A: I literally put in a ton of miles traveling to see folks. LOL :) In 2026 I'm hoping to travel a bit less in an effort to spend more time at home/closer to home, and to be kinder to my body. The past two years I've only been averaging 4-6 nights at home each month, and that has to change. But I will still travel alot, and I'll try to keep my "farther out" upcoming travel cities in my rotation listed here to give everyone a head's up.
--------------------
--------------------
October: Birmingham 14th & 15th, Montgomery 16th & 17th, Pensacola 18th, Orlando 19th, Charleston 20th, Atlanta 21st, Charlotte 22nd 23rd 24th, Richmond 25th & 26th, Norfolk 27th, Raleigh 28th, Chapel Hill 29th, Savannah/Pensacola 30th, Pensacola 31st
--------------------
--------------------
November: Little Rock 1st & 2nd, Memphis 3rd, St Louis 4th & 5th, Pensacola 6th, Minneapolis 7th 8th 9th 10th, Pittsburgh 11th 12th 13th, Buffalo 14th & 15th, Pensacola 16th, Birmingham 17th, Huntsville 18th, Murfreesboro 19th, Nashville 20th, Dallas 21st & 22nd, Huntsville 24th & 25th, Montgomery 26th & 27th, Pensacola 28 & 29, Tallahassee 30th
--------------------
--------------------
MORE COMING SOON
A: Think of me like an onion... :)
Although I'm fairly common, I have an extremely unique flavor and can be utilized to fit into a limitless number of dishes and concoctions from cultures around the globe in a variety of different ways. You just have to know how to approach me and handle me. And I come with a variety of health benefits as a bonus! LOL
As you move deeper and deeper into an onion toward its center, no matter how many different layers you uncover, I'm still always consistently "me." You simply increase my concentration the deeper you go.
And don't turn your back on me for too long....I may surprise you and start growing unexpectedly in the pantry. ;)
A: I never sit still. I am always on the go.
Some people when making small talk will ask me what tv shows I’m currently following, and honestly all I can do is giggle. It’s rare I sit in one place long enough to watch a movie, much less a couple episodes of a tv show.
It’s a bit of a psychological hang up I have—a concern about wasting time. Don’t get me wrong, I can procrastinate with the best of ‘em. But when setting up my to-do list for a day or a week, I ALWAYS get a bit too ambitious with my hopes. And as a result, I do stretch myself a bit thin. Sometimes I surprise myself and get it all done, but oftentimes, I leave a couple things on the table for another day.
So when texting me or emailing me, please don’t think I’m ignoring you if I don’t respond. :) Odds are high that I’m just elsewhere doing 6 1/2 other things at the moment.
I need to do a better job of being a lazy slug. Lol. I think my body would appreciate it!
A: 1) Work in my aquariums. They constantly need attention, and they’re never where I want them to be in terms of maintenance. I love them because no matter how many times I look at my tanks, every time I see something different.
2) Yardwork. (I miss my yard in Huntsville!!!) Everything I do in my yard is for the birds and the bees....literally. :) My hummingbirds and my butterflies are my babies during the Summer and Fall. Every plant I put in the ground in my yard is aiming to attract them. The rest of the year it’s for the goldfinches, vireos, cardinals, and bluebirds. And the occasional chickadee. For the moment I'm limited to what I can cram onto my tiny apartment patio in Pensacola. Hopefully that will change sometime soon.
3) Tennis. Although my lower body doesn’t appreciate the beating, tennis is probably the single greatest cardio workout I’ve ever had in my life (besides swimming). And it gives me an excuse to be outside during nicer weather.
4) Go south. (Typically Key West) Sometimes I like simply getting away to break up the day-to-day GOGOGO mentality. When I escape to the islands, I can hide the tablet and phone from myself, and truly disengage and recharge.
A: I hate cameras!
I'm likely one of the least vain people you'll ever meet. I'm actually my own harshest critic by a large LARGE margin. While most of my friends are lighting up social media daily on snapchat and facebook with an endless pool of selfies, I'm that weird one always responding with text. I take terrible selfies, and no, it's not just a lack of practice. Oftentimes I'll send someone a selfie (IF I send one, I usually fight against it), and then when I show up 30 minutes later, they marvel at how I look like a completely different person.
