The Distinguished Pirate

TDP’s a pen name I’ve been using since 2012 when online blogging first took its hold. To me, it describes the parts of myself that are most dominant: the curious part that’s determined to understand the world around them and the influential part whose purpose is to heal communities by inspiring new points of view.

But let me do a proper introduction: my name’s Michelle; pronouns she/her; currently based in Portland Oregon, originally from southern California. I have an undergraduate degree in architecture, which is another dominant part. My experience as a student of architecture taught me, most importantly, how to identify and solve problems at the community-level which is something I’ve not been able to shake. I’m defiant and disruptive, a preservationist and naturalist, an observer and a do-er. I repeatedly find myself gravitating towards and advocating for those in my community that are overlooked. I’m a full-time pedestrian, car-less by choice; I pick up trash every weekend, I am constantly making and creating, and I try my best to remain open to the idea that, in the end, I’ll have made a difference if I continue as I am.