- born in Chicago, grew up and went to school there

- B.A, M.A, Ph.D in German; Fulbright year

- bicycle trip from Chicago to California summer 1969 (no one was doing this then!)

- Napa Valley wine industry 1970s (the early glory years)

- finished dissertation 1976

- taught German part-time 1960s-1980s

- full-time aide in congressional campaign, June 1979-November 1980

- Silicon Valley electronics industry, starting summer 1981; technical writing 1983-2005; published book The Modem Connections Bible, late fall 1984; at least 200 user, admin, & install guides, especially for Silicon Graphics (SGI)

- singing with the California Bach Society 1981-2003, including Davies Symphony Hall (8 times), Grace Cathedral, Stanford Memorial Church

- California Native Plant Society; Edgewood Natural Preserve: coalition, then Friends organization

- marriage to Don Mayall August 1995

- Dean campaign 2003-04; Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley 2004 on

- state and local party involvement

- current environmental activism