1. Pride Stories
• These photos and stories reflect what I am
proud of, the knowledge I have gained and
used, as well as describing to you my personal
brand.
• Enjoy!

2. Newly acquired property requires front/back yard work that was
estimated to cost tens of thousands to be contracted out. I began
last summer by myself expecting only to avoid these costs
entirely for my family. Our front yard grass is greener than all
the neighbors and in a way at least some of my debt to my
parents are repaid. I also learned the value of hard labor and the
primal satisfaction of “working the land”. This work involved
significant use of my planning, safety, and determination skills.

3. • I was raised in a Catholic school system but do not consider myself part of the
Church. I had purchased this religious artwork from an artisan in a poverty stricken
part of Mexico and everyday I appreciate what it represents. The handcuffs and
epaulettes are included in my little “corner of values” as working in the security
industry has taught me the value of working to improve your own community and
justice. This is a picture of my own personal “shrine” and reminds me daily of how
to act as a citizen of humanity.

4. • In the summer of 2005 I went to the Philippines, Manila and learned some
basic Scuba diving concepts/principles. The above picture is of the training.
Shortly after I experienced shallow water coral reef diving and it was the
most surreal experience. It was almost like visiting another planet and I
recommend anybody to do it at least 10 times. It is very safe and rewarding.
It taught me to appreciate the diversity of nature and to try out complicated
hobbies as the reward is often worth it.

5. • This is a picture of a dragon boat on a river located on Center Island, Ontario. I was
assigned a security position to watch the boats for 13 hours on a lonely island with
sparse human traffic. I learned how to meditate and be alone with my thoughts. The
silence at night was surprisingly natural – only the sound of the water and the wind
in the trees. The calm pulsing of a nearby cellphone tower light grounded me in
reality. It is moments like these that a man must face his own life and thoughts. In a
fast paced world we often forget to ponder who we are and what we have become.

6. • This is my car that recently broke a “tie-rod” that could have killed me if it
happened on the highway. With my luck, it happened right in front of a freshly
opened car shop and cost hundreds less than it could have in a slightly different
situation. I consider owning a car to be like owning a horse in earlier times. I have a
lot of stories with this car and a lot of money was spent keeping my horse
productive and able to pull its worth on the farm. I can recall countless experiences
with this car and when she retires, I will park her in my backyard and sit in it from
time to time. She has taught me the value of spending money to make money and
taking proper care of a real asset.