My Family

I live in Modesto, Calif.. in the heart of the Golden State's fertile Central Valley. My mortgage company and I own a little corner of Modesto. 

I count as my "immediate" family:

• Ken (me), born July 23
• Andrew McFarland, my "stepson" from a rumored marriage long ago in a land far, far away. Andrew is very dear to me and I think highly of him...usually.
• Andrew's Wife Steph
• Granddaughter Tiana
• Grandson Mitchel

What I Like!

• Computers: I currently work out of my home as an Outside Sales Rep under contract to Hewlett-Packard. I am also a computer and media consultant.
• Photography: I use Nikons! Need I say more? And recently began the conversion to digital.
• Railroads: I absolutely love trains and railroading and like to "chase" (and photograph) them.
• Writing: I'm a published author of railroad-oriented articles (naturally), and have written over 30 magazine pieces and two full-length, hardbound books in a photo essay format. Two of my previously published articles and a a short excert from my first book are "reprinted" here as internet editions.
• Science Fiction: I love Science Fiction.
• Music: Most Genres: I still listen to rock (plus lotsa other stuff) and at one time made my living as a musician. That's why I prefer to keep current with musical trends and styles (no Oldies stations for me! No Rap either - I can only handle so much...) To learn about my decadent period read the next topic.

Ken's profile: San Jose June 2000. Has Ken taken a turn for the worse? No, this is a 3D portrait taken at the The Tech, San Jose's Museum of Technology. Once a visitor is scanned a card with a magnetic bar code strip is issued, allowing the scannee to go to another terminal and apply special effects (FX) to their 3D portrait. 

In this case, Ken decided to apply the Chrome Dome effect. He never looked better!

My "Musical" Period

Like so many other baby boomers looking for fame and fortune, I played serious rock 'n roll with the goal of being signed by a record company to be rich and famous and have lots of women.

The moment I cast off the shackles of high school, I began playing electric bass. The late 1960s and early '70s were heady times and by 1980 I had played in more bands than I cared to think about. To my credit, though in 1975 I had seen the writing on the wall and embraced computer technology by becoming a COBOL programmer. .

But let's back up! In 1969 I began in ernest my pursuit of fame, fortune and groupies. I was sure performing would lead to a record contract, lots of money more women than I could handle. And you know, over the 10-plus years I played music I experienced just about everything a struggling musician can experience, except fame, fortune and a record contract. I was on grueling road tours, exposed to surly club owners, played late night studio sessions and even later-night club and concert dates.

But I also had some great times too: Nice hotels, cool clubs (including the Denver Playboy Club) good food and some wild wom...well, some things should be left unsaid.

In the end, though, I came closest to winning that elusive stardom in a group called China Cat. That final group was also the my all-time favorite because I got to perform with great musicians and great friends! And we had complete control over our creative destiny. In the end though, our dream was never realized.

If you would like to see just how close me and my bandmates did get to fame and fortune, then check out the China Cat page by clicking on the China Cat button above

In spite of all the strangeness, the bruised egos and broken hearts, I wouldn't trade those years for anything!