My Story
Hello!
If you're checking out this site, chances are you know me pretty well or at least well enough for me to at least run something by you (either that or you're getting spammed by me or one of my friends - haha!). I've decided to try and hike the Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT is long and winding trail that begins on the Mexican border and winds it's way through the desert and mountains of California, Oregon and Washington and finishes at the Canadian border. It passes through some of the most rugged and beautiful landscapes in our country (think Ansel Adams, Yosemite). You can learn all about the PCT by clicking on the tab above. I'm really lucky to have the good fortune to give it a shot. I feel grateful for so many things in my life - this is just one more opportunity I am really thankful to be able to undertake. Among many things, it should be demanding, challenging, fun and rewarding. I've been motivated and energized to set out on my little journey by a number of different reasons and circumstances, but none more so than the inspiration of the good folks at the Deer Park Monastery. I've been fortnuate enough to visit there a couple of times and their attitude, energy and peacefulness is really a beacon for me (or anyone!). So, after seeing the projects they have going on, I wanted to help. I thought that maybe in some small way, I can put my spirit out there to help repay them just a fraction of the warm and encouraging energy they put out to me and to all of us. Believe me, they really make a big difference in a lot of people's lives. It's very cool - and very powerful.
I'm not much for prostelysizing or hard selling anyone (treat others as you'd like to be treated), but if you'd take a look at the following and feel like you'd like to help out with a little something to help support the kind folks at Deer Park, I would appreciate it. NONE of the money raised here goes to me or anyone else. I give my word that minus the credit card processing fee, ALL funds will go towards the Monastery housing project.
To donate to this amazing cause, please click here. Any amount helps, even a few dollars or 50 cents.
A special shout out to my new friend, Pete Droge for allowing me to use his music on my site! Pete has been one of my favorite artists for over 20 years and I've derived a lot of pleasure and satisfaction listening to his music over the years. I was flattered that he personally gave me the thumbs up to use his sweet tune. Thanks, Pete - see ya in Washington! (check out Pete's music at www.droge.com)
A few other quick thank yous - to my Uncle Jared, for inspiring me with his generosity and kindness (but not patience - ha!) daily and helping me get things wrapped up at home - a deep and sincere THANK YOU. Also to my Nephew Nate, who I dumped this idea on at the relative last minute (I'm a procrastinator - what can I say?) and helped put this site together - THANKS, Nate! Nate and my other Nieces and Nephews give me hope for the future - they are all good Peeps! Much gratitude additionally to my best bud Chris Zitzer. He has been unbelievably supportive and helpful with anything and everything. Chris and his wife Laura treat me like family and I certainly feel the same about them - thank you! Additionally, my Sister Amy has been incredibly supportive with kind and thoughtful words and moral suport - thanks, Ame - you are the best! Lastly, thanks to my Uncle Jeff - Jeff really introduced me the beauty and splendor of the mountains. He has been my guide and friend on countless adventures and been extremely generous with his knowledge, time and heart. A deep bow of gratitude to you, Jeffrey!
I'll leave you with my two favorite inspirational quotes - I've had 'em posted in whatever place I called home over the last 15 years:
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even
though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits
who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray
twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things
you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover."
– Mark Twain
Thanks for considering and see you down the road,
Tony
If you're checking out this site, chances are you know me pretty well or at least well enough for me to at least run something by you (either that or you're getting spammed by me or one of my friends - haha!). I've decided to try and hike the Pacific Crest Trail. The PCT is long and winding trail that begins on the Mexican border and winds it's way through the desert and mountains of California, Oregon and Washington and finishes at the Canadian border. It passes through some of the most rugged and beautiful landscapes in our country (think Ansel Adams, Yosemite). You can learn all about the PCT by clicking on the tab above. I'm really lucky to have the good fortune to give it a shot. I feel grateful for so many things in my life - this is just one more opportunity I am really thankful to be able to undertake. Among many things, it should be demanding, challenging, fun and rewarding. I've been motivated and energized to set out on my little journey by a number of different reasons and circumstances, but none more so than the inspiration of the good folks at the Deer Park Monastery. I've been fortnuate enough to visit there a couple of times and their attitude, energy and peacefulness is really a beacon for me (or anyone!). So, after seeing the projects they have going on, I wanted to help. I thought that maybe in some small way, I can put my spirit out there to help repay them just a fraction of the warm and encouraging energy they put out to me and to all of us. Believe me, they really make a big difference in a lot of people's lives. It's very cool - and very powerful.
I'm not much for prostelysizing or hard selling anyone (treat others as you'd like to be treated), but if you'd take a look at the following and feel like you'd like to help out with a little something to help support the kind folks at Deer Park, I would appreciate it. NONE of the money raised here goes to me or anyone else. I give my word that minus the credit card processing fee, ALL funds will go towards the Monastery housing project.
To donate to this amazing cause, please click here. Any amount helps, even a few dollars or 50 cents.
A special shout out to my new friend, Pete Droge for allowing me to use his music on my site! Pete has been one of my favorite artists for over 20 years and I've derived a lot of pleasure and satisfaction listening to his music over the years. I was flattered that he personally gave me the thumbs up to use his sweet tune. Thanks, Pete - see ya in Washington! (check out Pete's music at www.droge.com)
A few other quick thank yous - to my Uncle Jared, for inspiring me with his generosity and kindness (but not patience - ha!) daily and helping me get things wrapped up at home - a deep and sincere THANK YOU. Also to my Nephew Nate, who I dumped this idea on at the relative last minute (I'm a procrastinator - what can I say?) and helped put this site together - THANKS, Nate! Nate and my other Nieces and Nephews give me hope for the future - they are all good Peeps! Much gratitude additionally to my best bud Chris Zitzer. He has been unbelievably supportive and helpful with anything and everything. Chris and his wife Laura treat me like family and I certainly feel the same about them - thank you! Additionally, my Sister Amy has been incredibly supportive with kind and thoughtful words and moral suport - thanks, Ame - you are the best! Lastly, thanks to my Uncle Jeff - Jeff really introduced me the beauty and splendor of the mountains. He has been my guide and friend on countless adventures and been extremely generous with his knowledge, time and heart. A deep bow of gratitude to you, Jeffrey!
I'll leave you with my two favorite inspirational quotes - I've had 'em posted in whatever place I called home over the last 15 years:
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even
though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits
who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray
twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
-Theodore Roosevelt
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things
you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover."
– Mark Twain
Thanks for considering and see you down the road,
Tony