Hobbies and Passions

Hobbies are great distractions from the worries and troubles that plague daily living.

Hobbies fulfill an intrinsic need. We choose our hobbies effortlessly because we are drawn to them, and the passion behind them motivates us to push the boundaries of what is possible for us. Hobbies allow us to express oneself, be oneself, master a bespoke craft, provide a thrill or joy, and get into the *'flow'* of the activity itself while removing oneself from the regular flow of life. It unclogs the cyclical thinking of your mind and can be used as a reset button to our sanity.

My hobbies tend to have a theme. They take me out of the daily grind and helps me focus on the present moment and freeing my mind from thoughts that weigh me down. They also provide the opportunity to extract myself from a problem at hand and cancel the cyclical thinking, thus allowing me to take a fresh look with a new perspective.

Woodworking

Farmhouse Table 1

Farmhouse Table 2

Planter Box

Custom Topper for Sitting/Standing Desk

Alivia Working Hard

I enjoy all activities that involve creating. Turning raw materials into something functional or pleasing to the eye is gratifying, and is a reminder of your accomplishment each time you see or use the results. There is something about wood that just makes it a joy to work with. Perhaps it is the smell, texture, versatility and range of types and densities? Perhaps because wood is a very forgiving material when mistakes are made... and I like to make mistakes? Regardless, the garage is my favorite place in the house.

Remodeling

Bathroom - Before

Bathroom - After

Bedroom - Before

Bedroom - After

“Babe, I think we should paint the bathroom.” — This is how all big projects start. You change one thing, then suddenly everything else no longer works together and it all has to go. This is how many rooms in our house got a full remodel. My wife is smart, she knows that if she has me start something, I can’t quit until it’s 100% complete and meets my high (read: anal) standards.

Photography

Hurricane Ridge, WA

Willapa River, WA

Rona Shaking Off

Our Dog Rona

Molten Falls, WA

Almost Full Moon

Full Moon

Night Sky over Thomas Lake, WA

The Atomium - Brussels, Belgium

Lake McDonald, Montana

Playa Matapalo, Costa Rica

Sutton Lake - Florence, Oregon

Long Beach, Oregon

As in life, photography is all about perspective. Seeing through different eyes and capturing it. When I have a camera in my hands, I look at the world differently and see the minutia of beauty that is contained in all things. From portraits to landscapes, on land, sea or air - there is always something worth capturing. I do this for fun but I can also provide it as a service, from real estate, portrait and aerial photography.

Skydiving

Mirror image with my brother-in-law.

Coming in for a landing.

Leaving the Air Balloon in Eloy, AZ

Which way is up?

Getting the balloon ready.

The trip up with the crew.

Barrel rolls out of the plane

Nothing better than partly cloudy.

There are not many things better than the freedom of freefall. Turns out, it is also a shortcut to learning how to live in the moment; I can guarantee you aren’t worrying about life stressors, projects at work, or relationship struggles during this time. Skydiving for me, is a meditation where I’m able to clear my head and let it all go, and at times, have sparks of insight or reflections that lead to other positive outcomes in life.

Motorcycle Touring / Camping

Riding through the Teton Mountains and Yellowstone Park

Riding around the Olympic Peninsula

Crater Lake, OR

Alivia's first motorcycle ride to her first day of school!

Annual Motorcycle Trip - Camp Spot #3

Looking over Hurricane Ridge, WA

Exposed to the elements, surrounded by beauty, and feeling the fresh wind in your face? Yes please. This is another hobby where I get lulled into the present moment and have some of my most productive and clear thinking. Hitting the open road, riding all day, and camping under the stars at night is one of my all-time favorite rejuvenating activities. The longer the duration the better, as the further you get from home and longer you set aside your typical daily routine, the more outside the box thinking that occurs. You don’t think about small problems, you ponder possibilities, ideas, and how you want to live your life. You reflect, synthesize, and process old memories and take away new learnings. In short, I solve the mysteries of life and the universe and ask new questions for my brain to consider.

Backpacking

Hiking the Alps through Germany, Austria and Italy

St. Helens - Camping with a view.

Island Lake was very difficult to get to. Rewarded with peace, quiet, and low-hanging fog.

At the peak looking down on the lakes.

Final Destination spotted in the distance!

The great outdoor beckons. Move your body and earn that beautify scenery and vistas on top of a mountain, at a hidden lake, or distant waterfalls. Nature gives us the opportunity to slow down and take in the fresh air, to expose yourself to the elements and take each moment as an adventure, regardless of conditions. Spend a few days in a remote location and notice how the stars are brighter, air is fresher, and the simple things bring greater joy. Step away from that screen or monitor with a beautiful scene background, and go step into the real thing.

Traveling

La Sagrada Familia - Barcelona, Spain

On the Danube - Budapest, Hungary

Giotto's Bell Tower - Florence, Italy

On a Hike through El Cinque Terre, Italy

Inside La Alhambra - Granada, Spain

La Alhambra - Granada, Spain

The Atomium - Brussels, Belgium

St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican City

Sistine Chapel - Vatican City

Sintra, Portugal

City Tram Ride - Lisbon, Portugal

Looking over San Sebastian, Spain

They say a life not traveled is similar to reading a single page in a book. I would have to agree. Traveling allows us to explore new ways of living and teaches us that just because we live the way we do, it isn’t the only way. Exposure of this type leads to greater understanding, compassion, and empathy for others’ perspectives and their way of life. You begin to realize that the phrase ‘it’s not weird, it’s difference’ is 100% accurate. Before starting a family, I was an avid traveler and have been to 17 countries and lived in Spain for two years. It was an experience I can’t put a price on. The world is a big place and worth exploring.

Music

Although I'm not an avid player anymore, I love to play the guitar and piano. I don’t consider myself great at either of these instruments but it is a great mental escape. I enjoy instruments that don’t require my mouth (I previously played the Sax) allowing for singing alongside.

Reading

There isn't anything more peaceful than a quiet location, a coffee or a whiskey, and reading a great book. I tend to always have a long backlog I can never get through but try to read about a book a week. Usually reading three concurrently:

A digital book I can pull up at any time.
A paperback for planned reading time.
Audiobook for on-the-go, walks, and workouts.

Reading outside with a phenomenal view is one of my favorite activities.

Reading Shoe Dog near Jefferson Mountain