I'm pretty simple, eclectic, and independent. I've worked hard to be where I am, have accomplished a fair amount, and overall am happy and content with my life and excited to see what else is in store.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Well, let's see, not exactly the traditional CS motive, however when I get around to traveling some more, and have a more established residence, I will definitely become and active member of this community. I had heard a lot about it in the past, but never check it out firsthand until very recently, and it strikes me as very much right up my alley. So onwards:

For the first time in my life I left it all behind. I come from the Phoenix, AZ suburbs and while I have traveled a fair bit, I've never just gotten up and left. I packed up, stored, and/or gave away all my things, and left to the Pacific Northwest for an opportunity to learn homesteading, renewable energy, and sustainability practices with a figure quite well known in that community. Upon getting there, and working at his homestead on Guemes Island just off Anacortes, Washington for a few weeks, I realized it had been falsely advertised, that I was doing things I already knew how to do, and that it was more along the lines of unpaid grunt work than the learning opportunity I had sought out for my summer away from home. I packed up, had good words with the man, and it motivated me greatly. Now I'm on a different mission and an adventure. So far its been great. Now, after exploring the region a bit I've moved on and have planted in Bellingham. I have a couple close friends who married each other a couple years ago, and moved here, and I stay with them several nights/days a week, have access to their utilities when I need them, and during the week have been camping out. Needless to say, this is unprecedented and I've never been so unestablished, but it's not so bad at all, I'm quite liking it. In any case, while I've never 'couchsurfed', this is me reaching out. I have some residual income, a vehicle, and have finally gotten a job after a couple long weeks of nonstop searching. While I'm still getting situated, I figure it can't hurt to meet some good people via CS, perhaps have a place to stay here and there as opposed to always camping(which I am actually enjoying), and network and make friends in the process. I could use the social interaction, and I'm doing my best to get out of my comfort zone in that way. I'll be into my own place within a couple weeks, but perhaps until then we can help each other, maybe even come camp out with me despite the burn ban bummers :)

Interests

Yoga, Travel, Education, Fitness, Holistic/Alternative Health Therapies, Fine Whiskey, Wine, and Coffee, Skateboarding, and my most prized tangible, my motorcycle, which I left in Arizona for the time being. *tear* ;)

• education
• human rights
• wine
• coffee
• fitness
• yoga
• anime
• traveling
• homesteading
• camping
• skateboarding
• anthropology
• divinity
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

My tastes in entertainment are all over, and I'm generally pretty open. Musically, the piano is my favorite instrument, although I don't play. Learning to play it well has become one of my shorter term goals and I am excited to get that going soon. Groups I love include the Counting Crows, Dispatch, Elton John, SOJA, Tribal Seeds, SOL, Blue Scholars, Atmosphere, The Expendables, Rebelution, Rise Against, Rage Against the Machine, Iration, Daft Punk, Ellie Goulding, Boston, Journey, Duran Duran, and lots of others, the list goes on.

I have read The Lord of the Rings several times over, as well as Harry Potter and many many Star Wars novels. I enjoy any books regarding topics listed above, and anything related to Bushido. I love to read and always appreciate a good literary recommendation.

As far as movies, anything thrilling, mind-twisting, heartfelt will do. I love documentaries and have stumbled onto some fantastic animes, namely Gankutsuo, Samurai Champloo and Basilisk. Name a movie and maybe we'll watch it together :)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My life has flashed before my eyes on several occasions, even once on this trip, all of which have been very humbling and have changed my life for the better.

A couple impactful times in my life include growing up Mormon. I am no longer religious and saw the light through a series of theological/dogmatic conflicts. Also, I served in the Arizona Army National Guard for 3 years(never deployed thankfully). Both these experiences helped me become the person I am today, helping me to grow and both lent to bringing out my somewhat innate anti-establishment nature. I've done quite the 180 today from the person I was then. I firmly believe in a quote that has stuck with me from the anime Gankutsuo (a futuristic re-do of The Count of Monte Cristo), "Nothing happens out of coincidence, only out of necessity."

Teach, Learn, Share

My favorite subjects to learn about and converse over include topics of social justice, human rights, sustainability practices, philosophy, theology, anthropology, physiology, botany, and many more. I am fairly eclectic and enjoy most any substantive dialog and company

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am willing to contribute quality and safe company/companionship, household chores/duties, consideration of you and your space, to leave things cleaner and better than I find them, and hopefully an overall unique experience for both of us.

Countries I’ve Visited

England, Mexico, Scotland