CURRENT MISSION

finding passionate people with a sense of humor

ABOUT ME

Profoundly interested in everything-- especially coffee and people.

You can thank my soulmate, Zoe Somebody, for instilling in me principles of compassion, human dignity and rights, trust and severe passion (and need) for connection and community. From all this, I've been able to facilitate music and small art gatherings and other community events. I run an open mic in my hometown-- and it's the most diverse sample of people you will ever see in Escondido, CA on a single day -- and I'm proud of that.

I've organized other such events at this very same cafe (Kettle Coffee & Tea)-- fundraisers, concerts, art shows. In the very same town, there was an iconic cafe called The Metaphor Cafe which hosted the burgeoning art and music scene of the 90's in SoCal. The owner, Jim Nemish, authored a manifesto called "A Recipe For A Coffeehouse" in which he wrote, "...I think, that the whole world should be a Coffee House. Don't worry if you don't drink coffee, we have soda-pop, tea, hot chocolate, and if you can't find anything you like, maybe you are looking too hard."

Incidentally, my late friend, Zoe, worked for Jim. A punk kid who had his early adult years at that coffeehouse-- cultivating himself spiritually, culturally, artistically. It's only a coincidence I've worked in coffee houses and cafes all my life. Only lately have I been satisfied working in one. Toiling over steamed milk and spilled beans and unnecessarily being the soundboard for caffeine junkies is a mere side affect that you can sure get sick of. But what the place offers and can facilitate for the community is what I tend to remember by the end of the day, not what's at the bottom of your tip jar.

I continually search for a comfortable context-- a spot-- that coffeehouse, both literally and mentally, to cultivate and toil over what is important.

Ultimately, I believe that if the community’s individuals can be engaged in supporting one another in some form, we just might see earnest, hard-working, loving individuals find the environment they need to grow.

PHILOSOPHY

An adopted and apt philosophy:

Please go on and build healthy lasting relationships. Be kind and gentle and not afraid to act on what you know is right. Never tell anyone how to live or allow others to dictate to you. When you struggle, find strength in others. And always reach out to those in need. Most of all, don’t be afraid. - Zoe

Interests

Art. Shows. People who aren't jerks. Coffee. Hiking. Film. Second-hand shops. Putting together art shows and hosting music events.

• arts
• concerts
• environment
• chocolate
• coffee
• running
• drinking
• music
• hiking

Music, Movies, and Books

Twin Peaks, Wim Wenders, Guy Maddin, Charlie Kauffman, Wong Kar Wai, Jacques Rivette, 30 Rock, and a ton of other movies that make you cry and possibly feel emotionally overwhelmed.