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Today's Featured Biography

 
Guy Caspary

Holy shit! 20 years! How do I make this NOT sound like an obituary.

Went to Marquette University in beautiful Milwaukee, WI right after high school. Quickly learned that Catholicism and a midwest Jesuit college were just not for me. Came out of the closet (more room for clothes). I think these two things might have been somehow related to each other.

Moved back to Seattle to do a year at community college, then spent 3 years at the UW, ultimately getting degrees in Zoology and Anthropology. Began working at a small local biotech company (Immunex) while still in school. Ultimately worked for them for 9+ years. Began to dabble in photography in my mid 20's, taking night courses and weekend workshops. Had a few shows and dreamed of living the life of an artist.

Had the amazing opportunity in June 1998 to take a 2 week trip to Cuba with a bunch of photographers. Sweated in the tropical heat, danced with the natives, ran from a tarantula in our beachside bungalow, drank lots of rum, got a bit of food poisoning, and took some photos (which now sit in my storage).

In August 1998, I left my cushy science job and moved to Providence, RI to get a Masters Degree in Photography at the Rhode Island School of Design. Cried nearly the whole way as I drove across the country in my U-haul. 2 years of grad school (lots of weekends in NYC), then a year of post-grad school angst (going to Cape Cod and NYC), followed by the tech/biotech stock bubble bursting (3+ years of not working wasn't half bad). Nothing motivates you like having $50 in your checking account and no job.

Worked a few crazy jobs, including running an art gallery for an 87yo nearly-blind woman (think "Driving Miss Daisy") and teaching photography at the University of Connecticut in Storrs (think WSU without cows and wheat).

In the middle of my first year of grad school, I had to have back surgery for a herniated disc. It was very humbling to roam the hospital corridors with old people who had just had hip replacements. I have a nice scar from the experience (still needing a tattoo around it I think) and am now totally pain free. I have practiced yoga ever since to keep me limber and strong.

Had the crazy misfortune of being in NYC for a photoshoot on 9/11, yet still decided to move there 10 months later. I moved with an old friend/ex-boyfriend into a small one-bedroom apartment in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn (yes, sitcom writers could have spun gold out of this scenario). Did some more art gallery work and art appraisal work (got to appraise never-before seen photos of JFK/Jackie O and the crushed equipment of a photographer killed in 9/11). Living in NYC was very different from visiting NYC. Realizing that I missed Seattle and my friends, I sold or gave away most everything, and bought a one-way ticket home at the end of 2002.

Lived with some very generous Seattle friends for a few months and eventually took a job with Amgen (the big biotech company from California that had acquired Immunex). I am officially a Senior Associate Scientist in the Cell Science & Technology group. Don't ask what I actually do (I'd have to kill you), but I wear a fabulous white polyester-blend lab coat, stylish safety goggles, and latex gloves (for you fetishists). Making good money and having benefits again is fun. Kirsten Crawford takes great pleasure in reminding me how I crawled back to the corporate teat.

In 2005 I decided to do the Seattle to Portland bicycle ride, so bought a fancy road bike and trained extensively for that. Continue to ride for fun and fitness (and to fit into my clothes). Started circuit training last year so I can finally be in good enough shape to wear that Speedo (but only at European beaches).

I live in Belltown with no TV, no microwave, no car, a fabulous wardrobe, and 14 pairs of hipster eye glasses. I love living in the middle of the city (even if it is sometimes a bit noisy) as nothing keeps you grounded like the diversity encountered there.

I still keep in regular touch with quite a few folks from Oly: Kirsten (my pretend wife - she drives me crazy and there's no sex), Molly & Scott Forstall, Heather MacDonald, Kati Carthum(Dougherty), Liz Earp, and Jona Markgraf (who swears she's coming from Berlin for the re-union).

I get over to Bremerton fairly regularly. My parents semi-retired in Bremerton after living in the San Diego area for many years. My brother's family settled in Parkwood East. My oldest niece (14) is finishing 9th grade at Fairview and is quite the jock, playing volleyball, basketball, and soccer. My youngest niece (7) wants to be a princess and ride a unicorn.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone, tossing back a few drinks, and shaking my money maker. See you in August.

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