Matthew Kowalski

An Empire of Blood I Amadeus, born in eldritch form before the pact of states, before a union forged. My immortal birth rip, rended and slashed into my already broken depraved soul; in a sleepy town in the west

Our story so far A lot of our history has been lost to the ages. The world was not doing well. Humanity also was not doing well. We were falling apart waiting for salvation to come, waiting for the second coming of Avatara. The early 23rd century (2400 ad) was frustrating, humanity felt abandoned. We were abandoned. Can't blame the force though, would you want to come home if the kids were running around like beasts destroying the house? Good question huh? Our depression, anger and frustration spawned the larvae, the insectoid young. Not in flesh but in spirit. They possessed the minds of the hands of those who had control of the nukes and the nuclear reactors. All the nukes detonated, the nuclear power plants all had melt downs. The nuclear fires scorched the land. From the nuclear fires birthed the fireflies. The ancient dragon lines ripped open and flooded the Earth with unimaginable energy.

Dedication: This book is for you; the forgotten, lonely, abandoned, the locked up. This book is for people who don't know they need it. It's for everyone who is a Sane or knows a Sane. For you who are alone or heart broken, use the power in those experiences. Use the power for others and for life, because if we do, we can encourage life within the environments that life loves to thrive in.

Sunrunner is our main character... for now. He lives in a nice abode that receives both the light of sunrise and sunset. He also has a wall of double doors that open to a rooftop. He lives above a coffeehouse in a bohemian styled neighborhood. Some have said it is where the gurus come to play. He loves the dark rich smell of espresso at 6am and he is usually one of the first two or three people to the counter, where Stephanie serves him a strong black organic blend and delivers it in his own molded mug covered with spirals. Sunrunner seems to appear at different times in different ways and various appearances.

A Sojourn's Song Sings us across the sea, and into the mysteries for which we must question even now; across the ages. To the politic of the mortal core and it's pervasive effect in the America's. Still the soul does sing and question.

About the book: "Riding Shotgun Through a Hurricane: A Memoir of Addiction and Radical Recovery" chronicles Matthew Kowalski's journey from gifted child to homeless meth addict. Raised in a chaotic environment of generational abuse, he ran away at age 15 and spent the next 27 years lost in coast-to-coast madness fueled by drugs, alcohol, sex and mental illness. How does a smart, charismatic kid go from Freshman Class President to starving, shivering runaway; from British boarding school to San Francisco squats; from musical prodigy to homeless junkie? Just when his odds of survival were at their lowest - long after some assumed he was already dead - Kowalski made the radical decision at age 42 to get clean and sober for the first time in his life. "A wild ride of a read 'Riding Shotgun' is heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, at times outrageously joyous adventure, yet honest to the bone. From the heart of Kansas, Matt Kowalski rides shotgun on the road to Morocco and back, only to land on the streets of San Francisco in his own global journey of destruction. Left barely standing at the door of hopelessness, Matt leads us to the other side, where few make it, and discovers a life of redemption, resurrection, hope and service to his own tribe. A must-read for anyone living in or finding their own path toward recovery, however that looks, including those of us privileged enough to walk with them on their own way home to Self."-Jean A. Rhea, LMFT, Clinical Director, St. Vincent de Paul, San Francisco "'Riding Shotgun Through a Hurricane' is a gripping story of hopelessness and hope, of utter defeat and miraculous victory. This graphic memoir of a talented young man's descent into drug-fueled madness, and his determination to survive and recover, is compelling, heart-rending, and haunting. Matt Kowalski's journey through a living hell of abuse and addiction will inspire anyone who has ever dreamed of a better life to believe that recovery and healing is possible."-C.J. Hayden, business coach, activist, and author of "50 Ways Coaches Can Change the World" "More than a personal history, this is a history of San Francisco, told from the streets. When I met Matt, he was battered beyond recognition and ready for recovery. His determination and basic decency allow for a perspective that is truly awe-inspiring."-Tamara Tucker, MFT (Matt's intrepid first therapist) "Matt Kowalski's story is a true 'rags to riches' of the spirit ... Matt is one who 'walks the talk' as an inspiration and role model."-David Kroziere, Developer of One Rincon Hill and Co-Creator of the Heart of SoMa, building bridges for San Francisco's homeless "Matthew Kowalski's story is raw, gripping and awe-inspiring, and his incredible courage and perseverance are admirable. I practically held my breath while reading this gripping story... Matt has done more in his one life than most do in a fraction of their lives. It was an honor to read Matt's story of transformation from childhood abuse, drug abuse and homelessness to a life rich with meaning, purpose, creativity and loving presence."-Mena K. Zaminsky, MFT, Trauma and Addiction Specialist

This book takes on counseling from a Christian view point and vantage point. It would be helpful for those who are Christian counselors who are using their faith in their practice.

Peer into the mind of a vampire traversing the ages, saving mortals and men. While exploring the mystery of his birth, and the tragedy of his existence. Though this tragic wind would not put out the firey heart that would fight on for souls eternal. Stephan will tell you his story from his own eyes, in the trappings of unlife that would in every moment always fight for life and right.