Hello, my name is Cullen Curtis (Miller is on my ID and changing it costs money and paperwork blah blah blah.) I am art student, painting major, activist, aspiring nomad/farmer, permaculturist, yogi, bhikku, anarchist, philosopher, queer, human, etc. My girlfriend and I are in a committed, non-monogamous relationship, and live together in our fairly large apartment in Kansas City. Ordinarily we have our own rooms, but for hosting purposes we could share and open up one of our bedrooms for a couchsurfer or two. Our apartment also has like 3 open rooms with ample floor space and a couch. My girlfriend is vegan and I am a flexitarian; I'd like to eat all local homegrown, farm-raised food someday.

I like to talk about big topics and believe being open and vulnerable is how to really get to know people. I think I'm pretty easy to get along with, and traveling and hosting others bring out a pretty good side in me. I am always into new experiences, and appreciate people's ideas that I'd never come up with myself. I have many beliefs, including that life is meant to be lived by following one's Unique Way (Dao), Ultimate Truth (Dharma), to the beat of your own personal drummer. I aspire to live a life of constant searching for truth and meaning. I worry that, due to climate change, many things will cease to exist before I am able to see them, and I wish to travel in the most sustainable, anti-capitalist way possible to see as much of the world as I can before it is too late.

Perhaps now is a good time to mention that I'm ultimately very optimistic, and have a lot of faith in the kindness of strangers. I want to believe that someday we can create a world here in the states, even in cities, where people don't need to lock their doors all the time. I am a very mindful person throughout the entire day and all my activities, which makes me a pretty good house guest. I love collaboration, I have WOOFFed once some years ago, so I appreciate the give and take of platforms such as this and am happy be of some use to my host; I clean up after myself and will cook for everyone.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I believe in some basic core values like kindness, hospitality and generosity, and think things like Couchsurfing are essential to creating a more interconnected and compassionate. I believe this platform is one of the best things available on the internet, as it is capable of creating a truly global community, and is completely divorced from commerce (except for fees to verify your account, which for cost reasons I have abstained from...although I will likely cave and pay it to support the platform I'm singing the praises of...)

I am interested in non capitalistic modes of traveling. I want to see more of the world but I have limited means. I am happy to share whatever I am able to, and know other people feel similarly and would like to get in touch with them. I feel many of my sentiments are shared in this community of travelers looking to stay with other individuals instead of a hotel.

Interests

I like anything that is dynamic or multi-faceted, and don't have patience for things that are tired, repetitive or thoughtless (bad TV). Besides all of the other stuff I mentioned in my torrent of a biography, I am also interested in DIY music and house shows. I am interested in things that are positive, constructive, and actually sustainable (which will never include capitalism.)

• books
• diy
• yoga
• meditation
• politics
• homesteading
• music
• philosophy
• wwoof
• travel
• art
• nature
• spirituality
• plants
• buddhism
• queer
• art museums
• anarchism
• polyamory
• anti-capitalism
• skill sharing
• leftism

Music, Movies, and Books

I used to hang around the punk scene back in St. Louis, and have since expanded my tastes to include some oldschool country western, folk, and bluegrass, which I never thought would happen, as well as experimental projects and sound art. I still like to see shows at bars and clubs but there's something extra special about house shows.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I feel really challenged by this box and don't really want to say. I think really important things happen all the time in really small, un-romantic ways

Teach, Learn, Share

I know a lot of little tidbits, some more useful than others, and am happy to be helpful if I can. I am always open to learn something I don't know.

What I Can Share with Hosts

"Family Dinners," fiery roast sessions if we get going about some topic we both feel pointedly toward, amateur art museum docents (in the most amateur sense imaginable), I can also reach the top shelf.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, Jamaica, Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States