Male. 26. American by birth.

Simply, with some sympatic attitudes and understanding, I’m just happy to be around. I enjoy that my families are from Germany/ Scotland and Eastern Europe/ Lithuania before they all landed in the US and A. I’d like to visit these places someday.

Essentially, I'm here because I have nothing better to do. This is not to say I don't value Flickr and film/ digital pursuits- in fact, just the opposite. I've been infatuated with the special qualities of light since I can remember being in a stroller. Our propensity as complex social and emotional beings to project meaning through our sensual experience it has always been a truly flabbergasting thing for me. A Jiffy of that trial by error is really a fun process, the exposure of film or projection of that image by lens- I celebrate that quest and obsession in these catalogs. Thanks to everyone for sharing their interests and efforts.

Woah, DUde! You may've noticed I'm from Northern California where, as George Lucas once quipped, "we're all Buddhist up here". While some may disagree with that statement, I can attest without hesitation to the spiritual capacity held in the land here that would support a fortunate stay.

I grew up 'round these parts and would be the first to enthusiastically invite anyone so inspired to take a good long look at the gifts available a hundred miles in any direction.

Marin County and Sonoma County- both immediately North of the famed Golden Gate Bridge that familiar span which facilitates an iconic (if not convenient) escape out of San Francisco- are rich with inspiring places to soak your head. So many spacious spots are steeped with an extraordinary quality both immaculate and profound. Even (or especially) without a camera there's a lot to be gained- or cultivated, perhaps- by the adventurous or contemplative souls who find themselves attracted through this spiritual dimension.

While I can't say enough about the value of the Native people's effort to live in harmony with nature, they were in fact very nearly wiped out by the colonization, or invasion, or the missionary system and the United cultures of greed and perpetual lack that is the "modern" concern. Way, way, way-back issues of local papers will attest to the vicious nature of local customs of persecution and, in some cases, genocide.

All the same, if anyone can find their way here to appreciate the open spaces and beauty still yet protected from these dangers, naught will be in vain.

Artistically, I enjoy the prize of youth and innocence, the relative beauty of form, function and, most of all, the immeasurable value of any one persons' greatest gift- life itself. A human rebirth is certainly rife with an inherent opulence- the opportunity to enjoy and appreciate and the most gorgeous offerings abound in each chance we get to help out someone else or do something that brings solace or joy to another.

For whatever reason, I enjoy the idea that a space or an object, a moment or concern may be capable of requesting a certain audience or capture from a witness- if an individual can listen to their heart. Maybe it takes some small measure of capability of subduing the monkey-mind momentarily (as DT Suzuki's called it) to appreciate that tenuous relationship and perhaps it isn't even possible in many ways but sometimes I believe there are degrees of aptitude anyone can express within a certain framework.

Sometimes I consider taking photographs a partnership of sorts, much like a network of human relationships throughout time and space (in terms of complexity of subtle variables) and times I just keep asking myself to get out of the way. As you can see from my stream, I have varying degrees of success in these matters, being attracted to the odd material or scene.

You can get an idea of my interests from the favorites I've found. I appreciate the female form in full, without concern for socio-political and marketed dogma or the disease of the "weight watchers" phenomena. I'm fond of eastern mystical traditions and western indigeonous cultures. I like healthy food and the sedentary experience of the big screen. Simple living and kindness and giving, service and selflessness in full. Quiet enjoyment, gracious concern for others and the objective experience of a given moment- add a healthy dose of apolitical behavior, individualism and joy- independant of concern for status or materialism at heart- and it's a beautiful day.

I've always been keen on open communication with children and with the natural world, be it dogs or cats or the like and whatever else I may profess I am unabashedly goofy just as they sometimes can be.

If you'd like to write just get in touch. If you want to see my pages for a thematic presentation of groupings (set up in pages of 18 pictures) all "friends" will have to sign out and see my main pages from the variable 'distance' of a neophyte. If your signed-in, the otherwise 'private' photos will thwart this attempt at appeasing my aesthetic obsessions and it may not look entirely groovy, only a little bit so by comparison.

All the best to all of you,

your friend in pictures,

:)

Northern California Bay Area, US and A