My experiences have often defined me. It's a good thing. My faith in God and love for the Bible has also defined me and this also is a good thing. I live authentically and have no shame for the ways I live (I  make mistakes like everyone else and will ask forgiveness for those mistakes and then move on). I seek love and am loyal when people are loyal to me as well and often even when they aren't. This has betrayed me a time or two, even when I am accused of doing things that the other party is actually doing or looking to do. It sucks. I'm not ashamed that I've lived out of my car so much. It's freeing. I work hard at my jobs, I pay my debtors when I can. I pay to Caesar what is Caesar's as I'm instructed, even though this government is mis-using my money in sick ways, lying to us, and doing severe damage instead of the good it could be doing.  I've worked in restaurants for 20 years now, and I've enjoyed most of it. Working in 13 National Parks, Napa Valley, the Sonoma Coast, Big Sur, lakeside mountain lodges, Mackinac Island and even a couple strip clubs for a couple years has given me a lot amazing experiences with places, people and landscapes. I've taken up photography and gone to film school. I've been certified as a Sommelier and crafted unique cocktail menus. I've climbed mountains, dated strippers (briefly..), explored deep canyons, watched the sunset over the Pacific more times than I can count. Iv'e drunk uber-expensive wine, served celebrities and hung out in the bright lights of Vegas over 20 times. This is why I'm writing a book about my travels, starting with the distinction in lifestyle, spiritual growth and adventure that has come with working in the National Parks. But all good things must come to an end, and I feel changes in the air. Emotional and career wise. I'm not excited anymore about getting a huge list of certifications in alcohol based degrees. I suffered a couple serious illnesses recently and it put things in perspective. It's a perspective I had, but had been lost a bit, and I needed a kick in the ass. Since moving to Boulder in August, I've grown by leaps and bounds in my life and I'm grateful. But I always was drawn to the arts crowd more than anyone. And I always loved crafting my own products as much as anything else in the restaurant work. And being outdoors and on the road makes me happier than just about anything. And I've missed out a lot by working my busy restaurant life. And lost a little focus and balance on the other aspects of life that make me happy. And I'm tired of seeing the unnecessary suffering going on that should be healed and the corruption that needs and can be fought against. And the restaurant lifestyle is just not inspiring.  So here I sit. Ready for and making changes. Getting back into the car and just driving. Hopping on planes, then hopping into a car at my destination and driving. And walking, talking to people, tasting new flavors, seeing new sights. Visiting the museums and artisans. Writing more. Getting errands done so I'm more efficient at the important stuff. Pulling open the laptop and writing, without thinking about it. Planning adventures.  Spending time with people who are an inspiration rather than bringing me down. People who are sparked about life and giving to it. And that's where I'm at right now. Today I became a member of the Boulder Digital Arts group. I spent time with an inspirational art and theater worker. I'm getting prepped for new headshots as an actor and am applying for local acting gigs. I'm posting a casting call for scripts I'm working on. I've returned to the movie theaters for joy and entertainment. I'm doing. I'm living. And I'm being me. And there's a lot to come to show you. I'm breaking open. In a good way. Hell, maybe I'll even have a kid or 2. One never knows...

I've been a bad blogger. I've been a great traveler and adventurer the last few months, though!! I need to write more often. I need to show you my pictures. I've been bad. I've been lacking my own computer for a year now (not the best excuse) and have been scraping to afford a new one, or at least get financing on a Mac so that lingering videos can be finished editing, my outlined non-fiction book on working in National Parks and resorts can be further written and this beloved website can be kept more up to date. In the last few months, I've explored the Bohemian culture of Salt Lake City, visited museums throughout California, climbed many high mountains in Colorado and New Mexico, visited more vegan restaurants and craft breweries than I can possibly remember (good thing I take lots of photos), visited a dozen National Parks (many of them new to me), hung out in Taos, Santa Fe, Boulder, Aspen, Telluride, Denver, Vegas, LA, Durango and..well..you get the point. I've been active. Many of the adventures have involved my partner Lynn, many have been solo. And I have a lot of catching up to do. It's been educational, fun, hard work and a great pleasure. I have now landed in Boulder for a good while. It seems a good spot to land. New opportunities as a bartender and Sommelier at a wonderful farm-table restaurant called The Black Cat. Getting inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of this town to further create my own organic and artisan products. Writing the book I've wanted to write, making the films I've wanted to film. Brewing more batches of tasty organic beer and bohemian root beer. Preparing for the Advanced level tests for the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Certified Cicerone test. Starting anew. Building on the old and beloved.
And maybe I'll just attach a slideshow of adventure to this to give a taste of the last few months...

Infidelicacy, a surealist horror script I wrote with actor extrodinaire, good friend and writer Matt Baker in L.A., is now officially in pre-production, after years of sitting on the desk waiting to be made. Starring Matt in the lead role, and (tentatively) Machelle Allman, Ally Jones, Calvin Green and Larry Laverty in other lead and supporting roles, this is a most exciting project combining elements of Woody Allen, Hitchcock, horror and surrealism, all with an original take and style that Matt and myself have brought. I've chosen experienced stage actress and director Dianna Grogg as my Assistant Director, and had a great meeting with her and local filmmaker John Harden in Santa Rosa for an early meeting to talk about crewing, funding, and early generalities. Also attached is Art Design/Direction by celebrated artists Lynn Strough and Robbie Geiss. As we move forward with locations (some scouted in San Francisco and Petaluma) we look at assembling a top-notch crew in the technical departments, followed by the gear, F/X-costuming-props, onto solidifying the locations and all actors, followed by early shooting/test shots and the funding campaign. This is all exciting for all of us, and I look forward to every step of the process, and keeping everyone tuned!