All articles written by me on Sutie101.com appear with my legal permission, but not my personal approval. In short, I do not believe the owners of this site and those who run it to be ethical or competent, but since I signed the agreement when I became an editor here, I have no choice but to let them stay.
Professionally, I am a marketing communications professional and financial writer. I was previously the business editor at a Boston daily newspaper and have also worked as a freelance political and commercial writer. I majored in economics at the University of Chicago.
Much of my spare time is devoted to learning and practicing the martial arts. I have been training, in one style or another, for just about 20 years. This includes intense study in two styles (I hold instructor ranking in one) and dabbling (less than one year of instruction) in a handful of others.
Most people get involved in the arts for one limited reason. It may be learn how to fight, for self defense, to get into better physical shape, to seek another venue for athletic competition, for mental calm and/or spirituality, or as a gateway into learning about an Asian culture. I've focused on all of these at various points of my training and I still find lots to learn.
On a more practical and professional level of the martial arts, I've successfully instructed others in the arts, used them while working security, and applied the principles and techniques in real street fights and bar brawls. (The fact that I'm still standing, I think, attests to my qualifications in that respect, though I suppose it does point to past deficiencies in my behavior.)
Other passions include music (I'm a classical violinist and an avid jazz enthusiast) and food (both cooking and eating.) I also enjoy skiing and hiking.