Life is a flight of the alone to the alone.
— Plotinus
The life of the wanderer is an interesting one. Sometimes exciting and expansive; sometimes lonely and self-collecting. To mark the journey with milestones is critical. It gives a sense of space, distance and efficacy.
I have spent most all of my life creating artifacts—cultural, spiritual, experiential artifacts. I am quite proud of the trail of breadcrumbs I have left behind me. The never-finding-but-always-seeking has taken me many wonderful places. And the exhaustion of giving birth gives way to rest and solitude. It’s all part of the process.
I spent more than a decade touring the United States performing my songs for tens of thousands of seekers. I have created many spaces that host all forms of celebration and ritual. My creations are now young adults, so to speak, living lives of their own. And so I get to help others give birth to their own dreams and passions. Learn more about that in my GUIDANCE section.
From There To Here
May we all become. May we all return.
In my second book of poetry on grief and love, I wrestle with the way-things-ought-to-be and the way-things-are. At the heart of this contemplative set of meditatations, the readers are asked to reconsider where they are going and what we are collectively pining for. If there is a genuine calling, it must be the calling back to one’s own true Self, beyond the conditioning, compromise and confusion. I invite you on a journey of returning...to the truth of who we are and the truth of how-it-is.
Simplexity
Neo-classical chaos with noise and melody.
No matrix or map; just emotion in the form of music. Created in Portland, OR in early 2023.
How does it make you feel?
Good Morning, Sleepwalker
Becoming is each creature’s birthright, its highest calling—its very reason for being.
I wrote this collection of poetry to explore what it means to awaken—in life and in love. One part spiritual-seeker’s memoir and one part rapturous love letter, the pages weave a tapestry of sensuousness and wisdom. Remembrance is a central theme of this work. Self-remembering is the path to freedom, to genuine love and to the forever-becoming.
Prose is too prosaic to articulate the deep language of the spirit. So I had to remember my mother tongue, Poetry. And then the floodgates opened and I wrote all that I heard. After much sifting and editing, the work was complete.
I like to think of this book as a set of wisdom-koans for awakening.
The Cobalt Season
Music speaks from the heart to the heart.
My life has always been full of music. I hated reading sheet music, so I learned to play piano and guitar by ear. I led a band in Southern California called TIMBER for many years, playing as far away from home as Romania.
When I departed from the world of Christendom, I found music to be the best path toward healing the grief of loss. The Cobalt Season was just this venture. We recorded and produced four distinct albums, three of which are available on Spotify and through a few online resellers.
Not dissimilar from Hesse’s Siddhartha, these albums follow the arc of a young man’s search for meaning and purpose. Many meanderings and a few dead-ends. But always longing.
It was my privilege to share my songs with so many. In so many ways, my supporters and fans helped create the songs. And for that I am grateful to have participated.
ENSO Urban Winery + Tasting Lounge
I just wanted a neighborhood winery and wine bar that left pretense at the door.
Too much of wine is stuffy. Who needs that BS? Wine should be enjoyed, not fussed over. And so when we opened ENSO Winery ten years ago, I had one intention in mind—ease. I wanted people to feel comfortable to explore, ask questions and relax.
We make our wines in SE Portland with locally-sourced grapes. Yes, it all happens right here. And when we’re not making wine, we’re hosting weddings, parties and other celebrations.
Our local culture magazine awarded us “Bar of the Year” and really picked up on the vibe we were putting out, calling ENSO the future of NW wine. An honor.
While our hours are modified for COVID, you can visit me most evenings behind the bar. Our website will tell you all you need to know.
Portland Sangria
When life gives you bonus rosé, you make sangria!
Sometimes accidents—and a fist-full of hustle—lead to the greatest of discoveries. And a brand was born. Many fits and spurts along the way. Exploding containers and customers who couldn’t get enough. All a part of the learning and discovering.
Brand and re-brand. Dial in the recipes. Constantly improve. Never too sweet, always your perfect sangria. And in a can, which means you can take it anywhere.
Want in on this tasty treat? You can order online and I’ll ship it to you for free!