CURRENT MISSION

In April 2015 I'll be visiting Zimbabwe for the first time since my family left in 1995. Terror/excitement. Planning and funding that is taking priority at the moment.

ABOUT ME

Coffee wench, performance artist, event organiser, life model, Tawdry Trainwreck, curator and rabble-rouser - I wear a lot of hats and have my fingers in many pies.

I'm a creative mad-woman; always on the go with a wide ranging sense of humour. I spend a lot of my energy on creative projects; either on my own artistic practice, public art events or in more light-hearted set and costume making for Dr.Sketchy's Anti-Art School events.

I love to laugh and connect with people - swapping stories, experiences and ideas. I'm open-minded and easy going and enjoy being around positive, like-minded people; particularly if there is food, drink or art involved.

Politics matter a lot to me. The personal is political and embodied. I'm a vocal and passionate feminist, and if that's a swear-word to you, then we're unlikely to get along. I'd rather get that out of the way sooner, than later.

PHILOSOPHY

Your life will flash past your eyes before you die; make it worth watching.
Live a life that you will enjoy telling your grandchildren about

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm keen to meet up with travellers and give tips for Chch or wherever else when I can - being a busy person I don't have a lot of spare time on my hands, but am happy to try and put aside some time to write a good outline of what post-quake Chch has to offer (more than you'd expect!).

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have been lucky enough to stay at what just might be the ultimate CS place in Williamsburg, NYC. A wholly enjoyable experience where I met some amazing people from all around the globe.

Interests

Food and drink - any and all sorts.

Travel and different cultures

Reading - can't live happily without a good book.

History, myth and legend

Museums

Sociology, anthropology, archaeology (Indiana Jones was my hero...)

Cartoons and anime - from Avatar (the last airbender) to Samurai Jack, South Park to Angry Beavers, old Xmen cartoons and Ouran High School Host Club, Clone Wars to The Mysterious Cities of Gold... the list could go on....

Movies and films - I'm a sucker for BADass 80's action movies and most things with explosions. I like violent and gory movies but not horror.

Art ART ART ART (and art openings: free booze = good booze)

• arts
• books
• performing arts
• dining
• coffee
• modeling
• drinking
• clubbing
• politics
• anime
• cartoons
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• anthropology
• history
• sociology

Music, Movies, and Books

I read a wide range of things...Be it an epic fantasy (preferred), historical romance (read slyly when noone's watching), contemporary literature (read haughtily, then re-read when I realise I didn't understand it the first time) or non-fiction (usually about art/artists/history/gender studies/mass culture)...
Some favourites are: Robin Hobb, Angela Carter (esp. Nights at the Circus), Terry Pratchett - perfect aeroplane reading...

I like delicious cinematography and cheesy unreal fight scenes. My film education is shamefully lacking for an art school graduate, haha, but some of my favourite movie are:

Kill Bill, House of Flying Daggers, Kung Fu Hustle (if you can't laugh at this movie, you won't understand me, sorry), Hero, Watchmen, Conan the Barbarian, Battle Royale, most superhero movies, Amelie, Full Metal Jacket and other Stanley Kubrick films, Clint Eastwood's films... and many more.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Just one?

Climbed into the Tiger fort in Jaipur (India) via the local backstreets and up a winding goat path. We had the place to ouselves (except for monkeys). The three of us then climbed back out, down an almost sheer rockface and ended up in the neighbourhood outdoor toilet at the foot of the huge hill... we were 'rescued' by a local boy who we hung out with for the rest of the afternoon speaking about Shah Ruk Khan and Bollywood.

My hobby is flesh suspension. Yup, I like to hang off hooks pierced through my skin. It's not as grotesque or gory as most people imagine.

I've licked my way out of a cage that I built out of toffee....

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm more than happy to share any tips/knowledge of places I have been before or am now.

I'm keen to meet up with other artists, particularly those who work in performance and socially engaged practice.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, India, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe

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