Bio

Over the years, I’ve had several different faces on the Internet. The most well-known of these is Apakuni, the moniker I adopted during the early days of Postnuke and Xaraya. Since then, I have professionally traveled most corners of the Internet. While I never launched a Google or a Digg, I am proud of my work.

Prior to diving headfirst into the Internet in 1997, I spent the first eleven years of my career in social work. Most of this time, I was involved in direct, hands-on client care. The last few years, I worked as a manager responsible for internal investigations, training and the development of best practices. Aside from marriage and fatherhood, I consider those eleven years to be the most important work of my life so far. I am blessed to know that I had a hand in saving a few lives and making many more better in ways both large and small.

Starting work at sixteen, I’ve held various and sundry side jobs along the way. In no particular order, they are … Bouncer, Landscaper, Barback, Process Server, Martial Arts Instructor, Resident Assistant, Butcher’s Boy, Filmmaker, Camp Counselor, Carpenter, Blackjack Dealer, Disc Jockey, Chimney Sweep and Data Entry Operator.

Some jobs I took to make ends meet; others because I wanted to know what the job was like. All of them revealed something about me that I had not previously known. Most importantly, each job reinforced the value of hard work instilled by my parents and taught me to respect all work, no matter how menial it might appear to some.

Today, I find myself in a very fortunate position. I am able to pursue storytelling … my greatest passion … without significant distraction. In the past, I have dabbled in profession with some small measure of success. Today, I plan to build on that success.

The media will certainly be mixed. Podcasts? Books? Magazines? Film? Television? Stage? Animation? Blogs? Audio Theater? Graphic Novels? Photography? Games? Yes. And, anything else that comes my way. What role shall I play? Writer. Producer. Director. Editor. Talent. Key Grip. Guy who gets the coffee. All of the above. If it provides me an opportunity to learn about the craft of storytelling, I am there. Fiction or journalism/documentary? Both.

It should come as no surprise that we are living in the dawn of the most liberating era ever for creators of content and media. Not since the Gutenberg printing press and the development of motion pictures has the playing field been more level. And, the means by which to attract and keep an audience have never been so diverse.

So, here I am. Follow my blog for the latest news about my journey. As always, comments and criticism are welcome.

Peace,

Doug