Meet Geoff Peterson
Dignified Pet Services presents 'People in the Neighborhood'
This Florida-born son of a Navy man has been an Oregonian for 20 years. He gets along with most, is pretty sure he could live on burritos, and he hopes people see in him humor, creativity, and friendliness.
An accomplished videographer, Geoff also plays a mean bass guitar — in fact his most prized possession is a bass his father bought him when he was 15. “On the way to visit my parents’ friends we stopped at a guitar shop. My dad said, 'Okay, we're going to get you a bass.’ The beauties were like $700 bucks, and I just couldn't make my dad do that,” Geoff muses. “So I found a Memphis, kind of an off-brand Fender copy. It sounded good, played really well, and I've played it for 22 years. It's funny, I've looked a few times in years since, and found nothing I like as well.”
While his day job isn’t related to his degree in film production, his aspirations are. “I freelance — lighting, camera, audio. I’m working on a documentary, and narrative short films, with the goal of being a feature filmmaker.”
While working at the NW Film Center last year Geoff did a documentary on homeless youth. “It was a huge collaborative event,” he says happily. “It premiered at the Portland Art Museum.”
Who in the field does he admire? “The Cohen Brothers. Millers Crossing is one of my favorites. And Blood Simple gets me every time — it’s the only film with a director’s cut shorter than the original film.”
Also a fan of obscure video games, Geoff seeks indie games that are “a bit quirky or weird. I get somewhat captivated,” he laughs. “Secretly” he hopes to launch a board game with his brother. “We’ve just gotten serious about it, with the goal of getting it published and starting a company.”
Geoff’s music is punk rock. “What my mom called a ‘phase’ started at 15 . . . I actually celebrated that my ‘phase’ was now old enough to buy alcohol,” he laughs. No surprise then that the shoe that’s so him is . . . “Chucks. The de-facto shoe of punk rock. But then Nike bought them and they started being made in sweat shops. I still have my Chucks, but they're pre-Nike.”
Geoff’s love of animals is a soft thread woven through his very fabric. Married to Daniela Iancu, he is a fan, supporter and board member of her nonprofit, Animal Community Talks (ACT). Their family also includes Maya.
“When we got the house, there was a note on the door saying ‘Do NOT let the cat in — she thinks this is her house.’ I worked on the house from November ‘til April, and every day this little long-haired tuxy girl hung out while I ate lunch. When we found out she was stray and the previous owner had fed her, we got her to the vet. She had stomatitis — was actually in pain when she ate. They had to take every tooth except one and she still loves dry food! It's crazy. She's been with us 7 years now.”
What’s so great about coming home? “Definitely Maya. I get home first, put my stuff down, and she's right there. I pet her and pet her, she makes her little kitty muffins, curls up on my lap, and naps. For 30-40 minutes, it’s just me and Maya. Waiting for Daniela to come home.
About our Sponsor
Dignified Pet Services has served the Portland-area community for 13 years. In addition to their core business of cremation and memorial services, Dignified co-sponsors the beloved annual Service of Remembrance at The Old Church in downtown Portland, as well as serving as wonderful supporters and friends of pets and those working in animal welfare. Proprietors Michael, Randy and Hunter live in Sherwood.
Christy Caballero writes from her soul about animals and their humans. She lives with three big greyhounds and one slightly neurotic foster greyhound -- who never wants to leave. Ever.