Curtis Burge:  

Life I teach at a high school for "at-risk" teens in the Seattle area. Legally changed my name to Ian Curtis ten years ago. Why? Because I never liked the sound of CURtis BURge and because, working with "at-risk" teens, you can't imagine how many ways Burge can be corrupted! Budge, bilge, BULGE, burger, bugger, it goes on and on..I always liked the name Ian - it can't be shortened to anything else. My ancestry is Scotch/Irish, so it seems appropriate. I started to take my mother's maiden name, Guthrie, but was afraid that our family would think I was choosing sides. I kept Curtis instead, so that no old friend would ever have to call me something new. My folks were fine with the change and it's been my name for so long that my birthname now seems strange to me. The subjects I teach are Health and Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Rock Guitar. My hobbies are building custom electric guitars, hiking, biking, and surfing. I've converted half of our basement into a full gym - 2 treadmills, an elliptical trainer, 1 elliptical recumbent bike, a full Nautilus weight rack, and an electronic stair climber. We both work out everyday - it's great not having to pack up and drive to a gym. I feel more like 30 than 50. (Isn't it hard to believe that we've hit 50? If we plan on living to 101, we're not even halfway there...) ...Expand for more