What makes you feel nostalgic?
Music.
When I get lost in a familiar song or album it always takes me back.
Movies.
It’s hard not to revisit familiar favorites and not let your mind race back to the first time you saw them. The impact they had on your developing years.
You get to build your perfect space for reading and writing. What’s it like?
I open the door and step into a normal looking office, desk, chair, computer, and that’s it.
This set up sits in the middle of the room on top of a soft hardwood floor.
Above me gentle lights cast a glow upon the room. I sit down and pick up a remote as I turn on the computer. Eyes glance at the white walls and the peaceful scenes set within the picture frames.
I take a breath.
Thoughts form.
Creative entity begins to possess me. I feel it moving through my body.
I aim the remote at the far wall where a gigantic window lives. This window goes from floor to ceiling and it covers the entire wall.
I punch a button.
The wall splits and opens, rolling to the left and right, noiseless, seamless.
In front of me now is an opening that spills out onto a sandy white beach, palm trees dance on either side of this opening, spreading their way across the beach. Providing the right amount of shade on the room, which is never too sunny or warm, perfect temperature, perfect light.
I breathe in.
I breathe out.
Fingers land on the keyboard.
Ocean waves wrap my mind in ambient sounds as that creative entity assumes full control.
I am now just a passenger, along for the ride, willing to watch, as my fingers tap across the keys.
What is your all time favorite automobile?
For some reason I got hooked on the Chevy Chevelle Super Sport – the 454 model – the one with the most power. As I have aged it no longer holds the same sway over me as it used to but for a time this was my go to car. It even found its way into the stories I wrote.
These days, as I think about the environment, the future of the planet, my kids and their kid’s future, a new dream car has appeared. One that is probably more powerful than my original dream car.
That new car is the electric Porsche Taycan. Charges fast. Drives fast. And just looks amazing on the road. That now is my new dream car and one that might indeed find its way into future stories I write.
How are you creative?
Writing short stories and novels.
Podcasting and YouTubeing. I have discovered a passion for editing videos that I never knew I had. I love finding a visual in my head and seeing it brought to life on screen.
I also like writing poems and haiku. Good small bursts of creative energy.
YouTube Channels: Verse of Nature
Podcasts: Disembodied Screams
When are you most happy?
Sipping on a great cup of coffee.
Taking a hike.
Taking a stroll on the beach or sitting and watching the waves on the beach.
Watching a great movie.
Getting lost in a book – Agatha Christie or Stephen King are good for that.
Working on a creative project.
Happy times with my family.
Finding music that absorbs you.
Hanging with my cats – purring can relieve any stress.
Naps.
And sometimes simply opening my door, stepping outside, and into the fresh air and sun.
List your top 5 grocery store items.
Milk – it’s probably the number one thing for us.
Pasta/Mac and Cheese – kids – it’s an easy dinner.
Oats – overnight oats are the best thing for breakfast.
Blueberries.
Lima Beans – my son eats these almost everyday.
Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?
I can’t say I ever think that far ahead.
Sure, I plan, I set goals, hopes, expectations, but do I look towards a fixed spot in time and anxiously await it.
I don’t.
I get up each day and set my feet in motion and try to live in the now.
What cities do you want to visit?
New York – would love to see a Broadway show.
Sydney Australia – just gives me a reason to visit that country.
Any city in Europe or any city in any tropical port of call, or just pick a city, anywhere in the world and send me there.
As you see, not many that I wouldn’t visit. I love to travel and any excuse to go is a good enough excuse for me.
Tell us one thing you hope people say about you.
That I am nice. That’s it. I always want to be a good nice guy who is always willing to help or lend an ear for a conversation with anyone I meet. In this world I feel like more people need to quit complaining, quit arguing, find common ground, and just be nice.
What are your favorite physical activities or exercises?
Biking and Hiking.
I love getting out into nature and the fresh air. Restores the soul.
Does napping count? Best way to recharge the human batteries.
What’s your favorite cartoon?
Scooby Do was the one that popped to mind. Been a fan of it for many years and it was always one I loved to watch as a kid.
Do you ever see wild animals?
Deer, birds, and squirrels. That’s what I see the most. We also have raccoons and possums that occasionally come up on the back deck. I’ve heard owls and coyotes but never seen them.
Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?
Key West. It lived up to the hype in my head. Warm. Beautiful. Sunny. Great way to spend a week in December. I managed to find a time that wasn’t too crowded and a quiet hotel. My wife and I walked all over that town. I would love to go back.
Share five things you’re good at.
Are you more of a night or morning person?
Morning – another easy one to answer.
Currently laying in bed – wide awake at 4:30 AM – writing this.
What are your feelings about eating meat?
If you enjoy meat then great. I am not going to police your eating habits. I have enjoyed my fair share but as of late I am leaning more towards being a vegetarian. Still not there – chicken and fish are still in my diet – but less and less chicken as I get older.
What are your two favorite things to wear?
Easiest question so far.
A Pittsburgh Steelers hoody that I wear constantly. I’ve even replaced the zipper because I wear it so much.
My Hey Dude shoes. Constant companions on my feet.
What technology would you be better off without, why?
I’d like to say my phone but I am writing this post on it so without it I couldn’t do that. Plus there are many benefits to a phone – creative benefits – that are nice to have for a mind like mine. Very useful so I’d be lying if I said a phone.
But there is one thing I would be better off without. Streaming media. I could learn to live without streaming and go back to records or CDs or DVD’s if I had to.
I loved the idea of streaming everything a few years back, seemed simpler, until greed took over.
Now, instead of one app for many things you have many apps for one thing, and don’t even get me started on exclusive series for one service or the price. It’s just getting out of control. I think that’s the bit of technology I could lose and I would not miss.
Name your top three pet peeves.
1: Traffic. Ridiculous amount of it where I live. Takes forever to go a mile if you don’t find the right time of day to get out and get your errands done.
2: One train that always runs when I am trying to get my daughter to school early. Once a week she has to be at chorus by 8 and I think only once this train hasn’t interfered with my routine.
3. Climate change deniers and flat earthers. People need to stop believing social media so much. Do your own research and form your own opinions.
Who are your current most favorite people?
How about my family?
My wife and kids give me tons of love and support and happiness and strength. They help me get through each day.
How about politically?
Bernie Sanders. I have really started to realize in the U.S. that both political parties have more issues than I ever realized and both have many faults. Bernie is one of the few in that system that seems legit like he really is trying to change things. Hard to trust any politician 100% but I feel like he’s a relatively safe bet.
How about musically?
I have been listening to a lot of extreme heavy metal as of late and two singers that have risen through the ranks as favorites are Will Ramos of Lorna Shore and Travis Ryan of Cattle Decapatation. What they do vocally isn’t humanely possible. Love listening to them and the bands they front. Current drummer of Cattle Dave McGraw probably should be mentioned too. He does things on the drums that leave you awe struck.
A Poetry Journey 
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