I'm a long-time traveler out exploring the world. My background is film production and I've lived in New York and Los Angeles my entire adult life. Recently officially located to Florida though I expect I'll end up back in Los Angeles.

I work where film production intersects with technology. My background and passion is in the startup world. I adore people that have an idea and run with it overcoming all odds.

I love history, especially military and political history. This is usually the focus of my travels...unless I'm traveling with a girlfriend in which case botanical gardens and wine bars seem to figure more prominently.

I volunteer with nonprofit groups in the U.S. dedicated to recovering American Missing in Action remains mostly from World War II. I've been fortunate enough to have worked in amazing places on these projects.

Nothing makes me happier than bantering with new people and learning about how they live their lives in societies different from mine. These exchanges are priceless.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am new to Couchsurfing. Usually I stay at inexpensive hostels and hotels or arrange homestays through local contacts. For whatever reason, despite years of travel, I haven't used Couchsurfing.

I've well-accustomed to places with no tourism infrastructure. But sometimes a little help seems nice, so that's why I signed up. Another way to interact with locals and like-minded travelers. And keep expenses more manageable on occasion.

Interests

• politics
• technology
• business
• entrepreneurship
• history
• diving
• startups
• film history
• web development
• military history

Music, Movies, and Books

MUSIC: Classic rock, country, WWII music

MOVIES: Silent films! "Casablanca," "Before Sunrise," independent film, David Lean, Claude Lelouch, John Hughes

BOOKS: History nonfiction, biographies, Ayn Rand

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Run a startup company. Nothing I've done has proven more demanding, taxing, and rewarding. It takes years of effort and maybe it pays off, maybe it doesn't. Either way, it's a blessing to have an idea and be able to chase it down.

I adore hanging out with people that have big ideas and the tenacity to figure it out. Or at least try.

Teach, Learn, Share

Exchanging ideas about different ways of life is what excites me. I am looking to learn.

More specifically, I often travel to explore U.S. foreign policy and make first-hand assessments of what works and what doesn't. I am not out to influence policy, it's just for my own edification. Though it's cool hanging out with friends in the Washington, D.C. establishment and comparing notes on these topics.

I volunteer a lot teaching people tech stuff. I build big web infrastructure professionally and empowering others, especially entrepreneurs, to leverage simple tools toward furthering business objectives is a passion.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am a Couchsurfing newbie. However I can't imagine it's at all different than from the countless stays I've had with amazing people around the world and the travelers I've had the good fortune to host in New York and Los Angeles.

Exchange of ideas and sharing local insight. That's what it's about.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Egypt, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Myanmar, Netherlands, North Korea, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vatican City State, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States