I am a lecturer in film studies at the University of Gothenburg and between moving here, teaching and writing books, staying indoors with my partner (and feeding our cat, who has a considerable appetite), I have had very little chance to form a community of friends. I love knitting, weaving, drinking hot beverages and wine (when the sun is over the yardarm), reading a lot of books (especially old murder mysteries such as those written by Sayers and Tey- although the casual racism still horrifies me each and every time), going to the cinema, singing, playing violin, *trying* to play guitar, going to see all the art at museums and galleries, playing card games, laughing (probably my favourite thing ever). I adore cats and tend to be suspicious of people who don't like cats.... but that's my personal prejudice of choice. Like most people, I generally don't suffer utter twats or drug bores gladly.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To make friends! Lord, I want some more people to talk to around here....

Interests

• arts
• knitting
• cinema
• reading books
• museums
• weaving
• drinking tea
• drinking wine

Music, Movies, and Books

bof.... this is always tricky.
Music: I am a kid of the 80s so Kate Bush is pretty high on the list; I have adored PJ Harvey for a VERY long time indeed and consider her to be The Queen. St Vincent is Polly's handmaiden and partner in amazingness. I love Radiohead, The National and Interpol (yep, depressing), Mogwai are great. Grimes is great and I recently discovered that I like Beyonce's Beyonce album when I was on a long haul flight with nothing to do. I thought that was the 2 glasses of wine I had consumed, but it turns out she is pretty ace. Björk is, naturally, amazing..... so is Cat Power. I like Beach House a lot...Robyn is great, Postiljonen and Zola Jesus are all favourites, too.

Films: I have made an entire career on the back of Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides. I love the films of John Cassavetes, especially 'A Woman Under the Influence'. If it wasn't illegal, I would lock all my students in the lecture hall and make them watch Chantal Akerman's 'Jeanne Dielman' without a loo break. I love film.... it's my life. This box cannot contain or hold the depth of my love for cinema. My evenings currently *are* HBO because my partner has moved to Oslo and I only see her on the weekends. The Wire needs to go next to Shakespeare on your bookshelf, in my opinion. I am currently watching Donald Draper be an unrelenting arsehat to all women for the third time around (I really must make some friends).

Books: Iris Murdoch, Joan Didion, Patricia Highsmith, Anita Brookner, Lydia Davis, Penelope Fitzgerald, Margaret Drabble, Mary Gaitskill, Clarice Lispector, Eileen Myles, Chris Kraus.... these women understand the quagmire that is the human heart. Sometimes I read books written by men, too (case in point: I love Edward St Aubyn's Patrick Melrose books... the only time I have willingly tolerated drug bores).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have written some books. I was too busy indoors doing that so far to do anything else more amazing. No bungee jumping in New Zealand or abseiling upside down or swimming with dolphins here, thank you.
I will probably never go to India to *find* myself either.

Teach, Learn, Share

excuse me? is that some egregious scholarly version of Eat, Pray, Love because I brook no *namaste stuff*

What I Can Share with Hosts

my English sense of humour and my rapier sharp wit.
Seriously: I have no spare beds.... but I am looking to make some friends.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Netherlands, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom