The Mikes

The Mikes is a light-hearted yet deeply introspective exploration of my eight lives. Through these pages, I hope you find laughter, inspiration, and perhaps a fresh perspective on your own life's journey.

The Mikes delves into my family's immigration journey, explores my modest yet privileged origins, and contemplates my personal and professional passage. Life is full of surprises and serendipity. My narrative is replete with twists and turns, unexpected changes, and challenges in many forms. These unforeseen events, ranging from joyous to neutral to painful, have steered my life's course, often catalyzing personal growth and fulfillment. I often marvel at how my life has transformed from its humble beginnings in the provincial Lower Rodi Road neighborhood, or even further back, how it contrasts with my subsistence farming ancestors in barren Southern Italy.

Mike Laus is a Portland, Oregon flâneur, coffee roaster, urban hops farmer, and captain of his backyard deck. His alter ego, Alonzo Hazelferk, plays standup bass guitar in the Alonzo Hazelferk Trio, a band that tours to sellout crowds across the globe in Mike's imagination.

Dr. Laus has had a multifaceted professional career, taking on roles such as an educator in rehabilitation centers and public schools, a university professor, and a healthcare manager. He has also served as an organizational development consultant, showcasing a distinctive blend of strong academic credentials and a proven record of practical experience. For many decades, he has shared his talents and expertise with a wide array of diverse organizations.