Hi there!

I am an American who grew up in Southern California and Arizona, and ended up working in tech despite studying the Fine Arts in college! After 15 years of busting my ass and teaching myself the Computer Science I should have studied in college instead, I decided to take some time out of the rat race and spend some of my hard earned money on travel.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It just makes sense. I'm a solo traveler, but I'm not a twenty-something, anymore. Party hostels are not really my thing...although I've met some amazing people during my stays therein. I could spend a lot of money on an expensive hotel, where my suitcase and belongings would stay in questionable security, while I explored my destinations, and be isolated from the world...OR I could meet locals who live in the area and get GOOD recommendations on food, clubs, things to do, etc. The $$$ savings are definitely a bonus, too.

Interests

• architecture
• painting
• music
• history
• art
• history and culture

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Dark electronic...some call it Synthwave these days. Stuff like The Midnight, Gunship, Perturbator, Carpenter Brut, Nine Inch Nails, Gary Numan....but I listen to a lot of other things. Argentine tango, Fado, classical music, ambient electronic music, "intelligent dance music" ala Boards of Canada, and basically anything I can either move to or code to.

Books: Ho, boy. Science Fiction is up there: Altered Carbon, Dune, Ender's Game, Snow Crash, Neuromancer...you know, the classics. ;) Russian fiction is also a favorite (I am on the same dark brainwave of Chekov, apparently). Kafka, Dostoeskvy.

Movies: My guilty indulgence is cheesy Schwarzenegger action movies. Running Man, T2, Predator. Continuing my predilection for hard science fiction, the Aliens films (including Prometheus), and both Blade Runner films.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I became debt-free and financially independent at the age of 41.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am curious about Epistemology and the skills involved in being a practicing teacher. I would argue that my ignorance on the topics is what currently prevents me from confidently employing myself in the role. But, no time like the present?

That said, I conducted classes in teaching Computer Programming, Linux, Networking, and Configuration Management (an arcane, dark art that pays well in Silicon Valley) in the last two companies I was employed. I could also teach basic guitar, audio synthesis theory, and recording experience from my stint as a member of an industrial metal band in my thirties.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A warm personality, gratitude, an ear to listen and a mind to converse. I'm a very clean guest (and can provide testimonials from my AirBNB stays!)

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States