Post 1 - Bio

If I look a bit skeptical in the photo...it's because I am. I have fought tooth and nail for several years to keep my online presence to a minimum. But now I am required to dive headlong into the blogoshpere and embrace all the "tools" I've long resisted using.

I like email. I send the occasional text from a phone a simple phone that does not connect to the interent. I don't have a facebook account nor will I ever tweet. I'm not thrilled that there are pictures of me and my family on other peoples' online pages. But I guess at some point this resistance becomes futile.

So now I'll write a bit about myself. I grew up in Albany, Oregon stayed until I graduated from South Albany High School. I didn't have much direction or desire to go to college, although I was accepted to every school I applied to. I ended up joining the Air Force for the escape and adventure I hoped it would provide. I was anything but gung ho but it made more sense to me to earn a paycheck and travel than get buried under college debt.

I was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska for about 3 years. I loved the relationships and experiences I had during that time. I did not much enjoy my work in the military. When my tour was up I took off for Hollywood with my GI Bill in hand and enrolled in film school. After that I worked in television and film for several years before returning to Oregon.

After years of working freelance, when the opportunity to teach video production presented itself I was interested in the stability and salary this path provided. I had done enough work with teens through coaching and various mentoring programs to know that I enjoyed this age group. So TSPC granted me a 3-year vocational certification which I am currently in the final year of.

In order to continue teaching high school video classes I need to complete this MAT program and expand into an additional emphasis. I'm considering business which would allow me to teach computer and technology classes but I'm also looking at art since I think that could encompass what I do with video as well. I'm hoping this decision will become clear to me as the program progresses.

I live in Albany. My wife, Danae, is in her 11th year as an elementary teacher. My son, Simon Cash is 2.5 years and likes trucks, dinosaurs and drums. My daughter, Sawyer Grace, just turned 6 months and can almost sit up.