Growing up in a small Indiana town leaves one with a sense of how important the imagination is. If I wasn't dreaming about hitting the game winning shot in the NBA, or playing a guitar solo in front of a crowd; my mind was on those distant and mystical lands that I absorbed through literature. It was through the refuge of the mind that inspired me to venture beyond the monotony of crops, social conservatism, and religious fundamentalism which are commonplace in many small U.S. towns. The kindness, trust, and simplicity of small town life are values I still however appreciate immensely.
After high school I made my exodus from small town Indiana to the other extreme: New York City and Los Angeles. I was an aspiring guitar player among a myriad of dreamers. That astonishing experience deserves to be told elsewhere, but I witnessed firsthand the hardships that many face in the inner cities. Folk blues was my musical specialty although I performed with many musicians utilizing many different styles. You can still catch me playing today, but it is only in private and my focus is primarily on classical music. My experience with guitar has also been shared through instruction. As a guitar instructor, I have taught countless lessons to individuals ranging from age eight to age fifty.
The U.S. Navy was another significant influence in my life. My father's sea stories left a favorable impression on me growing up and I eventually sought to discover a few sea tales of my own. The travels I experienced include trips to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Bali, China, Indonesia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Each place providing an adventure in itself. There was also involvement off the coast of Iraq which was easily one of the most stressful periods of my life. I was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan for my entire enlistment. My first ship was the U.S.S. Curts which is a frigate. My second was the U.S.S. John S. McCain, a destroyer.
I went back to Indiana to obtain a college degree after serving my military enlistment. Social work was my major, psychology my minor, and a certification on drug and alcohol abuse were all acquired through Indiana University. My baccalaureate degree was vigorously obtained in a little over three years. This was done while working full-time at a youth center which assisted at-risk adolescents.
In Japan, where I had resided several years as an English teacher, I have come to understand the struggles of immigration. Language barriers can easily produce obstacles that impair ambition. It was also quite valuable to gather external perspectives regarding American culture which are not always as positive as our nationalism contends.
My hobbies include reading philosophy and classics (in which I am a book collector). Strength training and snowboarding are favorites as well. I am an avid NFL fan, play basketball regularly, and have participated in two marathons thus far.
I have been married for over three years now. I owe my wife an infinite amount of gratitude for her kindness and support which seems to contain a neverending supply. No children as of yet, but they are in the near future plan. As are establishing career oriented goals which include a long-term commitment towards an agency dedicated to empowering the disadvantaged members of society. |
