As a journalist, lawyer, and cellist, I'm always on vacation from something. I write about people who pursue individual adventures and struggle against norms. I've had the luck to see the deep ocean from the Alvin submarine, where bizarre animals thrive and tectonic plates slide apart. No need for humans there. While skiing across East Greenland, I met natives driving dog sleds, hauling polar-bear meat, and talking on cell phones. So many ways to be human. String quartets fascinate me. I love the music and marvel at the hard work quartets do to excel, to stay together, and to share the intimacy of their art. So many challenges. As a lawyer, I look for ways to help musicians build their careers.

My stats: Grew up in Denver known as "Kim," went east to boarding school, graduated from St. Stephen's in Rome, Italy. Joined first class at Hampshire College and graduated with a concentration in Italian architecture and city planning. Worked for a city councilman in New York City, then studied cello at Mannes School of Music with Claus Adam. Played with Canton, Ohio and Colorado Springs symphonies. Got my law degree from the University of Chicago and practiced law for 10 years. Freelance journalist since 2000. Divide my time between southern Colorado and suburban Chicago, with jaunts to East Coast and beyond.
Please send me your comments -- and stories.

Makers of new stringed instruments give old Italians a run for their money...Contracts improve for string quartets at universities... Running out of money, living like a nomad, finally winning a top orchestra job...Making it as a string quartet (three-part series): Paul Katz mentors young musicians; Playing it up in bars; Landing a faculty job... Music students, too often judged, forget themselves to play for the ill, the young, the aged at outreach concerts... Janos Starker, the world's most intimidating cellist...Beauty and the Beat - a sizzling pianist...Banff quartet competition earns cheers...Tokai Quartet wins prize...

Discover deep sea vents as seen from the Alvin submersible... A New England mountaineer dies by suicide...Crazy English rock climbers in Wales....The Octopus Lady leads scientists to the East Pacific Rise...Mountain climbers at Banff reflect: Is it worth the risk?

A good Catholic girl kisses her American childhood good-bye to become Muslim...Charged with a brutal murder he says he didn't commit, a young man spent six years in jail just waiting for his trial...Playing outside has become old-fashioned; the future looms exectronic. What happened to being a kid?...Young doctors may want to work 100 hours a week, but some fall asleep at the wheel...

Kids shun video games to discover nature...An art school drop-out discovers a new breed of lion....Peregrine falcons released in Chicago's canyons 20 years ago fight over real estate...The wild colonies of parrots that thrive in cities are the only parrot species that builds a free-standing nest...

Americans come home from Tanzania with Africa sickness -- longing for Africa. They made the trip to see the animals, but now they miss the people most. Discover little known facts about the Hadza, Barabaig, Meru, and Maasai people,along with the places and animals of Tanzania. These short articles were written for Thomson Safaris, an adventure travel company specializing in Tanzania...