Meditations Journeying in China An Anthology of Poems, Verses, and Songs

A quality, hardcover book filled with unique and bold experiments in finely-crafted poetry and verse, complimented by more than 65 new full-color photographs, and complete with a new introduction, this 5th anniversary special edition deserves a privileged spot on your bookshelf, coffee table, or in the hands of an avid reader with a profound appreciation for the value excellent books and quality words can exhibit.

Through a profound transitional experience, Solace Zeta collects his writings during much of his three years of living and working in China, mainly during 2014-2016. His experiences witnessing and living under a completely different culture and lifestyle gives the impetus for his writings, and even songs crafted and created during his time there, to sparkle in special and vivid ways. Additionally, he also draws inspiration and at times catharsis from his experiences with love, marriage, death, friendship, despair, depression, self-loathing and self-doubt, redemption, and the nature of humanity as well as nature itself.

Confronting the death of his parents, the love of his future wife, behind the backdrops of a new life on the opposite side of the planet in a foreign country, the author pulls out his heartstrings whilst managing to embrace periods of serenity, reflection, cold-blooded self-assessment, and to indulge in the human experience of travel, trials and tribulations, and, most especially, growth in life. Showcasing more than 135 original works across nine different stylistic and categorical themes, Solace Zeta's first anthology delivers poetry in spades, and excellence in abundance. Come on an incredible journey in China through these powerful meditations, writings, and musings.

Also available in eBook format.

Solace Zeta has been an active participant in the Denver music scene for well over a decade, in both the underground hip hop and live band music communities. He has performed live at Moe's Original BBQ, Herman's Hideaway, The Speakeasy Vape Lounge, The Lion's Lair, and numerous restaurants and bars throughout Colorado, among others.

To date, he has several EPs and other albums to his credit. His first album was a double disc tribute to 1990s hip hop with a unique blend of Denver artistry and lyricism, titled Stranger in the Strange Land (2013). His most recent album is a collaboration under the moniker Epic Vertex,
titled The Apogee LP (2022). His next solo release is titled The Green Prototype.

In addition to his solo artist work, he has spent many years as a member of various bands, including the Denver Music Corps, REIFY, Epic Vertex, Snow Monk, and WRECKREATE.

Besides recording music, he also has a long track-record of community empowerment and activism, including charity work and social awareness activities, such as performing at The Art of Social Justice Conference II at CU Denver, in addition to performing multiple years for the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. Rob Acker graduated in December of 2012 from University of Colorado at Denver with his master's degree in 20th Century US History, and Global History with an East Asia emphasis. He wrote his master's thesis on The Crystallization of Hip Hop Music and Culture in Corporate and Mainstream America, 1995-1998. Teaching for over a decade now, he's gone on to procure TEFL/TESOL/ESL and national teacher trainer certifications in Classroom Management and Differentiated Instruction, among others.

He has taught at all levels of education for private and public schools, worked for universities in China and America, trained teachers internationally, is a highly valued educational consultant, has founded and edited magazines, and currently runs his own online teaching school.

His future plans include writing several history monographs, one on hip hop in the 1990s, another, a biography of the Japanese Buddhist sage Nichiren (1222-1282), and, among others, on the historical relevance of the Long March as Communist China's foundational myth.