stories & Such. You are now one of Uncle Bardie’s Band of Merry Followers. Just so you know, Uncle Bardie’s a hoot, and he’s got quite a few whoppers in his bag of stories. Some funny, some not so funny. But all told for your entertainment. Thank you for following his blog.

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    1. Thanks for visiting my blog Kurt. Yours is quite interesting and I think I’ll be dropping by once in a while. Good luck on your writing and hopefully, I’ll get to the point of having mine published as well. :)

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    1. Thanks, brother.

      I was bouncing around your site today, digging your work like I do and wanting to reblog a couple pieces…but to my dismay there were no reblog buttons.

      Sure would like to share some of your artistic love with some of the folks who stop by here…

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  51. Hi Kurt, you have a great bio and you have lived your life to the fullest, and its inspiring. Thank you for the follow and stopping by my blog :). I am not as great a writer as you, but its great to meet people like you and getting the privilege of reading their blog and thereby being a part of their journey and that is one good thing about being a blogger. :)

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    1. That’s why I love WordPress so much and think ma.tt is a giant of a genius (even though he still only looks like he’s barely 15) — it is such a fantastic global forum for meeting other like-minded individuals.

      Here I am in Southern PA and you are all the way across the globe in Pune, India!

      How awesome is that?!

      Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to write such a nice greeting, Shibu.

      Or shall I say…Neo?

      :)

      Peace

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      1. Yes true Matt, I always wanted to meet people from all around the world, and I never thought it could happen. I am glad I am blogging. And it made me realize that we are all same – one – and its a nice feeling. Thanks for calling me Neo..that made my day..I love to be Neo..I love that movie..:) Have a great day and weekend Matt. Peace to you too. :)

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    1. Hello bambangpriantono – From Indonesia For You.

      Well, since you’re “just an ordinary Indonesian” and I’m just an ordinary US American it looks like we have a lot in common already and we barely know each other.

      :)

      Nice to meet you here, as well.
      Thanks for stopping by.

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    1. Hi Lorna’s Voice.

      Well, I don’t know about the others, but the chances are that I found your blog the same way I typically find all the others – through the WordPress Reader. After I publish a new post, I always read the posts in the WP Reader with the same tags in the post I just published (I’m sure there is a clearer way that I could have written that but hopefully you follow). And when I read a post, I tend to “Like” it and to follow the author who wrote it.

      And there you have it…I hope your curiosity has been sated.

      :)

      Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to offer such kind comments.

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  57. First, I wish you good health.
    I do appreciate you stopping by my blog and following it. I may be wrong, but I think you would like a book I reviewed in early September, 2014. Ruth Ozeki’s A Tale for the Time Being. It was short listed for the Booker, but that is not why. It is partially based in Japan and you will learn some Japanese vocabulary along the way (if you don’t already know some).
    Second, your writing is clean and I like that. I don’t do the searching for Likes, but I am glad you did you read the tags and found my blog, so I can now follow yours. Good luck finishing your novel.

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    1. Hello, bwhite21. I’m sorry for the delay in response. Somehow I missed your kind and informative comment. I have been meaning to read Ozeki’s work for a long while now. Hopefully I’ll get to it soon. Thanks for the referral. Again, thank you for taking the time to leave such a kind comment. I’m glad I found and followed you, as well.

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  61. Enjoyed the bio, lot of info in just a few words. Very interesting life. Your humor and mine will get along pretty good. Appreciate you checking out my blog and may I suggest reading almost any book of short stories by Patrick McManus.

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    1. Hi repeoples. Thank you for stopping by and checking things out. I really appreciate your kind comments and the book recommendation. Although, I must say you are the first to say my bio consisted of “just a few words.” Seems most remark on its length. Yeah, I think you’re right…we will get along pretty good, indeed. :)

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      1. Bare in mind that dutch is my native language, we dutch people have a saying: act normal, you are crazy enough. You lift youself up to a place you want to be, but it doesn’t suite you. You are good enough as the I. :-)
        Hugs Marijke

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  67. This bio is heads and shoulders above the best description of a human being I have ever read. Because of this fact, you got me interested in your books. Thank you so much for visiting my humble blog. I’m impressed that you even noticed it. Thank you again.

    Bye,

    Omar.-

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  68. HI there Kurt, a very interesting about page. As a very novice writer myself is great that you stumbled upon my little crazy blog, now I have another person who I can read and learn from. And you being a published author you might know a thing or two about writing.

    I´m also thankful you´re a survivor, you do have a gift to share seems to me, so you thought Oman was the moon…….man what did the navy gave you to eat? plus 20 years in service. Long time away from home, I survived 4 and a half years in the army and that was more than enough for me. Looking back I should have gotten in the Navy instead, you did travel world at the expense of not seeing the family I´m sure and I know a bit about that,but you did have quite some adventures , will read more in your blog and see about your book, but I´m sure you have a bunch of adventures to tell. Just only reading the strange food you ate………go figure the rest.

    Anyways, I´m very glad you took your time to visit my blog.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave such a nice comment, charlypriest.

      Yeah, I’ve had some interesting experiences…but haven’t we all. We all have some stories to tell.

      I like your vibe. It feels like you have so much you want to say and write that it’s almost impossible for you to contain them.

      Write on, Army…write on.

      Hooah!

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  73. Kurt, love your syntax, brother. Things we have in common: 1) I write (duh); 2) I’m a buckeye (honorary–moved to Ohio 10 years ago); 3) Godzilla–not because I’m tall, but because I’ve written a spoof entitled Notzilla (more on that later). Pleasure to Follow you back!

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  80. Hi great to meet you! you sound like a sound guy who knows what he is doing and where he is going in life! Thanks for liking my blog enough to follow . I am always happy and grateful to get a new follower! I look forward to stepping into your blog! Be well and happy! xx

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  81. Hi Kurt, pleased to meet you and thank you for following my blog. I’ve had a read through yours, it’s a wonderful collection of work, very ecclectic.

    Your ‘about’ page is superb!

    I can relate to many of the experiences you describe as I spent 16 years in the Royal Navy and I too travelled widely in that time.

    I’m following your blog now; I’d like to maker sure I don’t miss anything!

    Namaste
    Robert

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    1. Ahoy, Shipmate! Well I guess in the Queen’s Navy you all say, Shipper? Is that right? Anyway, welcome my salty friend. Thanks so much for taking the time to check a bit out and for leaving such nice feedback. It really means a lot to me. Let’s stay in touch as we become more familiar with each others work. Peace.

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  82. Kurt, that has to be the most interesting’About’ I have ever read. Certainly highlights the terrible one I wrote over on Learning from Dogs! Must improve it! A result of coming here because you recently subscribed to LfD, for which I offer my warm thanks.

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        1. Well, we have a cat, Jack Kerouac, but he’s the wife’s cat. Won’t have anything to do with me.

          Hopefully I won’t get hate mail for saying this since the internet is overly rife with cats, but I am a tried and true Dog Man.

          And I did have a very special dog who passed a couple of years ago, and to be honest, I’m still not over her passing.

          She was a little snowball of a Maltese. Her name was Shikibu Murasaki and she never left my side not once during all my cancer bs. Getting a little misty-eyed just thinking about it.

          Just recently we’ve finally been able to consider getting another dog.

          I’m thinking…bulldog, maybe.

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          1. Well we have 9 dogs here in Oregon of whom 7 are rescues. Jeannie said for you guys to try the shelters first, so many needy dogs in the world. Very happy to help with regard to homing a rescue dog of your dreams. There’s a contact email address on my home page, or use paulhandover over on gmail.

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  84. Hello Kurt, this is the best About page I’ve read! You have seen, and done a lot in your life. May you accomplish all your dreams. So happy that you are a survivor! I love reading good news. :) The love for family, friends, and nature is the essence of life. Thank you for following my blog! Blessings to you, and your family. :)

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    1. I am so happy to have found your blog, Ms. Vee, since it provided me the wonderful opportunity to meet you. Kindness like yours is what enables our planet to survive amongst the increasingly tougher odds against it.

