CURRENT MISSION

To find all the poetry that there is to be found in our world. And then steal it.

ABOUT ME

I'm a poet, traveler, student of literature and religion, and lover of language. I live in Martin, Slovakia, and teach at a bilingual high school.

PHILOSOPHY

"Suddenly I realize / That if I stepped out of my body I would break / Into blossom." - James Wright

Interests

Poetry, language, culture, international cuisine, beer, spirituality, making new friends, peace and social justice, wine, mysticism, music of both the folk and nonfolk varieties.

• culture
• literature
• poetry
• cooking
• recipes
• wine
• beer
• music
• guitar
• divinity
• religion

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: In Cold Blood, Being John Malkovich, Rushmore, Spalovac mrtvol, Reservoir Dogs, Malcolm X, No Country for Old Men, L'Avventura, Capote, I am Trying to Break Your Heart, Little Miss Sunshine, etc.

Music: Wilco, Sparklehorse, Sigur Ros, The Everybodyfields, The Mountain Goats, Weezer, Silver Jews, Silversun Pickups, Neutral Milk Hotel, Regina Spektor, Morrissey, Ben Fold Five, Smashing Pumpkins, The Smiths, Bright Eyes, The Shins, Elton John, etc.

Books: Pretty much the complete works of Walt Whitman, Philip Larkin, Robert Lowell, Elizabeth Bishop, Cormac McCarthy, Zadie Smith, etc.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have a love of language. I can help with language practice. I can help English-learners of all levels, Spanish-learners early in their studies, and Czech-learners with little to no experience.

I'm a self-taught guitarist of over 10 years, so I can offer tips to guitar-learners.

I'm a practicing poet who loves to discuss the craft. Willing and able to do close-readings or workshops of fellow writers' work.

Always happy to discuss literature (poetry, fiction, memoir, you name it) and spirituality (theology, philosophy, mysticism, practical concerns, etc.) with open-minded people. Both college and informal studies have made me fairly competent in these two areas, particularly the former.

I'm a decent cook and a foodie, so I'm always looking to exchange tips, recipes, and stories with like-minded folks.