Precious Metal Blog

About me:

I’m a 35 year old man, dude, bloke, misfit or whatever else you choose. I am married to my great and wonderful wife Leah. We just hit our sixth year anniversary, although we’ve been together for ten years total. We have a great relationship. Although we are very different we are very much the same person at heart and constantly support each other in our endeavors. I have three great kids, Xena (13 years old) and Alex (5 years old) and Colin (1 year old). I never thought I would have kids, but having them now I could never imagine not having them. They bring a happiness to my life that I have never experienced before. They also bring out the kid in me which is kinda fun sometimes….

For years I worked in the graphic design field, but things slowed down quite a bit and I had to look for something a little more stable. I was lucky to have some friends that worked for a national cable company, that has local offices, and they put in a good word or two for me. I’ve been working in this industry for almost a year now, and feel more secure about my future and career than I ever did before. The company is amazing to work for and the things I am able to do to help people out via the company makes it that much more rewarding.

I started studying Buddhism about 4 years ago. It felt like something was missing from my life and for whatever reason, the middle path opened for me. I am still a novice when it comes to the technical aspects of the Buddha’s teachings. But, the core of the teachings– generosity and compassion are very simple to understand. The key is putting them into play and sticking to them, that’s where the practice comes into play, and I could use plenty of practice. I have no specific lineage or tradition that I follow, maybe one day that will come into play. I feel though that Buddhism as a way of life is meant for us to engage the world with the things we learn. Whether that’s something as simple as smiling at someone, a hello or any other act of kindness to other sentient beings I may encounter.

This blog came to be via an article I wrote for The Worst Horse. The original article, appropriately titled Precious Metal, can be viewed here. The Worst Horse editor and brainchild Rod, wanted me to draw parallels between the two thing, besides my family, that meant the most to me– Buddhism and Death Metal. I was involved with a Death Metal band, Leukorrhea, for 8 years before life took it’s course and my career and “spiritual path” came to fruition.

I am just a guy trying to have some fun, help a few people and raise some awareness on issues I think ought to be raised. Have fun while you’re here and feel free to leave comments and interact!

"A man's errors are his portal of discovery." - James Joyce

"We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts, we make our world." - Buddha

"We must become the change we want to see." - Gandhi