CURRENT MISSION

Provide a free travelling library of 'lost & forgotten' poetry for the good citizens of the world, which'll allow us to jump on out w/some CS help to reach the parts other libraries have yet to reach

ABOUT ME

This is what my life was like before I became a travelling library of 'lost & forgotten' poetry without a permanent home: I played in 2 bands, choreographed dance moves for another (a japanese punk pop band), plus I promoted and organised poetry and music events inbetween cycling around carrying a bag load of books (when I had a bike! Boo! No bike! As it won't fit in my library rucksack!) You may be able to tell I am a book freak. I love cooking spinach and egg soup and making interesting cheese and jam variant sandwiches (although the travelling library budget means this doesn't happen as often as I would like anymore!) I'm lefthanded and consequently have trouble turning keys in locks, which other people put down to me being blonde. I have a good collection of 78s, as well as 45s and a portable record player I DJ on . . . (la musique avec bibliotheque de poesie c'est tres chic non?) did I mention I love spinach?! I have a very bad newspaper habit, which I have managed to wean myself off as I DEFINITELY CANNOT afford the Guardian abroad. I play a mean game of yatzhe and carry a bag of dice everywhere I go.

PHILOSOPHY

Sold belongings (poetry library excepting). Left thing possibly termed a temporary abode eg. rented accommodation. Became Itinerant Poetry Librarian. Currently couchsurfing the world and bringing a library of 'lost and forgotten' poetry to the people. What more is there in life. Nowt. That's what I say.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Since May 2006 I've existed as a travelling library of 'lost & forgotten' poetry, using the couchsurfing project to get my library & librarian around the world so people can get the chance to join my FREE fully operational public library of poetry. And it works. And it's amazing. Where's the library been? Amsterdam, Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Paris, Barcelona, Antwerp, London, York, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver BC, Leipzig, Ulm, Chemnitz, Rotterdam, Huntingdon, Cork, St. Andrews, Romania, Washington DC, Boston MA . . . we're coming to a town near you soon if there's a rideshare there, a couch to surf, and places to install a free library! Come Join Us!

Interests

Poetry. Obviously. But actually I prefer contemporary fiction and love haruki murakami, jose saramago, paul auster and julie orringer's 'how to breathe underwater' short story collection. . . I also love playing and listening to music, absorbing information and passing it on to others who want to learn stuff, and meeting cool people who aren't afraid of life's unknowns.

• books
• poetry
• dancing
• cooking
• cheese
• traveling
• music
• cycling
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

Arturo Ripstein is an amazing director. Plus I love love love City of Lost Children. Calamity Jane and anything with doris day or marlene dietrich is pretty good too of course!
Music: four tet, tim buckley, folktronica, manitoba (now caribou), tortoise, susumu yokota, jazz, good funk, disco, improvisation and instrumental type stuff. Which is what my band Sunday Music plays: https://myspace.com/sundaymusic

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Rode around the pyramids on a motorbike for my 22nd birthday. Worked as a journalist in hong kong when I was 19 and accidentally had a triad boyfriend.

Teach, Learn, Share

To see where we and the library are right now, check out our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheItinerantPoetryLibrarian/ as we install the library in Europe and beyond. With a bit of couchsurfing help, no doubt. Come join the cause!

What I Can Share with Hosts

1. Great kitchen skillz, including making fabulous soups and cakes, as well as most other foodie things as well as cleaner-upper extraordinaire.
2. Life and learning advice and information.
3. Library of "lost & forgotten" poetry.
4. Wit.
5. Excellent music.
6. Experiences you will never forget.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Germany, Spain, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States

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