CURRENT MISSION

Make art, write, live happy and well, circulate the gift....

ABOUT ME

We are soulmates who are celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary. Hugh teaches at an art school and writes amazing poetry. Mary is a former antique and folk art importer who is now an artist, Commissioner on Homelessness, and activist. Hugh is chief steward for his union. We walk the walk!

Hugh is working on his latest book (amazing flash fiction), and I just got accepted to the Kolajfest in New Orleans, which we're both really looking forward to attending. I'm also learning Catalan now, and am slightly addicted to telenovelas (especially campy ones like El Internado, or this amazingly gonzo Turkish one that is dubbed in Spanish, 46.

We are both basically down to earth, though we both have a twisted sense of humor. We both have a quiet, contemplative side as well.

PHILOSOPHY

Today's thought:
Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of tiny minds--Emerson.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We would love to introduce people to the area, give advice, maybe share meals or host, but we have to be really sympatico as our place is small... We have a double air mattress.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

We've surfed with David (thanks cuz!) and Philippe and hosted Thomas and Nicolas. We already knew David, but met Philippe, Thomas and Nicolas through this site. We also surfed in Belgium, and it was amazing!

Interests

Writing, poetry, making art, culture vulturing, scavenging amazing things, travel, meditation, environmental/progressive activism, learning languages, fair trade, sf, mystical philosophy, organic gardening, off-grid living.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• poetry
• civil rights
• cooking
• recipes
• running
• meditation
• gardening
• traveling

Music, Movies, and Books

Mary: Well, this all depends on when you ask me! Today, I would say...
Movies: Flash Gordon (okay, I'd always say Flash Gordon); Spirited Away; Bladerunner; Nightwatch and Daywatch; Amelie; the Saragossa Manuscript; Pan's Labyrinth; Kontroll; The Dirty Dozen (sentimental reasons as well as high camp); early noir such as the Big Sleep; Chinatown; Angel A; The Fifth Element...
And, okay, I admit we've both watched some TV, and our favorites include Battlestar Galactica; Angel; Buffy; El Internado; Diablero and other high geek fare. We also both love twisted comedy, including the Producers (original movie); Blazing Saddles (okay, Hugh, not me); most Monty Pythonesqe stuff. Hugh loves the League of Gentlemen (not to be confused with the League of Extraodinary Gentlemen).
Music: B-52s; Klezmatics; Pogues; Gogol Bordello; Magnetic Fields; Orchestra Baobab; Samba Ngo; Bob Marley; Mahler; Ray Charles ('50s R&B)
Books: Shy Green Fields (Hugh Behm-Steinberg, perfect pillow book!); The Bloody Chamber (feminist fairy tales, Angela Carter, actually most fairly tales); His Dark Materials (Philip Pullman); recently, the Yiddish Policeman's Union.
Hugh:
Movies--Recently saw Juno and liked it. Will post favorites later.
Music: Tastes run wide--Sonic Youth to Die Fledermaus. Depends when you ask.
Books: Too many poets to list, though I'm really into Paul Celan and Robert Creely.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I had a mystical experience that led directly (and quite specifically) to a major life change (a direct description of my husband to be and where he would be waiting). If you want to know more, you might just have to put us up....;)

Also, I was once smuggled onto a Chinese army base without my prior knowledge or consent...

Teach, Learn, Share

Mary:
I have become an expert on living very well on next to nothing and minimizing environmental impact at the same time. I'm always interested in swapping tips! Also, easy ways to learn Mandarin and other languages; bizarre textile techniques; various art techniques.
Hugh: Cooking tips and recipes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Belize, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, New Zealand, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, France, Spain, United States

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