Published inCrow’s Feet·PinnedMember-only“And a River Runs Through It”Nature’s cycles help me process losing my Dad to Parkinson’s “This is my happy place, Dad,” I say as we rumble over a cattle grate. Dad looks out at the Deschutes River, “Ok, Son. We should go home now.” He won’t remember this trip. Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, and the side…Aging7 min readAging7 min read
Published inSex and Satire·PinnedMember-onlyMiddle-Aged Ride of ShameFirst-time sex after divorce. First time on pallets. “Tired of white, bearded, and hairy guys? Go bald smooth and Chinese.” That was the opening line on my dating profile. While my grandparents had arranged marriages in China, I had the freedom to swipe through hundreds of ladies sitting in a…Sex5 min readSex5 min read
Published inAbout Me Stories·PinnedMember-onlyAbout Me—Ryan ChinIn my older age, I’m getting soft, and I’ve learned to do stupid things much smarter. Tired of all the white, bearded, and hairy fuckers! Go bald smooth and Chinese! That’s what I wrote on dating apps when I encouraged women to change it up from the norm in Portland…About Me5 min readAbout Me5 min read
Published inCrow’s Feet·Sep 25Member-onlyHow do You Want to “Go?”An Old Man’s Last Wave How do you want to go? Suddenly and without pain? Or fading over months, giving you time to say what you need to say, get stuff in order, and then have loved ones at your side? Would you utilize medical aid in dying if allowed? …Crowsfeet4 min readCrowsfeet4 min read
Sep 20Member-onlyWonder WakeCanyon Therapy — Skating Surface Flies for Steelhead on the Deschutes River Deschutes River in August. The campgrounds resemble refugee camps. Flattened tents and twisted awnings mangled by desert winds litter the dumpsters. …Rivers5 min readRivers5 min read
Published inThe Memoirist·Sep 19Member-onlyThe Peak of PotentialBeat down? It’s ok. Decay generates fertility. I load my surfboard into an old van, ready to leave the hustle of Auckland, New Zealand. I’m twenty-nine years old, gutted by the death of my dog, and still processing the loss of my brother. My mission is…Healing5 min readHealing5 min read
Published inCrow’s Feet·Sep 15Member-onlyExercise Helps Those With Parkinson’s? No Way!Movement is medicine. We don’t need a study to prove it. — I recently read an article by OHSU (Oregon Health and Science Institute) titled, Parkinson’s disease clinical trial tests exercise regimen to improve movement. I was excited to read it as my dad has Parkinson’s, and I had the honor of caring for him for two summers here in Portland, Oregon. …Mobility4 min readMobility4 min read
Published inA Parent Is Born·Sep 5Member-onlyThere are Many Ways to be StrongBattling the rise of body image issues in young men. — “Who do you think is more ripped? Captain America or Wolverine?” asked my son’s friend. “Wolverine,” answered my son, Jaxen. I listened in as I prepared dinner. Their conversation focused on how superheroes look, not what makes them unique or what they have accomplished. At one point, his friend declared…Eating Disorders4 min readEating Disorders4 min read
Sep 5Member-onlyThe Outside BendCanyon Therapy — Fly fishing on the Deschutes River during the Stonefly Hatch From the road above, the outside bend appears as churning chaos. Down at the water’s edge, I see the moving windows connecting trout to the skies above. Outside bends…Fishing4 min readFishing4 min read
Published inIn Fitness And In Health·May 24Member-onlyWhat I’ve Learned After Twenty-Two Years of YogaAnd what you can learn if you’re starting your Yoga journey — At age 50, I’m surfing better than in my thirties, I still skateboard, and I’m learning to wing foil. Twenty-two years of yoga is part of the reason for this. I primarily attend hot yoga studios in Portland, Oregon, because it’s rainy and cold much of the year. …Fitness4 min readFitness4 min read