Here’s a bit about what interests me. I love reading about the people, places and things associated with all of these areas and likewise, enjoy writing about them.
SPORTS
It’s no secret that in the Kuhn household sports hold an important role. Whether it’s catching a baseball, football (pro or college) or hockey game in person or on TV, we’re hooked. And if we’re not watching it, we’re heading off to a golf course to improve our game (it certainly needs it!) or aiming for pins at the local bowling alley. Ten-plus years on a bowling league and winning the championship twice mean we take the game seriously but still know how to have a good time, too. But why should we be limited by talent? What better way to enjoy sports than to partake in fantasy sports? It requires absolutely no athleticism at all (my favorite kind of sport!) The family runs its own friends-only fantasy baseball, hockey and football leagues. Why shouldn’t I get to decide whether Peyton Manning plays this week or not?
TRAVEL
In 1989, I had the choice between getting a Mac computer or going to Europe. My graphic designer friends would say I was a nut but I went with the trip. I love traveling and seeing new things, whether it’s here or abroad. Someday my hubby and I plan to sweep across England on an all-Beatles themed adventure but meanwhile, we’re trying to hit all of the baseball parks in the country whenever we hit a new city. We also aim to check out all of the sports halls of fame and other sports venues where possible. I’d love to tackle a golf course in every state in the U.S. but that might be pushing it. Still, I can dream, can’t I? I also enjoy seeing entertainment related sites, such as movie landmarks or famous spots in Hollywood history. Yes, I really did go to several Hollywood cemeteries years ago as part of my entertainment lineup on that trip. I’m not morbid, really – some of the best art and architecture can be found in churches and cemeteries – seriously.
ANIMAL WELFARE
I love animals. I wasn’t always a wildlife nut, but in 2000, my husband and I picked up a rescue dog from a local small breed rescue organization, and our lives have never been the same. His name is Dexter. He’s about 11 years old – a dachshund-Chihuahua mix and yes, the love of my life. (My husband is aware of this.) Through the love in my dog’s eyes, I soon saw the beauty and soul of every animal I would ever meet since then. I learned to love animals I’d previously disregarded. I reconsidered my lifestyle of eating meat and eventually became vegetarian. I will promote the cause of spaying and neutering wherever the opportunity affords itself and am a big broadcaster to others of the value of adopting animals from reputable rescue groups and animal services, rather than from traditional pet stores or breeders. I am always interested in what national and international animal welfare groups are doing to prevent cruelty to animals and ensure humane treatment of all living creatures. So, yeah, I love animals. I’m one of those.
ENTERTAINMENT & POP CULTURE
I’ve always felt like I was born in the wrong decade. I love old movies, old music, old TV – always have. That’s not to say that I don’t have an appreciation for contemporary entertainment. I have many recent and current favorites, too, because entertainment and pop culture, in general, are for me my real measuring sticks for determining whether you and I can relate. Everyone has a favorite movie, song, TV show, book, sports team – something! – right? If we can’t hold a conversation about any of those subjects, I sincerely have to worry about where you’ve been. Every winter, my husband and I venture off for a major Oscars Run to see all movies nominated in the main six categories. And reality TV is such a big deal in my house, I even blogged about it at TBO.com for a whole TV season! In my eyes, everything can be measured by the art around at the time…and let’s face it. We don’t have any Rembrandts, Leonardos or Michelangelos running around, so our artists are these – fine actors, directors, singers, musicians, and so on. Sure there are some talented people out there working in the traditional arts field, but these are today’s pop artists. And I love everything they do and if I don’t, well, you’ll hear about it. Because as much as I have a passion for movies, music and television, my opinions are even stronger.
LIFE & RELATIONSHIPS
Years ago, as a teenager, I lived in books. Fiction, mostly. Somewhere along the way, I grew to enjoy biographies and non-fiction essays and how-to style books. Perhaps as my life became more task-oriented, more decided and was less up in the air as it might appear to a young adult, I became more attracted to realism and reality-grounded works. No, I’m not gravitating toward how-to-build-a-bench manuals, but anything about money management, time management, health-topics, environmental issues and ways we can be more responsible citizens, works on relationship building/maintenance and other relevant life topics, I’m there studying up about it. We should all continue to be students in these areas if we seriously want to become better people every day. Shouldn’t we? I certainly think so.
PEOPLE
I used to joke after being cut off on the highway or being treated poorly by a cashier "this is why I like dogs more than people." I won't deny that I have become a true animal lover but as I get older, I'm also learning that everybody has a story to tell. I've always been a people-watcher, loving journalist Steve Hartman's feel-good, random phone book profiles on CBS News and wondering about people and the stories behind their lives. Now, I just get the luxury of snapping photos of these strangers I ponder - with words. Through my recent work with the Tribune and skirt! Tampa Bay, I've gotten an opportunity to interview business owners, civic leaders and even professional athletes. I love asking questions, hearing other people's stories and telling them. I think I always have since my days of interviewing students-of-the-week for the high school newspaper. The experience has taught me that if you make a person feel comfortable opening up, you can learn a world of information about them that others can learn from and nothing beats that.