CURRENT MISSION

Everyone is trying to be happy, sheltered from the cold wind of making money and getting older. Traveling, and helping travelers, is maybe the most solid shelter there is. It's a paradox!

ABOUT ME

I am heady, a little solitary, but maintain a few close friendships. I tend towards cynicism but have a romantic heart that is aching to sail away. I am thoughtful, open-minded, and love the immense differences and reassuring similarities between most (all?) people.

Having hosted a few times now, it seems important to say I'm gay. That doesn't influence whom I'll host, though.

PHILOSOPHY

It's too expensive to live here in NY, and very many people want to visit. I don't take full advantage of this place and can't justify my living expense to myself without freely sharing my privilege. After all, from heaven, every house looks like a hospice, so it's silly not to give freely.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Have hosted a few great travelers. Can't wait to get on the road myself

Interests

Just got a piano and am totally engrossed with it. Meditation is gradually becoming a bigger part of my life. I play go (badly), take long walks listening to whole albums, and love dogs with all my heart. Seriously, floppy ears and big brown eyes and I swoon (those are good qualities in people, too).

• dogs
• cooking
• meditation
• traveling
• piano
• sailing

Music, Movies, and Books

A slice of my aesthetic life, 8.10.2012:

Watched 'Death for Five Voices' by Werner Herzog

Listened to 'Les Noces' by Igor Stravinsky

Read 'Consider the Oyster' by MFK Fisher, but mainly to find a recipe

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I was trying on a suit in San Francisco when John Waters walked by and said, 'You look spiffy!' I bought it, of course.

I befriended a wild dog on Koh Samui in Thailand who escorted me for a mile across the brush to meet a friend at a seaside restaurant. We were assailed on the way by an unfriendly pack of wild dogs, but my new friend barked and growled and scared them off!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm happy to teach you Mandarin, which is my job, too. If you can cook, especially in my dinky kitchen, I'd love to learn how you do it.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, France, Germany, Italy, Monaco, Thailand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Japan, United States