A Writer, obsessed with truth, resisting retirement
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
1970s
Overall high school experience
10/10. I was peaking in those years, sad to say. I was self-actualizing, unimpeded. Not long after, I ran headlong into social realities and my own weaknesses, which have crippled my potential.
Grades in high school
Mostly A's.
Favorite subjects
Visual Arts, Physical Education, History / Social Studies, English, Football, photography, and anything involving writing. Journalism.
Struggled with...
Math. It is alien to me.
Favorite extracurricular
Photography
Life since high school
“In my youth, I assumed money would automatically accompany good work. It does not. It must be consciously pursued.”
Attended college / university at
Stanford
Majored in
Psychology/Communications.
Post-graduate education or training
Columbia Graduate School of Journalism in the City of New York, MSJ, and a fellowship in producing at the American Film Institute, Center for Advanced Film Studies.
Places lived in US
California, New York
Places lived outside the US
Yes. London.
Current occupations / past occupations
I am a writer, producer, and director in television and film. Mostly writing.
Industries I've worked in
- Information (e.g. Publishing, Film, Broadcast, Telecommunications, Libraries)
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Yes
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Yes. It was generally upward, (advancing in responsibility and income) until I turned 40, then it levelled off, and has now plummeted.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
To achieve what I set out to achieve, while making enough money to not have to worry, and being able to help others who have not been so fortunate.
My definition of success has changed over time.
In my youth, I assumed money would automatically accompany good work. It does not. It must be consciously pursued.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
Saving a life. Or at least making the final moments of a stranger's life not alone. I never followed up to find out which.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
Something I never mention, and which I believe does not deserve the fuel of my reflection. I believe the darkness feeds itself, and needs no help from us.
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
I met [name omitted]. We've been together 32 years. I cannot even begin to summarize how that moment has impacted my life, but I know that without him, I have no life.
Anything else you'd like to share?
In my day, we had Vietnam to contend with. We were required to register for the draft, and serve if called. I was a conscientious objector, and faced the Draft Board. I said I believed in National Service, just not killing for Capitalism. I was awarded the IA-O noncombatant status, and expected to serve alternative service -- but was never called. I think that we all should serve in some way, two years, working to improve conditions in our country and ensuring that the ideal of equal opportunity is real. Especially with the privileges and advantages we receive as children of Palo Alto, we need to give back.
This alumni is open to your questions and follow-ups.
In order to protect anonymity, we will pass along your message and they can choose whether to respond.
My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Rosatti's Alpine Beer Garden.
