: About Me

I hope I don't come off sounding too conceited if I describe myself as sort of a minor league, new-age renaissance man. That's with a major emphasis on the "minor" of course, as I believe it's essential to retain some semblance of humility or, at the very least, a healthy sense of humor ;?D And I use that term in its most general sense, not the classic definition, but I do feel that it fits considering the course my life has taken. Although I should also add that none of it was planned or even imagined but instead, much like an accidental tourist, I've simply had the good fortune to be in the right place at the right time.

I've managed to live in or travel to a dozen countries and met so many interesting people, fellow travelers and teachers who have taught me a bit of wisdom along the way. And I've tried to share that wisdom and pass it along when possible, just my way of exploring this world and maybe shining a little light for others, even if only for just brief moments at a time. I forget like everyone else, lol, but so it goes ;?D

Throughout my many years of living I've managed to soak up a good bit of knowledge and gain a broad range of experience in my travels and I'm not done yet, not by a long shot. Although I've put down roots here in Iowa for now, I hope to eventually travel again to further and even more exotic lands to see what there is to see, and learn what I can, always looking for lessons or a teacher with another bit of wisdom, the spirit willing. Of course I find it easy to slide back into the usual cynicism that seems to be the trademark of this age, but I do make an effort to remind myself to leave the door open a crack, give everything a possibility and to keep an open mind.

I find that I'm interested in so many things, or at least I've tried to maintain a healthy curiosity about most things not the least of which is politics (as you can tell from some of my articles, heh) . That said I will add that after living in Idaho for a decade this no longer includes deer hunting, Nascar, four-wheeling and redneck jokes, heh. In fact one of the reasons I left Idaho and moved to Iowa City was to escape that bastion of ultra-conservative Republican right-wing nut jobs, (ok, that MAY be a little harsh, lol, and if you are from there and aren't one, then of course I'm not talking about you, ;?). I love Iowa City however exactly because it is a lively place, politically progressive, and in general folks here tend to be much more open minded.

I'm divorced and the father of a wonderful 18 year old daughter, Rhiannon, who continues to impress and delight me, and makes me so proud to be her Dad (that's her beside me in the pic during a vacation in Key West). She is the most important person in the world to me, and knowing that there's some part of me that has made her the wonderful person she is, and too that there's a part of her now alive within me as well, makes me realize that if nothing else I ever do amounts to a hill of beans, I will always have my daughter to give my life it's greatest meaning.

Writing is a hobby for me and one that I hope to hone and sharpen until some day I'll be able to write something worthy of being published. That is a dream of mine which, if it were to come true, would be the second most important achievement in a life that, so far, has been filled with joy and sorrow, surprising accomplishments, many defeats and the occasional miracle which makes me realize that it's all worth while. If I had to sum up my life in one sentence, I think this Jimmy Buffet lyric fits; "Some of it's magic and some of it's tragic, but I've had a good life all the way."

;?D

Politics, News & Issues > US Elections How Republicans can win back the White House in 2012

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THE REPUBLICAN STRATEGY TO WIN BACK THE WHITE HOUSE IN 2012 The Republicans have in place a strategy which could very well win them the Presidential election in 2012. This is not hyperbole, nor blatant fear mongering, but in my honest opinion a very real possibility. It is possible because of several factors which have come together, not unlike a grand alignment of the planets, the portents of which, however, casts a forbidding shadow over the political landscape and threatens to block the reelection of the most promising political leader of our time. Now there are many, and especially tho...

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