ABOUT ME

Problem-solver; builder; product/project manager; tech geek; philosopher; fitness enthusiast (HIT & Paleo)

PHILOSOPHY

I'm an Objectivist, if that means anything to you. (And I love discussing philosophy, if you haven't figured that out by now!)

Politically, my views can most generally be understood as libertarian-leaning, but that's not exactly precise. I favor laissez-faire capitalism, meaning I believe that the government's sole purpose and role is to protect individual rights (and what that means is a much longer discussion).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My (now former) roommate introduced me to couchsurfing, and we've hosted many surfers over the course of about two years (some of whom became bona fide roommates!).

(My account doesn't show me hosting any surfers, as it was all done through his account.)

Interests

I love the outdoors. I don't get to do it often enough, but I love camping, hiking, etc. I like all kinds of recreational activities, like kayaking (and really, anything on the water or related to the beach), rugby, ultimate frisbee, snowboarding (I have an Epic pass this upcoming season!), just running around or swimming or whatever.

Then, of course, there are all my favorite TV shows (not in any particular order--this is copied-and-pasted): Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Alphas, Homeland, True Blood, Dexter, Community, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Doctor Who, Stargate (all of them), Heroes, Merlin, Torchwood, Star Trek (TNG, DS9, VOY), 24, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Veronica Mars, Bewitched, Caprica, Battlestar Galactica, Coupling, Dollhouse, Firefly, Earth: Final Conflict, Futurama, Arrested Development, House, I Dream of Jeannie, Xena: Warrior Princess, Hercules: The Legendary Journies, Lost, Sliders, South Park, Glee, Once Upon a Time, Game of Thrones

So what else? I love cooking Paleo meals, but for now, I'm kind of a 5-trick pony: omelettes, chicken salad, steak and Brussels sprouts, ground beef with grilled artichoke hearts, and meatza. These don't sound particularly novel, but believe me, they're delicious. Or don't believe me--if you're lucky, you'll get to judge for yourself.

I was a math major as an undergrad, and went to law school, thinking that would be a good, practical implementation of my interest in philosophy, but I realized that law wasn't really for me (long story!). Meanwhile, I developed a passion for management, and coupled with my longstanding background in tech, I found my current career passion: product and project management.

I'm super excited about philosophy, especially epistemology. I love coming to understand how our minds work, especially on the conscious level--how we form concepts, what constitutes objectivity, and figuring out the details of proper induction.

Maybe some less important things...I used to play piano (pretty seriously for about 10 years), I sang in middle and high school, I'm pretty obsessive-compulsive about data logging and retention (e.g., I check in on Foursquare, Miso, MyFitnessPal), I don't know anything about fashion and rarely buy new clothes, I love hot weather, I'm (was?) an Eagle Scout, and the rest, you'll have to find out on your own.

• books
• fashion
• cooking
• fitness
• running
• clothing
• technology
• tv
• piano
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• kayaking
• camping
• snowboarding
• rugby
• swimming
• law
• mathematics
• medicine
• philosophy
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Books:
Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, Harry Potter, The Time Traveler's Wife, His Dark Materials, many, many geeky philosophy non-fiction books

Movies:
300, V for Vendetta, Agora, The Time Traveler's Wife, Stargate (all of them), X-Men, The Matrix, Back to the Future, Sunshine Cleaning, Serenity, Star Trek: First Contact

Music:
Mozart, Bach, Chopin, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Coldplay, ABBA, Queen, Keane, The Killers, Maroon 5

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I started and ran a very successful philosophy organization for 7 years while I was a student at UCLA. We put on large-scale events (one in excess of 500 attendees) and conferences (one with the Chief Justice of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals).

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Israel, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States