Welcome to my site!

My name is Thomas E. Gort, and I live in Winona, Minnesota. Before you go any further, you should check to see if you might be a Minnesotan, too.

I was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1968. My father was in the United States Air Force. Growing up in an Air Force family, I moved around quite a bit. After Omaha, I lived in Fairbanks, Alaska; Miami, Florida; Eau Claire, Wisconsin; San Antonio, Texas; Fort Meade, Maryland; and Severn, Maryland before my Dad retired from the Air Force and went to work in the private sector. I graduated from Meade Senior High School in 1986. From there I went to the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where I received a BA degree in History in 1989.

I moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where I worked for a life insurance company by day and began taking law school classes at night. The Law School was just two blocks north of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

I married my wife, Caroline, on July 25, 1992 at Ascension Catholic Church in Bowie, Maryland. We met each other while working together at a toy store in a mall in Laurel, Maryland in November of 1986.

We decided to move to Minnesota so that I could finish law school full-time, instead of at night. It's cheaper to live out here, and we both have family nearby, so off we went. We lived just outside of the Twin Cities while I finished my JD degree at the University of Minnesota Law School.

After Law School we knew that we wanted to settle in Southeastern Minnesota near Chatfield, where Caroline's Grandfather has a farm. So we each began our respective job searches. Caroline had worked at a private school in the Twin Cities area, and was able to find a job at the Middle School in Winona. So, we packed up and moved here.

At Home

Now that you've had the opportuniy to travel the world with me, here are a few of the things I like to do at home.

Home Improvement

What we've been doing the most in the past couple of months is working on our house. It was built around 1907, and is still in great shape. We have been freshening it up with new paint, and by reclaiming the hardwood floors from decades of linoleum and carpet.

Politics

I believe that all American citizens owe it to themselves to participate in the political process. Your vote, whether for President, Senator, Member of Congress, State Representative, City Council, Mayor, or School Board, does make a difference. So, register, and vote. If nothing else, at least you'll be sending a signal to the politicians that you are paying attention, and will hold them accountable.

Your vote is important, but it's only a start. How much change do you expect from 15 minutes worth of activity? Get involved. The most accurate description of our political system is that it gives us the government we deserve.

While we're on the subject of goverment, why not take a few minutes to browse the Constitution, or other important documents? Or, if global politics are more to your liking, give Politics Today a try. Looking for more information? Try one of the many research institutions on line.

Photography

Taking photographs is a wonderful way to preserve memories. It is also an artform. The photographer's challenge is to translate a particular vision of the world into a two-dimensional image. When done well, it can provke deep emotion, and even lead to significant change.

I enjoy taking pictures, and try my best to make them pleasing to the eye. I've included images of some of my favorites on a separate page.

Life magazine is a classic source for images of our world.

Digital Journalist is an on-line magazine about photojournalism.

Literature

Don Quixote is one of my all-time favorite books.

The Master Works of Western Civilization are a fantastic source of ideas and philosophies.

Fans and students of William Shakespeare will be happy to know that the Complete Works are available on line.

The World's Greatest Detective! Sherlock Holmes.

Dilbert is a prime specimen of its particular literary genre.

Sports

I'm a big sports fan, and believe in rooting for the home team. So, you can bet that I'll be cheering for the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, and Minnesota Timberwolves. However, there's still a part of me that pulls for the Baltimore Orioles.

Music

As far as I'm concerned, there are only two types of music: Music I like, and Music I don't like. I prefer not to limit my exposure to anyone's art because of an arbitrary label. That said, I am of the opinion that MELISSA ETHERIDGE ROCKS!

Also, if you're looking for an energetic dance and music show, the Grammy Award winning Riverdance can't be beat.

In addition to being a wonderfully entertaining show, Riverdance also has a story to tell. After seeing the show in Minneapolis, and having watched the Radio City Music Hall video, I've developed some ideas about what it all means.

The End

I hope you've enjoyed this little journey through my life, because I certainly have.

Let me know what you think of my site.

Last modified: September 8, 1998

Thomas E. Gort