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.

Journal

I decided to create an interest-based space in this section as a way to continue introducing myself. This first section is a bookshelf that shows you what I’m reading. I love reading and collecting books! This year my interests are: memoirs, women writers and fiction. Here’s what I’ve read in 2026 so far:

Besides books I also enjoy collecting natural objects from my environment. One of the ways I practice this is by foraging in my neighborhood. Here are some of my favorites:

Without a shred of doubt the most influential element of my life is, and has been for the last 7 years, my relationship with my 7 year old companion, Ma’am. Because of her, my heart opened in a new way to all non-human species. I see her spirit reflected back to me in everything around me.