CURRENT MISSION

Explore the world. In style. ;)

ABOUT ME

I'm a writer, an artist, a costume designer, and a feminist. I have a BFA in Metal & Jewelry Arts from the University of Iowa. I live in Iowa City with two cats and some wonderful friends. I frequently travel to Canada to visit friends/family/pine trees/maple syrup. I love to travel everywhere else, too!

PHILOSOPHY

Zivilcourage (noun): The courage to stand up for what you believe in.

I will fight for what and who I love, but I will strive to always do so in the most peaceful way possible. I believe in the power of the arts to change the world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Explore, befriend, sleep on your couch, hopefully someday have you sleep on mine.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have couch-surfed in LA and Chicago. So far my couch surfing experiences have all been very positive. I hope to someday be able to return the favor!

Interests

I love books, art, theater, cats, trees, and feminism. I have an embarrassing fondness for pulp noir novels. I'm obsessed with dogsledding, Brazilian carnaval, the amazon rainforest, and Komodo dragons. I own six different books on treehouse architecture, and two on snowflake science/photography. I enjoy being outdoors and being active, especially rock climbing and running. I love to learn languages, learn about other cultures, and get to know all different kinds of people from all over the world. I read articles about feminist/LGBT issues every day, and I do my best to keep up on current politics and world affairs.

In other words, I pretty much just am interested in anything that is interesting! I would love to learn about whatever you believe that to be. :)

• cats
• birds
• arts
• writing
• books
• theater
• architecture
• design
• photography
• womens rights
• running
• politics
• traveling
• origami
• outdoor activities
• surfing
• rock climbing
• languages
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: I love to read books, especially novels. Although I do enjoy some classics, my focus is on contemporary fiction, both because it is pertinent to what is happening NOW and because there is more and more diversity in the publishing industry every day. Some of my favorites are: The Secret Lives of People in Love, Swan Gondola, The Flamethrowers, Blown Figures, The Life And Times of Trobadara Beatrice, Catcher in the Rye, and The Boy Detective Fails.

Plays: I also love to read, and, more to the point, see plays! Some of my favorite playwrights are Martin McDonough (The Pillowman), Caryl Churchill (Stryker), Allen Bennett (The History Boys), Eugene O'Neil (A Long Day's Journey Into Night), Sarah Kane (Blasted), Jen Silverman (Angel Bones), Sarah Ruhl (In The Next Room or The Vibrator Play), Tony Kushner (Angels in America), and many others.

Movies: I like movies that make me think (Pi), movies that make me feel (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain), movies that make me cry (The Wind Rises), movies that bring me to the edge of my seat (Run Lola Run), movies that make me laugh (Little Miss Sunshine), and movies that are just plain beautiful (The Fall).

Comic Books: I love comic books and graphic novels, especially ones with badass female characters and unique art. Some of my favorites are: Love & Rockets, Ghost, Veil, Castle Waiting, RASL, The Daytripper, Sex Criminals, The Little Encyclopedia of Early Earth, and Persepolis.

T.V Shows: I love Buffy, Firefly, Doctor Who, Elementary, Flight of the Concords, Madmen, Parks and Recreation, Breaking Bad, and Adventure Time.

Music: I listen to a lot of music, but who doesn't? I love live music, especially if someone will dance with me! The most amazing concerts I have been to, in no particular oder, are: Janelle Monae, The Flaming Lips, Of Montreal, Andrew Bird, DeVotchka, and The Dresden Dolls.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One time I was by Notre Dame in Paris and there was this crazy old man with dark shades who was feeding the sparrows in the park. There were seriously like 500 sparrows on his hand at once. I'm not exaggerating. (I'm exaggerating a little.) Anyway I started talking to him and he gave me some of the pastry he was using and then there were 500 sparrows (give or take 490) on my hand. Their feet were so light you could hardly feel that they were there. (Actually, it felt rather similar to the kisses that don't quite touch the cheek that everyone in France gives one another by way of greeting.) Also, birdman didn't steal anything from me. And he took my picture with the birds.

Teach, Learn, Share

I make really rad salads. I am an experienced seamstress and metalworker. I know a lot of origami patterns by heart, the best of which is a dragon. I've studied french for six years. I'm really good at roof-hopping. I love to tell stories.

I would love to share any or all of these skills with you! :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cuba, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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