      Thank you so much for sprinkling some of your magic and love around my site.

      Peace.
      ~ Kurt

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  85. Thanks for the follow Kurt, mightily appreciated. Gee in your trips you must have and some amazing and wonderful cultural experiences. Meeting different cultures to me is just magic. I love it and cone myself lucky to be in Europe to have so many cultures just a stone’s throw away. let me carry on my meanderings on your blog, MM 🍀

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  87. Thank you so much for following my blog! I think your site is a great support for indie authors, able to come here and have their works authentically reviewed. I might hit you up for a review some day! ;)

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  88. I enjoyed your bio – it was a rather long read, but I did actually read it all because it was so informative and entertaining. Sounds like you have lived a very full adventurous life. Thanks for the follow on my blog, I’m thinking it is only fair to return the favor, especially since I’m pretty sure I like your style of writing.

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    1. Hi Teresa. I’m glad you enjoyed that long beast of an about page and I appreciate you suffering through it. And I am additionally appreciative for you being only fair and following my site out of anticipated merit rather than obligation.

      Thank you, Teresa.

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  91. thanks for the follow on my blog. I grew up in western PA and still miss the beautiful woods. My son also had leukemia; unfortunately his match didn’t take so while he is finally at peace there is still a pain in my heart. best wishes with your writing. Marie :)

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  94. I think that’s the best bio I’ve read on WordPress. And I usually can’t process more than a nugget of information, but I felt like I just ate a whole chicken, feet and all, minus the toenails. Clearly, you’ve accomplished more than being tall. In fact for those of us who are average height and haven’t been anywhere or done anything, this bio makes us feel like we may just have wasted a few decades. Japan is very far away, too far away to even dream of. It’s like Sedaris says: “I have to go to China.” I told people this in the way I might say, “I need to insulate my crawl space” or, “I’ve got to get these moles looked at.”
    Yes, that’s how I feel about the other side of the world. But perhaps you may have planted a little Smokey Mountain seed in me. And I’ll point out cows and the moon.

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    1. Oh my, kerbey. Your comments have left me near speechless. And, judging by the length of my About page, I’m sure you can imagine that is quite a rare thing, indeed.

      Seriously, I don’t know how to respond because words are all I have to respond with, and they just aren’t up to the task of describing how pleased I am right now…

      Not just because of the nice things you said, and it is that, but it is also, mostly, because of the moving way you described how moved you were by the words.

      And, I really enjoy how you drew in to the wonderful sentiment of Sedaris’ China piece.If it isn’t the funniest, it comes in a close second to anything whatever else is. So much hilarity to choose from.

      Travel if you can, but take assurance that with your lucid and poetic prose, your words can take you wherever you wish to go.

      Thank you, kerbey, truly.
      ~ Kurt

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  95. Thanks for looking at my site. I just roamed around yours and wanted to say that I signed up for the registry the same day my college roommate was supposed to be getting her transplant. (It ended up being put off a week or so.) She also has GVHD but luckily that as severe. She can’t smell, which means she can’t really taste, and she has some problems with her feet, but she’s still a great sport about going out to eat and she hikes as often as time allows. I really admire her attitude.

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    1. Sorry to hear about your friend. Glad to hear she is facing it well. Please offer my best wishes. Yeah, I went through a long period when I couldn’t smell or taste anything. To be honest, though, in some ways it was kind of refreshing. No hassles. :)

      Thanks for stopping by, c2london.

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  102. Wow, that has to be the best “about” page I’ve ever seen on any blog. Makes me want to go and improve mine. Almost. If I didn’t have this compulsion to keep writing my book, I would. ;-) But seriously, many truths and tons of humour on this page, love it.

