I'm currently working on my doctorate in Political Science, but what led me to study this whole mess is an intense fascination with and commitment to the world. It's those overlooked things, those mundane and minute interactions between people/places/matter, that fills our world with meaning on a daily basis. The abrasion or unexpected combination of these little things -- like the intuition to repurpose old mechanical parts from a washing machine to fashion a makeshift motor-bike, or perforating a discarded metal tray to tap into the audio-visual airwaves overhead, or spreading a rumor based on a dream that collectively swirls into an emancipatory movement -- all impart lessons about the possibilities that exist at hand, and the unorthodox ways they come alive!

Some of my friends and I have built a temporary home for ourselves by calling this overwhelming feeling "politics" and trying to study it and follow its emergence. But I'm sure it lives by other names, like love or laughter, making art or living your best life, sharing a good story or memory with friends, or just bonding by spitting shit with strangers and fellow travelers.

I grew up on a small island off the coast of Southern California. It's called Santa Catalina Island, or sometimes more affectionately "The Island of Romance." Growing up on Catalina had the perks of living in a supportive and convivial community, with all the peculiarities and drama of small-town life. But it also awakened within me a constant reminder of how big the world can be, it nurtured a hunger to go explore and learn about everything that lives beyond the lazy horizon of the California coastline. A Trinidadian writer/historian named CLR James once said: "It seems that those who come from a small island always think of revolution in very wide terms." I think James was probably referring to Haiti or Martinique, but there's a young and dumb part of me that feels like no sentence has more truly expressed the curious predicament of my being. As I learn and grow and explore places way beyond the horizon of my island home, I'm learning to love the symptoms of my peculiar existence and appreciate the insatiable fascination I've developed for this world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

One of the things I love most about travel is the opportunity to meet fun and interesting people. I'm looking forward to sharing stories, learning new things about other cultures, and making new bonds and memories with other cool people I meet through CS!

Interests

• arts
• culture
• books
• poetry
• street art
• coffee
• partying
• clubbing
• house parties
• music
• live music
• jazz
• hiking
• swimming
• anthropology
• political science
• food
• film
• biking
• learning spanish
• critical theory

Music, Movies, and Books

(for now)
BOOKS
The Madman of Freedom Square
Amerika
The Enchantment of Modern Life
Black Marxism: The Making of the Black Radical Tradition
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Fantasia: An Algerian Cavalcade

MOVIES
Children of Paradise
Love and Anarchy; or this morning at 10, on Via dei Fiori, in a noted brothel
Babylon Berlin
Hiroshima Mon Amour

MUSIC
Frank Ocean
SZA
The Internet (and Syd, Deem Spencer, Steve Lacey as solo acts)
Ethiopiques
Chance the Rapper
Coltrane/Davis/Ellington/Monk
MF DOOM
Kanye West
King Krule
Dr. Bombodee (Walter Ferguson)

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm always happy to share my enthusiasm and curiosity! I love to try new things, and would be happy to accompany hosts on excursions or adventures, whether that be learning to cook a new cuisine or hitting the club.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Panama, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States