CURRENT MISSION

To ask myself aloud "how in the world did I end up right here, right now?"

ABOUT ME

Still trying to figure out what to make of it all...

I am a purebred Minnesotan, born and raised. I spent the first twenty-some-ought years of my life there before moving to Oregon for a few years. After a layover in Madison for more schooling, I am settled out in beautiful Denver, CO.

I am always seeking balance in life... Work hard, play hard... be grateful for every little thing that is important to me but always seek out the next thing (and 'thing' does not mean material)... stay rooted with who you are and where you came from, but go see the world.

PHILOSOPHY

I can't say I have some well established personal philosophy, but a few thoughts:

I am always cynical, but very hopeful

Irony makes me laugh

I really can't stand hypocrites, so I try to avoid being one myself

I like to believe that humans are generally well intentioned and care for a fellow stranger, which is validated by something like CouchSurfing

I try to live like today could be my last, but I hate operating under the assumption that I might die tomorrow

We have two ears and one mouth for a reason, so listen up

It is easier to keep your lies straight if you don't tell any

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I started out by surfing, spent a few years hosting people, and I have recently surfed on my latest trip. Depending on my living situation in a few months, I will be back to hosting. I am always a fan of participating in CS events or just meeting someone for a coffee/drink. I swear by it as the best way to see a new place... throw your Lonely Planet in the garbage!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Surfed for a few nights in Athens, Amsterdam, Jordan and Istanbul, and hosted a few travelers on their way through Cyprus and Oregon. We made a fool of my traveling buddy in Athens, I got lost and wondered if I would ever find my host in rural Jordan, walked the streets of Mumbai when I really needed help, and have toured the quaint little town of Bend, Oregon with a number of guests.

Interests

Traveling, biking, hiking, conversating, laughing, bitching, sports, baseball, music, family, friends, comraderie, IPAs, other good beer, renewable energy, pissing, moaning, forgetting about it all, being grateful for the world

• dancing
• beer
• coffee
• drinking
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• hiking
• surfing
• skiing
• sports
• baseball
• softball

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm all over the place on music, so here's just a smattering: Dave Brubeck, Miles Davis, Ella, Frank Sinatra, Buena Vista Social Club, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, Eric Clapton, The Black Keys, Sharon Jones, Eddie Vedder, Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers, Ben Howard, Cloud Cult, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Public Radio! Oh, and I am secretly in love with Brandi Carlile, but don't tell anyone.

On books, anything non-fiction that has to do with politics, world policy, and impending doom (or at least the risks we face, sorry to be so negative!)... the Censored series, Chomsky, Behind the Beautiful Forevers, Shantaram, Life of Pi, 1984

I love movies when I watch them, but I watch far too few for my own good.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound in southern New Zealand... undisturbed and absolutely beautiful.

My time in India amazed me even during the most mundane everyday events.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you how to be a very mediocre mountain biker, skier, or softball/baseball player. I can tell you all about the solar industry and how it will and won't save the world. I can teach you to shuck sunflower seeds like a champion.

Can anyone teach me to swing dance? I ain't got no groove, but I have always wanted learn.

Countries I’ve Visited

Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Greece, India, Jordan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Cyprus, United States

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