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      1. To be honest, I was just going to… skim it. See who was following me. I don’t believe in just blindly exchanging “follows” with people only to completely ignore their posts later (though I’ve been guilty of ignoring way too many good bloggers because of my lack of time, dangit!), but both your style and content drew me in, so well done. :-)

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    1. Uh oh. I guess maybe you didn’t see the part about me
      “wanting” to learn the language…someday. Let me active my google side of my brain to see what nonsensical translation it comes up with…

      “Have I had my rice today?” Hmm…

      Rice, gohan, is a staple I never go without. :)

      I really appreciate you stopping by and having a look around, bearspawprint. It means a lot to me.

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  104. Hi Kurt, thanks for visiting and following my blog. Great bio – very entertaining. You’ve experienced and survived so much (chick flicks included). It must have all been incredibly challenging at the time but now provide such raw and rich inspiration for your writing now.

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  105. In an attempt to coin a new phrase I have only reiterated what so many have said before. But it is what it is. A great bio. Sometimes a short, to the point sentence is the best answer, not a verbose one, (which I am often guilty of ).

    Thank you for visiting my site and someday, I’ll have a novel posted somewhere in this new world of publishing.

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  110. Your bio is beautifully transparent, even if you aren’t. I loved this: “He is tall, but he hopes to accomplish more in life than just that,” because my vertical deficiency occasionally brings out the patronizer in some tall guys. Perhaps, by the time I kick this life’s bucket, I will truly believe that stature is not a physical attribute. And thanks again for following The Well-Dressed Branch.

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    1. Hey, James, thank you so much for the wonderful comment. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know.

      And, as you already know, I also really appreciate you helping with my gaff of a gaffe. It is so kind of you to help other authors out like that. Our community need more givers like you, brother.

      Thanks again, James.
      ~Kurt

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  116. Just wanted to say thanks for the follow/love on my blog! Super cool of you, also your music taste is flawless. Yes to Beck, yes to Jose Gonzalez!

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  118. Wow! An interesting and intriguing blog! Thank you so much for visiting and following my blog. I am now following you also and look forward to checking out your blog more closely. Have a great evening! :)

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  120. Konichiwa, Wow! That is a lot of ‘about’ words. I admit I would usually skim that many words from an unknown screen friend, but surprisingly I read every one. Love the humorous and interesting writing. Thanks for following my blog. Sayonara.

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    1. Thank you, Kathi. It’s so nice of you to take the time to leave such a nice comment. As for Singapore, it’s been many o’ moon since I’ve visited, but it is a very tidy tiny country. Do not litter. My general advice for any foreign travel — stay out of McDonalds and Starbucks and eat foods that scare you. :) Enjoy your visit. Maybe stop back and let me know how it went?

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      1. Sounds good. I do like to try new foods, and I love natural beauty. I’ll be sure to be tidy and hope to remember to let you know if I find anything amazing!

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  124. I stopped by to thank you for following my blog and hope you continue to find something of interest there. I’m always curious as to what brings people to it. I have found yours very entertaining, especially your about page. I like your humor. I’ll stop back by shortly when I have more time to read. Thank you again.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by to check things out, insearchofitall. I’m happy to hear you find things humorous and entertaining. As for how I found your blog…more than likely I saw something you posted in the WP Reader, liked it, and felt compelled by it to follow you in anticipation of more good stuff. :)

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  127. Hello Kurt,

    Thank you so much for the follow.
    What a site. I really like the way your site is presented and the formatting of the bio my oh my.
    cannot wait to explore the site more!

    Tijani

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    1. Hey, thank you, Prof. Nisslbody. I appreciate you checking things out and taking the time to leave me with your kind comments and to let me know about the layout. I have a tendency to change my themes often…to often probably. But I like this one and it makes me happy to know it provides a decent experience for visitors. Thanks again.

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  132. What an honor to have you following Shadows of Love. Thank you! Just in reading this page of yours, I am sure there is much about you I will enjoy and from which I have a lot to learn.

