I spent many years learning and seeking, influenced by Hofstader, Hermann Hesse, Darwin, Dawkins, Vonnegut, Minsky and many others. Many influences were outside of books and include The Who, Suicidal Tendencies, Edvard Munch, and Escher. I was writing but it was disorganized and without aim.

Life is what it is, and over time my alcoholism took over. Rather than dying I chose rehab. That ended up being rehab, then the hospital, then rehab again. I lost two weeks in the hospital, my mind and body going through a hard reset. I'm sober since December 4th, 2020, 9:35 AM CST.

During rehab I focused internally and read a lot about Buddhism, meditation and started practicing active mindfulness. I found "The 4 Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. That's some wisdom, and a basis for how I approach life.

I also started considering mortality and purpose.

2024 saw me actively writing the words included here. In early September I developed the Doctrine of Original Faith which describes one of the main pillars of Heathen, that we should have faith in others rather than something not of this earth.

The other pillar is that we should respect, rejoice, and protect our mother earth. Over my existence I have spent well over a year sleeping in a tent, much of it solo. Many of these words were written while I camped this year.

You were born and will die on earth. She provides for your survival. Give her a break…