CURRENT MISSION

To follow my heart.

ABOUT ME

December 2015 Update:
Much, if not everything, is unclear. Nevertheless, I am learning, respecting, and trusting my heart and spirit more than ever.

As my sense of detachment grows, I continue to lighten my material and emotional load and allow myself to float more and more with the tides. I don't know what's coming next. I have very minimal desire to apply my brain to planning for the future (which is making writing this rather challenging), so I'm learning to trust the flow of life. It feels like time to move along and India presented itself, so with some nerve I am preparing for a life on the road and the many lessons that I may learn from that adventure.

From 2013:
Community is my "main thang", I have lots of little "thangs", but building and being a part of community is what I itch for. Has taken my whole life to really discover and label that. I believe the broad lack of community in the United States is one of the primary reasons for the great inequality that we experience, our individualized and extremely competitive culture, and our general lack of appreciation for life.

The rest of my life is largely defined by trying to make as little negative impact as possible. Unless I am confident an action is more beneficial to the planet than it is costly I will largely avoid it. I ride a bicycle for transportation, I avoid meat and dairy products when I can, I support local/organic/sustainable practices, I try to support local, socially, and environmentally conscious businesses, I reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle.

PHILOSOPHY

2015: I don't know (shoulder shrug), at least my conscious brain doesn't seem to. So I listen to my heart/soul and do what feels right.

2013: Do what you truly love. Think hard about ALL the costs/benefits and be certain that it will bring about a better world. Maybe most importantly, lead by example.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Probably similar reasons to a lot of other. I like to travel, and other options can be nice but locals know it best. Plus couchsurfing feels more sincere and honest an experience and connection. With typically amazing people, some of the most beautiful souls, from almost every destination, are a part of this Couchsurfing community!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Over the 2013/14 winter I hitchhiked and couchsurfed a large portion of the Southeastern United States. Couchsurfing with family, friends, friends of family and friends, and about a handful of people I hitched with or found on here.

As of November 18, 2013 I have had no, capital "C", Couchsurfing experience. But as far as couch surfing and general travel experience I have spent many a nights on friends' and family's floors and couches. On a similar note, I spent 5 months in 2010 traveling around the middle east and Eastern Europe, mostly staying in hostels, great great trip!

Interests

2015: Everything, to varying degrees.

2013:Having fun, being joyful, laughing, learning, conversation, playing, dancing, beer, volleyball, frisbee, games, good and great food, good music, almost any live music, climbing (rocks and random), yoga, bicycles, bicycling, architecture, culture, the world, trees, farming/gardening, permaculture, running, swimming, hiking, snowboarding, general adventure, acting like a child, being a child, acting like and being an adult, education, politics, love, peace, clothes, general shenanery and adventure...

• culture
• writing
• architecture
• design
• acting
• dancing
• education
• environment
• dining
• cooking
• beer
• yoga
• running
• gardening
• clothing
• politics
• traveling
• music
• live music
• hiking
• surfing
• snowboarding
• rock climbing
• volleyball
• swimming
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Listing favorites seems too simple, so this is the role MM&Bs are playing in my life.

Music and movies have consistently brought me so much simple pleasure over the years, hard to appreciate them enough for that. In recent times and as I move forward it seems as though my desire for and satisfaction from music and movies is dwindling, at least the big productions. Live intimate music is only getting more appealing.

Books. Really excited to be getting into reading more, books had never been a big part of my life. But the desire has grown over the years and I am finally truly enjoying reading and providing myself more and more time for it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

(From 2013, I'll update at some point)
The one that jumps out to me is taking a semester off of school to travel around the Middle East and Eastern Europe for 5 months. 13 countries, 40+ cities. Shook my world in the best way possible.

Teach, Learn, Share

(From 2013)
A couple of the other categories have triggered some of my thoughts, and as I touched on in my personal philosophy I would rather live the life that I have chosen and let people take from it what they will rather than intentionally try to teach anyone anything in specific. With that said, and aware that I am imperfect, I do like to challenge people to be more mindful of themselves and their interactions with/affects on others and the world.

Learning, I like to think that the majority of what I will learn in life will come about by simply living life and being mindful of the lessons that can be taken from every moment, interaction, and journey. However, right now I am specifically trying to accumulate the knowledge of what makes good architecture, urban design, and a built environment that will ultimately entourage a healthy community to develop. Insight?

I have a lot to share, for those that are interested. Something in particular is my experience of living in a cohousing community for 17 years, a somewhat "conventional" approach to an intentional community.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I like to think that I am a rather aware/observant and sensitive person, that puts a lot of care into allowing the space for others to comfortably be themselves. When the time is right, I love to share some good conversation.

Plus I am clean, easy going, and I can cook, at least a little.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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