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  134. This has to be the best ‘About’ page, I’ve ever read. You sound rather intriguing. :) I have a friend in South Africa who has recently had a bone marrow transplant. It’s been a long struggle, but he’s winning through, just as you did, :)

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  143. Interesting and revealing bio, Kurt. But you left out a couple of things that perhaps only someone from the outside could see. I won’t include what I think you forgot or simply omitted out of respect for your privacy, but I will say the “warmth, caring and loyalty” I knew so well didn’t make the cut. And I bet you did feel like Godzilla in Japan. Hell, I felt tall in Japan and you tower over me.

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  150. I read every word with appreciation and delight…especially, ” He has touched waves frozen in their curl.” Thank you, Kurt.

    It will be good to meet you in the spaces between the words at Spirituality Without Borders. Thanks for the follow.

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    1. Awesome. I don’t know if you’ve visited my Frequently Angry Questions page but this is now the gold standard for how one should leave a proper “thanks for following” comment. :)

      Thanks for stopping by, checking things out a bit, and for leaving such a killer comment, Sophie. You can bet I will vote for you in the UK Blog Awards thingy.

      Originality is so…awesome

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  156. Well, obviously I haven’t visited your FAQ page, or I would have put this response to your visit in the right orifice. Sorry! Actually, I’m not sorry, I’m a curmudgeon. So, I appreciate you took the time to visit my writing studio, and that — for some reason — you felt inclined to follow my work.

    My dad served in the South Pacific in the Navy during WWII on an attack transport. He wrote about his experience in “Attack Transport,” which he updated in “Gemini Ship.” So, we’re 2 degree linked there — plus I LOVED Roger Staubach when he played for Navy (and Dallas, too — but then they became America’s team and I didn’t have a vote).

    So thank you, Kurt. I’ll mark your site to come back and read when I’m not writing.

    — Skip

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    1. This is great. I’m not exactly sure about all that’s going on but that’s okay because I liked to be left a bit unwary from what I read. Tell your hero father that I am so grateful for his service. And I too loved Roger the Doger, though, to be honest, I don’t remember his Academy playing days…a bit before my time. But he was the greatest with the ‘Boys.

      I”m so happy you had a brief moment to visit with me here, Skip. Thank you for that. I look forward to your next visit. ~ Kurt

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  158. Thanks so much for following my blog!!! I will definitely begin reading your posts when I myself slow down in order to take time to smell the roses! I am grateful we have discovered each others blog!! Wishing you all the inspiration from the ‘writers gods’!

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  159. An amazing About page, Kurt. Fascinating stuff. I note that, like many writers, you prefer to write things down than say them. I’m with you on that one. Thank you for the follow, and I’m sure I’ll enjoy following yours. Happy writing.

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    1. Hello, milliethorn. Thanks so much for stopping by and having a look around. And I really appreciate your kind comment. It sounds like we have some commonalities as writers. Looking forward to visiting with you often. Happy writing to you, as well, my new friend.

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  160. Hi Kurt – that is quite an “About” page – you have experienced life to the fullest and continue to do so; you know what you like and don’t like, and you know how to verbalize it all. What’s not to like about a guy liky you? :-) Thanks so much for following Beauty Along the Road.

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  161. Hello Kurt, thank you very much for following my blog. I’m kind of new to the blogging world and I greatly appreciate followers. This was such a poetic bio. The line that stands out the most in my mind is that every american or immigrant who wishes to become one should be required to travel across the US. I wish that were true because I would love to do that. One of my favorite places I traveled to and love the natural beauty was Lake Superior’s coast in Wisconsin, my home state. I could go on about that camping trip. I have just seen your bio and cannot wait to sift through your other content and read what you have to say.

    -Emily

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    1. Ah, Emily, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving me such a nice comment with the lovely reflection on your home state. From one Lake State homie to another,…Welcome, my friend. I look forward to your many returns just as I look forward to visiting with you often at your site.

