I am basically... a geek. If you don't believe me, just check out my resumé. My work week finds me in a highly technical telecommunications position during the day and deep in studies at night. Because of this, I need to have a way to get stress out of my life. Photography provides me a way in which to express myself and my involvement in the many activities I have listed below. The thing I enjoy most about photography is the ability to capture my experiences, creating lasting memories that I can share with others. Currently, I have the privilege of working for a company which provides its employees some of the best facilities for improving one's skills as a photographer: Eastman Kodak Company.
I have a very extensive list of activities. By far my most important "activity" stems from my relationship with the Lord. Several times during the day one can find me either in prayer or reading my Bible. To find out more about what Jesus Christ has done in my life as well as in my Church (First Bible Baptist of Rochester) I encourage you to read my testimony. Perhaps it is time you had your own interview with God and see where He leads your life?
To participate in the activities below, as well as keep the pain from my many past injuries at bay, I have to workout on a very regular basis. A "regular basis" in my case, is at least 3 times per week. I typically workout from 11:30 - 13:00, and am able to walk from my job to the employee gym (a nice bonus). On weekends, I do not attend a gym. However, since I find it extremely hard to sit at home and do nothing, I can be found at either at church or enjoying one of the activities listed below:
My Activities
Hiking/Backpacking
This is perhaps my ultimate pastime (outside of photography) and consumes many of my weekends. I live approximately 5 hours away from the Adirondack Mountains and am there almost every other weekend in the fall and many weekends throughout the winter. Since most of my spare time is spent hiking in the "Dacks", I have taken a role in park and trail preservation as a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK). This affiliation has allowed me to give back to the area that I enjoy so much.
Rock Climbing
This is a new and unfortunately expensive interest of mine and does not receive my mothers approval... Oh, well! I started climbing at a gym called the "Red Barn" on the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) campus in November of 1999 and haven't been off the walls (indoors or out) since! Unfortunately, as Rochester is a rather flat city I am "forced" to go elsewhere for my climbing enjoyment. Check it out:
This sport is one that takes me all over on expeditions, and usually across many miles at a time. I have been known to go to Algonquin Provincial Park, up to the Dacks, or on the Maine Island Trail. Though I now enjoy mostly calm waters on lakes and oceans, I still look back fondly on my whitewater days; on portag� with 100 pounds of gear and looking for the next good place to put in.
Canoeing
Canoeing is how I got started in paddle sports, as most do. Though I do not often get out on a canoe more than once a year I still do enjoy it. In 1991 I took a 125 mile trip down the Delaware river on canoe with my Scout troop at the time. Kayaking has definitely overtaken this sport on my activities list though; easy to understand since I am single and extremely independent.
Sailing
Sailing, is an activity I've enjoyed from my childhood. Until we moved to Ohio in the early 1990's, my parents always had a boat. First we started with an O'Day 23', then reversed the digits to an Aloha 32' which we sailed for almost 10 years. Though I enjoyed this as a way of life when I was a child, I am not rushing back to it. Like the saying goes: "A sailboat is a giant hole in the water to which you continually pour money." Besides, I think I have enough to keep me busy... Should I get the itch, my current roommate happens to have a Inter 20 catamaran, so I can still get out on the water.
Skiing
This was a favorite pastime, in which I unfortunately can no longer participate... at least in the downhill variety. However, I still enjoy cross-country skiing and must say that it is a lot more economical. Cross-country skiing has taken me all over the place from the Dacks to Letchworth State Park and man, is it good exercise on a cold winters day.
Snow Shoeing
This is a new activity for me. I started in winter 2001 after I was finished with the physical therapy needed due to my last downhill accident. I had an absolute blast! It extends my hiking and backpacking abilities and lets me see the mountain tops at a time when the populations are scarce in the mountains (aka, you rarely see another human)!
White Water Rafting
This is only a spring pastime when the water is high and I can no longer stand the indoors! Since 1996, I have been going to the Dacks on the Hudson River (before Glenns Falls, so there are no dead bodies or nasty chemicals) with the Adirondack River Outfitters. They really know how to have a good time and don't consider it a good day unless they throw at least 2 people in each raft into the 33 degree waters!
Cooking
I realize that I am a guy and am supposed to burn the majority of my foods. However, I am also single and therefore have no one to cook for me. Because of this, I have learned to cook and from what I hear I am fairly good with a knife and pan! Don't believe me? Stop by sometime I'm up for the challenge! Just call first...
About Me 
