David Shaw:  

After graduating from Lynbrook a semester early, I attended De Anza College, traveled in Europe, and was a missionary in Colorado for two years. I lived in Santa Cruz from 1980 to 2007, where I graduated from UCSC with a BA in anthropology. I've had a few careers, and am semi-retired at present, but looking for more work, as I have a family now. I'm a dog person. In Santa Cruz I had Buddy and Molly, and enjoyed walking on West Cliff, and going to the dog beach. Molly was with me for 16 years, which is several years longer than my first wife! My last year in Santa Cruz, a friend gave me Brutus, who is with me now in New Mexico, along with Lily and Lola, who we adopted here in Albuquerque. I'm LDS, libertarian, a sci-fi fan, and into anthropology and history. In high school I was a good student, and I was on the chess team. I've hardly played since I was 16, as I started dating and had to give up something! Chess, Star Trek; how nerdy can you get? But in those days I don't remember the terms "nerd" and such being used much, and we didn't even have computers yet, which is somewhat the hallmark of nerdiness. I was even a drummer in a garage band, so didn't consider myself a nerd, but by virtue of the sci-fi, chess, AP Chem, and honor roll, I guess I was one! Apparently I was known for bad puns; I regret to say I still make stupid jokes all the time, and now do it in Spanish as well as English! Many of my friends - especially those who came over to my house to jam or to swim - remarked that my parents were "cool," which was true. My dad passed away in 1982, and my mom in 2006. That same year, my dog, Molly, also died. However, that is the same year I went to a church singles' potluck and met Raquel Garcia Morales, of Michoacan, Mexico, who is now my wife, so 2006 wasn't all bad! In 2007 I married my beautiful wife, Raquel, in the Oakland Temple, and also cashed-in my Baby-Boomer inheritance, selling my half of the house in Santa Cruz (I have one sister, who got the other half), and moving to Albuquerque, where I bought a whole, bigger, much newer one. For almost 20 years, I'd thought about moving to "the land of enchantment," but wasn't ready, and am glad I didn't before I met Raquel! Some people can't understand moving away, when I lived 3 blocks from the ocean for 27 years, but besides the economics of it, it was time for a change. We have thr...Expand for more