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  162. Wow. So many things remind me of me. I feel like I could have written some of the stuff here.
    It is good to hear from others who share my outlook. I will take issue with the idea that it is abnormal or unreasonable to focus on the negative in life.
    Someone once said that “Life is pain. Happiness is just those brief moments when the pain is suppressed”. If you think about it; most of our life is spent longing for; planning for; wishing for things; people; places we want. The time we get to actually enjoy those things is relatively brief. Then, once we have the longed for thing; something else takes our fancy and there we are again; longing for another difficult to obtain goal; convinced that satisfaction is sure to await our acquisition of this latest thing.
    It is the human condition.
    It seems that humans fail to accept the idea that there is anything that they should not have if they want it.
    Some would say that this is because we were originally perfect and there was no limit to our reach and that we are forever frustrated by our current imperfection and the limitations it places upon us.
    Others would certainly disagree and put it down to a scientific anomaly.
    Take your choice. I’m easy.
    Welcome to AMS.

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    1. My, we certainly appear to be kindred spirits.What a great introduction, AMS. Yeah, Life’s ever-present angst sure does keep us on our hopeful toes, doesn’t it. Welcome my angry friend. I have a feeling you just might spice things up a bit around here. At least I hope you will.

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  163. Thanks. I love it too. I just wanted to stop back because….well….you mentioned that you are a….(GULP)…Cleveland fan.

    I don’t really know what to say. I feel you. They say they can cure that now you know.
    I have never suffered such an affliction although I do carry a second team affinity for the Steelers. Not so bad except that my First Team is the Baltimore Ravens.

    I’ve tried to give up the Steelers but I was living in PA when the Steelers were winning four out of five Super-bowls and three in a row back in the seventies.

    Ok, so now I have calmed you with assurances that I understand and I have exposed my own vulnerability along the same lines soooo.. you should be feeling quite warm and fuzzy about now. I think we can now discuss this problem of yours. Cleveland huh? CLEVELAND? Hmh! Cleveland…..Browns huh?
    Look man. There is no easy way to say this. Come on over to the Black and Purple. Right down the road. Winning team. Attractive uniforms. Cool numbers. And…..AND… they’ve actually been within sniffing distance of a Superbowl…………………actually they have won two.

    No?
    Ok. Picture this. Still Buckeye. Not far from “that” city. Tiger motif. Again. Winning team. Attractive uniforms and helmets. Huh?
    Come on. Tiger; you know. Rooaaaar!!! Fierce; cunning.

    Well; I’m all out of ideas. How did you ever manage to wind up a “B–B–Bro–; I just can’t say it; a fan of theirs? Did dey’ drug you, Kid? Did dey’ beat you wid’ a rubbah’ hose? Did they threaten your Muthah’? Oh Man. I just can’t think about it…………

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    1. Brain-washed from birth, I guess. Born and raised Brown and it will not wash off. You know, if it were any other team except the baltimorons raisins, I probably could get behind them comfortably as a #2. But I just cannot do it with them…with the Modells. Ugh. But it is nice to be saying all this as my Brownies sit precariously at the #1 spot in their division. Odd feeling.

      Back in the day, the squealers were always the devil’s team. But these days I have a begrudging respect for them and reserve all my vile for the raisins. And purple has always been my least favorite color. :)

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  165. Hi there! Thanks for stopping by my new blog and deciding to follow me! As you may have surmised, I am pretty blog-illiterate, but as a writer, I figured I ought to do what people in the 21st century are doing and acquire some new skills. It is a bonus that I am encountering cool (possibly even like-minded — do I dare fathom it?) people like you who seem to know the ropes! I look forward to navigating your site some more and reading more of your writing.

    Cheers!

    Steph

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    1. Welcome, Steph. And as I am an old salt of a sailor who has come to know his ropes through both task and tale, please let me know if I can be of any assistance as you navigate your way around my site.

      And I do dare fathom that the depths or your nautical references in your wonderful intro could put wind in the most slack of a suffering sail.

      Welcome aboard, mate. :)

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  166. Wow…what a fascinating blog!! I have been reading through different topics and enjoy the diversity of it! I am a little behind on my thank yous but thank you for the follow on my blog and I am really looking forward to reading through more of yours!! Tina

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  167. Excellent About page. If only other bloggers would see the value of a great About page and this is right up there with the best of the best.

