My name is Chop and I am old.
I have spent my time as a diver scrubbing boat hulls and as a card dealer taking money from people who really should have spent it on rent. My resume looks like a series of increasingly questionable life choices that include stretches in oilfields and war zones along with several years as a Probation and Parole officer. I have survived 134 degree heat and 70 below zero winds. I value the truth above all else because I have seen exactly how much effort people put into lying to themselves and to the public.
I operate on a radical Live and Let Live philosophy. I do not care who you are or what you believe as long as you do not infringe on the rights of others while you are doing it. I do not have the energy or the interest to hate you and if you happen to hate me then you are honestly missing out because I am fabulous.
I write to make myself laugh first and if you find the result funny then that is a bonus because the absurdity of existence is the only thing worth paying attention to.
I own and operate three apparel brands:
MOAZ is the original brand I started back in 2012 and it serves as a stream of consciousness for any random or interesting thought that belongs on a shirt.
The other two brands started more recently after my brother in the Philippines was diagnosed with cancer. Insurance in that part of the world is a complete joke and his fight with chemotherapy and surgery made me realize I could do a lot more good by getting back into the shirt business than I could by just sending meager chunks of my paycheck.
When you buy from me you are helping to fund that medical recovery and keeping my circle from falling apart and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that.
Once he is out of the weeds the profits will go back to highly researched and vetted charities that actually do the work instead of money pits that are virtually charities in name only *coughRed Crosscough*.
Unstable Apiary is for the beekeepers who know that the hobby is not always about cute drawings of insects. I manage my own hives and I have learned that every single sting is 100 percent my own fault.
Layover Club covers all forms of travel and the destinations that matter to the people who are visiting and love them.
I am a research heavy generalist travel agent who builds itineraries for every kind of destination on the planet. I want to see everything the world has to offer because every destination matters. My interest in raw history and authentic experiences means I want to know the truth about a place before I spend my money there.
Chop’s Guide is focused on visceral food reviews and honest critiques of media and the world at large. I have been bombed in foreign countries and watched the news get the details wrong for the sake of ratings and I have seen people lie to themselves in casinos and the legal system. My goal is to provide a perspective that is not filtered through a marketing department or a corporate focus group.
Welcome to the ride. Keep your head on a swivel and stay hydrated.
