PlanetariumDude

Update
28 April 2023

Greetings to All-

I started working as a volunteer doing astronomy education, which led to work in planetariums. I enjoy sharing the majesty of the cosmos. I also do local advocacy to promote dark skies and fight light pollution, which destroys the beauty of the night sky and disrupts natural cycles in all living things.

My ethnic background is Czech, Dutch, and German. I live with my wife and youngest son. We have a cat, a flock of chickens, and rabbits. We are fortunate to live within walking distance of the beach and in a mild climate where we can grow food throughout the year. Both when my garden is successful and when it isn't, it helps to keep me humble.

I am intrigued by the lives of others in the world and Postcrossing helps scratch that itch. A favorite astronomy author introduced me to the word "xenophilia" and the message that those different from ourselves are "worth treasuring." We enjoyed hosting visiting Japanese students in the past and now I develop worldwide connections with postcards. In today's largely virtual world, I try to appreciate tangible everyday objects, slow processes, and personal interactions. Postcrossing seems to be a brilliant combination of old and new in a world that often moves too quickly. May the postcards we send and receive provide precious moments of surprise, insight, reflection, and goodwill.

Even if brief, I hope to receive a personal message from you that tells me a little about your point of view and your everyday life. I am open to receiving whatever card you care to send, but if you want ideas, you can send me something historical, odd, humorous, artistic, or all of the above. I LOVE propaganda art and also appreciate various styles of architecture, with a side interest in Brutalism. If the card represents something about you, your country, or your view of the world, all the better. Maybe you can teach me something new about astronomy or space science with a card featuring a local observatory or planetarium. When I send postcards I try to use domestic stamps to make the postcard a little more interesting. I may add a stamp from my late brother's collection, often sending it back to its country of origin.

I only know English* but am trying to learn Italian. In 2023 I finally left North America for the first time to teach astronomy in Italy for 10 days, also visiting the Netherlands and Scotland. There don't seem to be too many Italian Postcrossers, but if you know the language and want to challenge me, mandami un messaggio in italiano! Or if you want to send me a message in your native language I'll do my best to try to translate via friends ... or Google.

Best Wishes,

~Andy K.

*If someone who knows two languages is called bilingual and someone who knows three languages is trilingual, what do you call a person who knows one language?
Answer: An American