    Thanks for the follow, btw. Enjoyed the visit, will be following you in about 15 seconds.

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    1. Thank you, kind sir. This About page didn’t come easy but it is very special to me, that’s for sure. I really appreciate your kind words, Slo-man. Thanks for stopping by. I’m looking forward to our future visits, both here and at your domain.

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  172. So many thoughts came to mind while reading this, but the last thought that came when I was done reading was: wow. It sums it up. What an interesting life you have led. I find I am like you in many ways that you describe here. My husband was in the Navy too, so I was automatically interested. Anyway, thanks for the follow. Looking forward to reading more.

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  176. Hey Kurt, thanks for deciding to follow my blog. After reading some of yours, I’m going to follows yours too. I look forward to reading more of your posts and hope you enjoy reading mine.

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    1. Oh my. I’m so sorry to hear that you have cancer, Imarieallen. A prayer has been sent your way. The good thing is that I can really feel strength and positivity in your voice, which will go a long way in overcoming just about anything…as I suspect you may already know. Thanks for stopping by, checking things out a bit, and for taking the time to leave such an awesome comment. :)

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  182. You have travelled, you have seen, you have learned, you have lived. Keep going forward and sharing. You still have to see my neck of the woods. Until then, thanks for joining my band of followers as I explore my corner of our world.

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    1. Awesome. Thanks for stopping by, checking things out a bit, and leaving such a poetic “Hello.” I really appreciate it, Catherine. And heading to your neck of the woods pronto to hang out with all your other band of followers for a bit. :)

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  184. Hi Kurt. Loved your life story! Thanks so much for visiting my blog and for following. I don’t post as often as I intend to (once a week), but do what I can with my other commitments! Am looking forward to reading your blog too.

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  186. Well, I will say it like I mean it, I mean, this is quite an “About” and I confess I did not read every single word. But I read a whole lot of them, and I liked them. Something about your description of your children’s births was moving. I suspect there’s much to see here, so I’m off!

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  188. Thank you Kurt Brindley. Your About section was delightful to read. I liked the third person style and humor. The sketches I’ve glimpsed on the site look awesome. I look forward to exploring the site and blog updates I receive in mail. Thank you for following my blog, LifeObservations.org. All the best to you.

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  190. Without a doubt, one of the best “About” pages It has been my pleasure to read. Kudos. I didn’t have to think twice about hitting the follow button, and I assure you I will be back this way once I take care of some other obligations, and finish up the e-mail I’m working my way through. See you later, and thanks for the visit.

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    1. That’s awesome, dbp49. I’m so happy you like it. I’m especially happy that you took the time to leave me such a nice comment. I really appreciate it. I visited Vancouver many years ago and I must say, it was one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen…and I’ve seen quite a few. :)

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  200. Well Kurt, I’m not sure where to start. I got dizzy just trying to get to the comment form, LOL! You are one creative soul that’s for sure. I have enjoyed nosing around your space, love your haiku and that you stick to the format intended, 5-7-5. Drives me crazy that so many have altered it. I am a purest when it comes to haiku. (: Your photography and your treatments to some of it, is beautiful. Love the cosmos! Anywho, thanks for the follow of my blog. We definitely have similar interests. Have a joyful holiday season. Cheers, Margie

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    1. Margie. I’m so appreciative of your determination in making that dizzying decent downward to the comment form; and I’m even more appreciative of the wonderful note you left for me once you arrived there. Thank you so much for stopping by to check things out a bit and for putting a smile on my face and some joy into my holiday season. I wish you and yours such joy and wonderment and a lot of Santa Claus lovin’ this season of the holy day. :)

      5/7/5 Forever…

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  202. You’re very interesting. For a bit, I was wondering if you were the guy in those Dos Equis commercials. You certainly have my attention.

    By the way, thanks for taking a look at the Hammer Home Street Photography Project.

