Michael Kaiser

I was born in Seattle, Washington but have lived and taught all over the United States. I currently reside in Portland, Oregon with my wife and my cat the irrepressible, Cedar.

I am a retired school teacher and wrestling coach. I taught for over thirty years mostly in the field of alternative education. I love both coaching and teaching and if I had another chance to pick out a career path I would do it over again in a heartbeat.

I have many passions and interests, among them; cooking, photography, anything that takes me outdoors, working out, reading history, all kinds of music, travel and first and foremost writing.

My passion for writing began in high school and continued unabated throughout my life. It seems I was always writing something, random observations about life, teaching, the human condition. Mostly I put to paper whatever struck my fancy, tickled me, taught me something.

When I traveled I always kept a diary. Riding a provincial bus down the back roads of Greece, lost in Istanbul, sitting at a sidewalk cafe in Sofia, Bulgaria, Dubrovnik,Croatia, or in a campground in Rome, Oregon, I could always find something that I loved, images I wanted to capture for posterity long after the memories had dimmed.

Two years ago, I asked a friend, a wonderful writer in her own right if she would edit the rag-tag collection of musings I had amassed over the years. Graciously she consented. She and some of my friends suggested I start a blog.

I had no idea how to blog, but with the support and encouragement of many kind people, and the invaluable help of Nina Amir's wonderful text, "How to Blog a Book," I managed to get it up and running.

Today, "Chasing Kerouac-A Life Lived Between the Ditches," is alive and well thanks to my wonderful supporters and followers who inspire me and keep me going. No one travels the creative road alone and without them I would have a den full of papers, nothing more. Each and everyone of them continue to astound and amaze me with their loyalty and interest. I realize that I am a very lucky guy.

If you have a mind to and a little spare time, please check out my blog. Email me, comment, engage me in some sort of fashion and by all means feel free to contribute, I love guest writers. Anything you would care to do to nudge the creative process along would be most appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to check my page out.