Jim

This is a new "About me".

I'm a teacher. My Teacher Certification authorizes me to teach: English, Agricultural Education, and Technology Engineering. At the moment I am teaching Engineering Design and Development, with an emphasis on GREEN.

Tulsa, Oklahoma is where I currently live. I moved here 5 years ago from Huntington Beach, California. I'm married with 3 children.

I have lived an interesting life. I've worked as: fast food cook, grocery store clerk, musician, Navy electrician, factory worker, laboratory technician, aircraft planning analyst, aerospace manager, college teacher, and high school teacher.

After I got out of the Navy I hitch-hiked around the country for awhile. I met many interesting people along the way. Several of which seemed to have messages for me. One old man appeared on Hwy 5 North of San Francisco and told me how to pack my gear, he said I had too much stuff and told me exactly what I needed on my journey. He said that I should travel light on my journey. I looked away for a minute and when I looked back he was no longer there. Another man in Portland came up to me in the park and told me I would have an interesting life and would one day do something of great importance. In Corvallis Oregon I joined a protest at Adair Air Force Base (they were asking the government to turn the old barracks into housing for migrant workers). At the entrance to the Base a large military force with jeeps, guns and soldiers arrived and things got ugly. The students and workers on one side of the chain and the soldiers on the other side. Some of the more militant students seemed to want a physical confrontation. I walked to the chain that separated the two groups and asked the protesters to sit down peacefully (which they did) and then asked the soldiers to not attack their own people.. The soldiers turned and drove away to the top of a nearby hill and watched the protestors. After awhile the protestors left and I caught a ride to Eugene. After a couple days in Eugene I continued my trip south...

I've experienced astral travel and a few other things I can't explain.

I went back to college after my travels and graduated with an A.A. at 30 years old. I then completed my B.A. and M.A. and eventually left the University of California as an abd (all but dissertation) on a doctorate (just didn't want to play the game anymore).

So that is where I come from. As to where I am headed... I don't know for sure. Big Sur has regularly played a part in my life. I am drawn to it like a moth to a light. I passed through many times on my way to San Francisco in the late 60's. Esalen always intrigued me but the only contact I had was when some people who picked me up hitch hiking took me to the hot springs late one night.

If pressed I would label myself a Zen Buddhist. Alan Watts had an influence on me. I have read a lot on World religion, taken a few anthropology classes and had the privilege of meeting and listening to some very insightful people; Tim Leary, Alan Ginsburg, Khen Rinpoche, Ray Bradbury.

I have driven from Tulsa to Hwy 1 each year since I moved to Oklahoma. I am drawn to it. I wish to move back to the Coast in the very near future. I am most at peace when I am near the ocean.

The Pacific Coast is calling me. I see myself leaving Oklahoma next summer and moving to the Coast once again. This time to Big Sur area, Northern California, or Oregon Coast. I desire to move to a small cottage. I no longer wish to live in my McMansion. Simplicity and a minimalist lifestyle now feel right.