The Past

I’ve served as a Military Policeman in the first Gulf War.  My fictionalized story of being assigned to the 403rd Military Police Camp and the Joint Interrogation Facility was published in the Fall 2004 issue of ZYZZYVAMagazine and republished in the Fall 2009 issue.  My photographs have been published in B&W Magazine, The Best of Photography Annual 2000 and 2002, Photographer’s Forum, Popular Photography, and elsewhere.  I hold an MA in English from Sonoma State University and I’ve taught as an adjunct professor.

The Present

I’m currently documenting California’s Vietnam War Memorials for an upcoming exhibition opening on November 11, 2012 at the Petaluma campus of the Santa Rosa Junior College. I’m also at work finishing his Gulf War manuscript, “Sand Like Talcum, and launching a photography journal.

Philosophy of Life

Jack London once said that “The three great things are: GOOD HEALTH, WORK and a PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE. I may add, nay, I must add a fourth – SINCERITY.”  I think London’s right, these are all things to value.

My philosophy of life is paraphrased from Kant’s Categorical Imperative: don’t befriend someone because of what they can do for you, befriend them for who they are.  This makes living the authentic life much easier.

If you check my Google Profile you’ll see that my superpower is that I can find beauty anywhere.  That’s a strength I value. We can view all negative situations as bad but the truth is, with a slight shift in perspective, we can find that silver lining that makes the experience valuable.