Dad, Tell Me About the Time (68)

Monday, September 15, 2025

What is something you feel you do well?

I think I am a good problem solver. If something isn’t working, I can usually figure out why. That is basically what I have done my entire career. I design a product and then build it, but then it doesn’t work. I have to be able to figure out why it doesn’t work. That is also true for things around the house. Some examples are, if a plug in the house all of the sudden has no power, I can follow the wiring back to where the problem is. When I was twelve, I rebuilt a lawn mower motor that wasn’t working. I fix cars all the time. I fix washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators and computers. You name it, if it is broken, I can usually fix it. The exception is software. I can rarely fix computer software problems.

Another thing that I think I do better than the average engineer is explain scientific concepts to the average person.

What hobbies do you enjoy?

I enjoy just about any noncompetitive activity that is done outdoors, hiking, running, walking, biking, water skiing, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, camping, swimming, in pools and in oceans, body boarding, gardening, and camping. I also enjoy photography and dancing.

Do you know how to swim?

Yes, I learned to swim when I was about eight years old.

Which Olympic event do you favor?

That is a tough one, I have mentioned that I’m not a big fan of sports, but when it comes to the Olympics, I enjoy watching all the events. I usually get most caught up in the ones where the USA (or Canada) is doing well. It doesn’t matter if it is swimming or gymnastics, I love the competition and the excitement of doing well.

I also love the backstories, so if there is an Olympian who has a compelling backstory, I love that person no matter what the sport. One example is the comeback of the bob sledder who was hit by a bob sled in a previous Olympics, and she made a huge comeback and she medaled.