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  203. Well sir, I am honored that you are now following my blog. Thank you! As an army wife of 20 years, I can identify with you on many issues. We’ve always enjoyed traveling and meeting new friends. My husband and I are both writers as well. I’m looking forward to discovering more about you and your interesting life in the future! Blessings,

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    1. Hello Ellie and Hooah! Thank you to both you and your husband for keeping us safe and free and allowing me to be as ridiculous as I can be without having to worry about being executed for spreading “corruption upon Earth” as I just finished reading an Iranian facebooker is being executed for… What a silly little planet we have.

      Anyway…thank you for visiting and taking the time for leaving me such a friendly comment.

      Go Army!

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  204. Hello Kurt,

    Thank you so much for following my blog and really feels nice to find you here :)

    This is one of the most detailed and frank “about” page I had seen here and thank you so much for sharing…

    Hope to follow many more adventures …

    Have a great time :)

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  209. I think your bio wins, actually. ;) I’m so happy I came across you! And I’m so happy you spawned the most creative kids in the universe. :P You must be one proud papa.

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  210. So glad you stumbled across one of my blogs. I wouldn’t have been able to follow you back to yours then! This is about the most entertaining and heartfelt About page I’ve read in a long time. :-)

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  230. Thank you for such a delightful “about” page! Thank you also for choosing to follow Virtual Vitamins. May the words I write be refreshing and encouraging to you, as I’m sure yours are to many.

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  231. David Sedaris is one if my favorites, too. It’s been several years since I read any of his books, but I still crack up when I think of some of his stories. Switching topics, reading about your bone marrow donor choked me up. Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your service to our country!

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  234. Wow Kurt, what an about page. It’s the story of all stories; filled with fun, family adventure, wonder and more. Definitely entertaining and nice to find a very personal welcome to your life. Thanks for the follow. You have so much to explore here!
    Happy Holidays! Brad

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  243. Great bio. I envy the xenophiliac music list, mine is more hidebound. And I agree that it’s more efficient to write (draw) than to speak especially when beer is involved; not that stops any of us. I’ve never heard politics better described.
    Also that there is more than us and this. But who can know if that is better and does knowing really matter? As it sometimes feels like we just here to avoid assholes, help those who are not (assholes or good at avoiding them) and chronicle our adventures if we have the time, talent and inclination. But mostly that seems good enough to keep on going on. So…
    Keep up the good work and thanks for the following. May I ask why?

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    1. I’ve received more than a few comments on this about page and this is definitely among the most interesting. Thank you for that. As for why did I follow you, probably because I hadn’t before (see my FAQ (Frequently Angry Questions)), but after just now checking out your blog, it would be one I would gladly follow regardless. Write/Draw on, my friend!

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  244. Hi Kurt, I’m happy that you are following my blog. There’s something there, especially if you have been to the East, experienced Buddhist culture and wondered what is going on ‘under the hood’. I use my writing to demystify the Buddha’s teaching. There’s lots of good stuff coming up, so stay tuned!

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  246. Hi Kurt! And nice to meet you.

    I love your “About”, but it’s really not long enough. Please expand.

    Regarding your height: me too.

    But hey:

    “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

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  248. Hi Kurt, Thank you for reading and liking one of my poems today and then following my blog. It brought me here, and I must say that your ‘About’ page is one of the most amusing and captivating that I’ve read. I look forward to exploring your blog further. ~Best wishes to you and your family for the holidays~ Mary

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  256. I’m stating the obvious, but even so, let me join the crowd and say: best ‘about’ I have ever read. I can’t wait to read the rest of your writings. Thank you for the follow; I get especially excited when people of wide interests and opinions follow my blog. Hope it’s worth your while. I am most definitely returning the favour.

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  262. Dear Kurt, I’m happy that you are following the Sacred Self blog. I enjoyed reading your bio. Two things immediately struck me. You are living in my old home state – I was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania, north of Pittsburg – what a wonderfully beautiful area. And, you had leukemia. My older son did also but did not find the right donor in time. What a unique and precious blessing is this thing called life. Best wishes to you and your family. Marie :)

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