I'm best known by my friends and peers as Dios de Fuego, or Steve, which may or not may say something about my affinity towards fire, its beauty, and our connection to it, innately speaking or otherwise. Aboriginal use of fire has been referred to as “Fire Stick Farming,” which I think is aptly put. Prescribed burning, subsequently, has a spiritual and cultural significance for me, kinda like a 21st century white Indian walking around with a drip torch. I can talk hours on this subject, but we'll save that for another time.
Vocationally speaking, I'm currently involved with sustainable development and regional land-use planning, restoration ecology and natural areas management, sustainable agriculture and a local foods economic development initiative. I'm active in a number of local non-profits and recently graduated from Leadership Northwest Indiana. Photo attached. It’s all about quality of life and our contributions to it.
Family wise, I come from a relatively large Irish-Catholic family. My grandmother gave birth to 15. So this relatively unique family, raised and born on a small farm in Walkerton, Indiana, is in large part who I am. I can’t envision life without them. Edward Abbey said it best, “I love the land – its great rivers, plains, mountains and the ineffable desert; I love my friends, my kin, my unknown allies – I will stand by them to the end.”
Personal hobbies as follows: Lake Michigan surfing is must. I’m dekeen on sea kayaking, rafting, canoeing, backpacking, and travel. I failed in poetry, though I'm a avid reader and sporadic writer. I somewhat enjoy talking politics and solving the world problems, especially in an Irish pub. I actually played college football, believe it or not, and thus have a fondness for sports. I try to catch a local band and/or an independent film at least once a week, twice if I’m lucky. Northern Indiana has some great, local talent and venues. I failingly try to balance travel and adventure with building community and my garden. Maybe Australia will lend some answers...
Vocationally speaking, I'm currently involved with sustainable development and regional land-use planning, restoration ecology and natural areas management, sustainable agriculture and a local foods economic development initiative. I'm active in a number of local non-profits and recently graduated from Leadership Northwest Indiana. Photo attached. It’s all about quality of life and our contributions to it.
Family wise, I come from a relatively large Irish-Catholic family. My grandmother gave birth to 15. So this relatively unique family, raised and born on a small farm in Walkerton, Indiana, is in large part who I am. I can’t envision life without them. Edward Abbey said it best, “I love the land – its great rivers, plains, mountains and the ineffable desert; I love my friends, my kin, my unknown allies – I will stand by them to the end.”
Personal hobbies as follows: Lake Michigan surfing is must. I’m dekeen on sea kayaking, rafting, canoeing, backpacking, and travel. I failed in poetry, though I'm a avid reader and sporadic writer. I somewhat enjoy talking politics and solving the world problems, especially in an Irish pub. I actually played college football, believe it or not, and thus have a fondness for sports. I try to catch a local band and/or an independent film at least once a week, twice if I’m lucky. Northern Indiana has some great, local talent and venues. I failingly try to balance travel and adventure with building community and my garden. Maybe Australia will lend some answers...
On a closing thought, I am incredibly excited about Australia and my future endeavors with Rotary. I have already met some tremendous folks through GSE and the Chesterton Rotary Club #3348. I can't wait to travel across the planet to meet more Rotarian mates and learn about the Canberra region. Cheers.
2 comments:
Hafa Adai! Fantastic and intuitive! Good luck on your endeavor and many kind wishes! Great picture as well.
Ron
Steve,
Last year I went kayaking for the first time and really liked it. It was on a lake with two loons or was I the loon on the lake in the kayak! Whatever, maybe we can go sometime!!
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