I run a DIY communal house, studio, workshop, music venue in South Minneapolis, Minnesota. I'm also a small-time landlord, handy-man, music teacher, and general trouble maker.
I try to focus my energy on people and art, and to keep my wits about me in these treacherous capitalist endtimes. I don't like television or big stores. I do like to know what my friends and associates are all about and why. I love conversation, but not on the internet. I prefer live music to canned, even if it's not that good. I keep cats, but I relate better to dogs. I make compromises every day, but I don't give up.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I have an extra room! For the past year we've been hosting travelers, bands, and occasionally a friend in between apartments. But the room remains empty three days out of four, and that's a shame. I'm pathologically extroverted, and quite happy to have new friends in my home every night of the week - so why not open the room to strangers?
I'd also like to couch surf on my own travels in the future, especially in Europe.

Interests

• cats
• dogs
• folklore
• music festivals
• dancing
• swing dancing
• folk dancing
• cooking
• beer
• coffee
• drinking
• board games
• socializing
• music
• live music
• punk music
• folk music
• rock music
• guitar
• piano
• violin
• drums
• hiking
• camping
• dance
• bicycling
• indie rock
• card games
• bass guitar
• smoking
• psychedelics
• vegetarian cooking
• pipe smoking
• ukelele
• magic the gathering
• contra dancing
• banjo
• larp
• dagorhir

Music, Movies, and Books

Top 5 Books:
-The Art of Style, by Strunk and White
-Tortilla Flat, by John Steinbeck
-The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula LeGuin
-Flow My Tears the Policeman Said, by Philip K Dick
-Breakfast of Champions, by Kurt Vonnegut

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I built a period-reenactment Boy Scout camp in Northern Wisconsin. Wrote the proposals, drew the construction plans, recruited volunteers and hired staff, wrote the programming, and ran the thing through construction and its first year. Thousands of kids have played at Vikings and Lumberjacts there in the years since.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I've been teaching guitar for over fifteen years, and can help aspiring musicians with a variety of instruments, as well as song writing, performance, and musical communication.
I cook well with whatever is on hand, especially fresh vegetables.
I can fix anything. I mean really - as a small-time landlord my job is basically fixing anything.
Most of all I aspire to an open heart and mind, and love meeting new people.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States