So don't be offended if I politely duck or decline endless requests for more pics. I'm rather guarded with my terrible selfies. :)
A: When I was younger I feel I used to be quite volatile emotionally.
Now, I feel I'm a lot more even keel and in better command of my perspective on life.
There are many things in this world you cannot control--but you can control how you respond to them.
I try very hard to stay positive and not get overwhelmed by everything going on in the world around me, I try to be a stabilizing force for those who are a regular part of my life and have me in their lives, and I try to lift up those around me rather than holding them back or dragging them down. We live in very crazy times when people seemingly feel that the only way to build themselves up is to tear down and climb up the backs of everyone else around them. And admittedly, it can be very challenging to stay upbeat when everyone around you is well...just not. But, I'm always striving to fight that good fight. Aiming to be constructive rather than destructive.
I'm consistent, if nothing else. Why not be the good kind of consistent? :)
If you can't see the silver lining, try looking from a different angle. Anything is possible.
And if you are true to yourself the universe will provide. Chin up!
A: I'm very much the jocky, nerdy boy next door.
I'm the young guy running around your neighborhood shirtless every day--the same running route, at pretty much the same time every day. I love that beaten path, and I use it for everything it's worth.
I'm the guy cutting his grass every week--not just because the HOA is annoying, but because he also takes pride in his property looking nice.
I'm the guy who always smiles and waves to neighbors--it is cordial and polite.
I'm the guy you see getting home from the tennis courts still dripping sweat with legs caked in clay from the tennis match he just finished. I hobble inside--dying for that shower!
I'm also the guy you might accidentally spy darting around on his back porch naked--moving plants from sun to shade, reading a book, or maybe getting into a little mischief as a thunderstorm rolls in.
A: 1) Water: Whether it's a cold glass of water keeping me hydrated and cooling me off, or a hot shower in the Winter warming me up and relaxing me after a run...I can't imagine my life without water. My aquariums require it, my plants love it, and during the Summer, I am frequently complaining about needing more of it to fall from the sky. :)
2) Sleep: I greatly value my sleep. LOL Don't try me. :) Not long ago I gained a deep appreciation for getting *enough* sleep. I've always been very bad about burning the candle at both ends to make sure I have enough time to tackle everything. No longer. If I'm tired...I sleep.
3) Sunlight: It's amazing how just an hour in the sun can greatly improve my mood during the shortest days of the year. As a true southerner, I appreciate how everyone needs their time in the sun.
4) Sweet Tea: I told you, I'm a Southerner! :) The closer to hummingbird nectar, the better!
5) Time: Always in short suppply, it seems. I can always use more patience and more time. Never forget; the least costly, yet most valuable, gift you can ever give to anyone, even in its smallest modicum. ;)
A: Let's see...
Most of all, during the warmer months of the year, I enjoy being outdoors. Colder times, I prefer being inside.
I am a tennis player and have been since high school. So during the non-Winter you sometimes see me sneaking off to the courts to get breathless and sweaty HA! I do periodically play league tennis as well but am temporarily taking a break to focus on efficiency with my work travel.
I am an aquarium enthusiast. When at home I'm frequently elbow deep in one of my three aquariums (I used to have NINE at one point in time).
I'm an amateur botanist of sorts as well. Major recreational landscaper.
The aquariums and the plants often go hand-in-hand with my passions when you think about it. I like making things grow, and I'm always growing new plants and new coral colonies from twigs and frags...all it takes is a little piece to start something new and beautiful!
I run, I read, I video game. I also bake a lot during the holidays.
See? Crazy jocky nerdy gay guy. LOL!
A: I travel a good bit more than I would sometimes like to. LOL
I'm actually more of a homebody than a traveler, but that doesn't keep me from spending many many many MANY hours in my car! :) To the tune of 55,000 miles each year.
I do frequently remind people: if I could make the same level of income staying home that I make while away, I would most certainly stay home. But unfortunately that is not a realistic expectation.
After years of intermittent, fairly intense travel I do find myself inclined to enjoy my staycations at home, and thus I travel a bit less for my breaks away from work.
I have no issues being gone 3, 4, or sometimes even 5 days on end, but after that I need a day or two at home with my aquariums, my plants, and MY BED! :)
(That's not to say I don't still occasionally pop down to Key West for a few days here and there to enjoy the island life and have a nice change of scenery. I do miss it down there.)