Technology & Science

I'm an avid technologist -- I crave anything with a chip!

Connect that black box to every other device and I'm hooked. Computer architecture, software, networking, wireless, physics, astronomy, math -- if it's science or technology -- I want to know, discuss, and explore.

My favorite physicists are Oersted, Ampere, Faraday, Maxwell, and Marconi -- the fathers of electromagnetism -- everything wireless -- the link between electricity and magnetism -- arguably the most magical discovery in the history of mankind.

I love to help drive the practical application of technology and science in an entrepreneurial way.

Great inventions are not enough; one must find and explore innovative ways to apply the invention so it solves real problems. And then design, develop, iterate, and market the idea in a way that is accessible to all.

Be curious and not afraid to fail. Read and study out of the best books. Learn from mistakes and build upon the methods of the past.

"If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
-- Sir Isaac Newton

That is the legacy and power of human discovery.

Some books I've enjoyed reading:
" A Short History of Nearly Everything", by Bill Bryson
" Electric Universe", by David Bodanis
" On Intelligence", by Jeff Hawkins and Sandra Blakeslee

World Religion/History

I enjoy learning about different religions and cultures around the world.

The stories from ancient civilizations and modern history are fascinating as is the ability to hopefully learn from such history and avoid repeating the same mistakes in today's society.

"The past is the present unrolled for understanding...
the present is the past rolled up for action."
-- Ariel Durant

Some books I've enjoyed reading:
" The Lessons of History", by Will and Ariel Durant
" One God, Three Faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam)", by F.E. Peters
" Mere Christianity", C.S. Lewis
" A People's History of the United States", by Howard Zinn
" John Adams", by David McCullough
" 1776", by David McCullough
" Team of Rivals", by Doris Kearns Goodwin

International Travel

I love to travel. My ideal job would be a tour guide to remote destinations around the world.

I was fortunate to serve a mission for my church in Paraguay for 2 years where I learned Spanish, some Portuguese, and a little Guarani. The people in Paraguay are the most kind, loving, and caring people I've known. It is a beautiful country, el corazon de Sudamerica. Che Paraguay ndeve ha'e rohayhuve cada ko'e.

My wife and I have been back to South America a few times since then visiting places like Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Fernando de Norohna, Foz de Iguazu, Cuidad del Este, Cusco, and Machu Picchu.

During my career in the high tech sector I've traveled to the Asia Pacific region, India, Europe, and Latin America for work both at Intel and Qualcomm visiting customers in Tokyo, Taipei, Beijing, Seoul, Mumbai, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Istanbul, Vilnius, Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen, Munich, Geneva, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Paris, Brussels, London, Dublin, Limerick, Mexico City, and Sao Paulo.

I've tried to share my love for travel and different cultures with my family by taking them on different adventures around the world. My hope is that by experiencing life outside the US they will develop an appreciation and respect for all cultures.

I personally find the diversity in language, culture, and beliefs exhilarating. The differences collectively make a remarkable patchwork of humanity. There are so many good people around the world.

Puzzles

Puzzles and brain teasers are a lot of fun. My father-in-law Jim Heap got me hooked on the Rubik's cube. He showed me how to solve the 3x3 and 4x4 via his own solution.

Sports

I enjoy playing volleyball, basketball, soccer, and flag football with friends -- basically, anything with a ball! Regular exercise has become a key part of my life -- a mix of high intensity interval workouts and circuit training. Of course, nothing beats a good run, walk, or hike outdoors. We try to go on a family backpacking trip at least once per year.

Music

I enjoy listening to classical music, singing, and playing the piano. My two favorite classics are Clair De Lune by Debussy and Pachelbel's Canon in D.

Politics/Government/Economics

I am a fiscal and moral conservative who applauds the US Constitution as the law of the land and an inspired document written to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity". I agree with the words from the Declaration of Independence which remind us that "all are created equal; that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

On morality and virtue
I don't believe it's the government's responsibility to legislate and/or mandate morality. Moral ethics, integrity, and virtue are best taught in the home by example. Virtue must be discovered, not forced.

"The family is the nucleus of civilization. A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within. The essential cause of Rome's decline lay in her people and her morals." -- Will Durant

Thus, the rise and fall of any nation hinges on the strength of families and our ability to teach virtue in the home. It is our responsibility, not the government.

I believe we can and should govern ourselves (i.e. less government) but it first requires an unwavering effort by each one of us to become better fathers and mothers. Love your children, teach them correct principles (by example), and then let them govern themselves. Love, independence, liberty, choice, and accountability are just some of the basic principles and virtues that must be taught and discovered in the home. In our country and other nations around the world, our role as parents deserves the highest priority in life.

"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live." -- The Family: A Proclamation to the World

As Michael Novak once said, "family is the first, best, and original department of health, education, and welfare."

On economics
Coming soon...

Family History

Discovering my family history has been a treat. My Dad's family (Giles) comes from a line of brick masons and blacksmiths in Lowdham England. My Dad's Mom has roots in Denmark (Fugal), Sweden (Karlsson), and Scotland (Young). My Mom's line comes from New Brunswick (Cosseboom), England (Inkley), and early settlers from Connecticut/New York area (Clawson).

I've learned more about myself by studying the stories, struggles, and migration patterns of my ancestors. A great tool for family research is http://familysearch.org