UPDATE: I moved in November, 2022 within the same building into a 2BR that I share with a roommate. I currently am hosting *very rarely.

Both of us are gay men. At this time, with the setup of my new apartment, it's just most practical that I host other gay men. My roommate has 3 small parakeets in a cage, so you need to be ok with that.

I'm vaccinated + boosted 4x for COVID and 2x for mpox.
You?
I'm vaccinated 2/2 for mpox.
I'm allergic to cigarette smoke on clothes, and only welcome non-smokers.

(The rest was written for my former 1BR apt.)
I've lived in DC's most diverse neighborhood, Adams Morgan, for 14 non-continuous years since 1999 and love it. I've lived in my current 1BR apartment since October 2018. One guest back in early 2020 indelicately pointed out that I don't look like my photos. He hasn't been heard from since 🤣. My main profile photo is actually current as of March 2023.

I love what CouchSurfing is supposed to be about. People meeting and exchanging with and getting enriched by each other. CS really takes down this world of walls that culturally exists around us, but which doesn't have to, and which shouldn't. Ideas and people and acting on those ideas can indeed change our culture. What a great contribution I think this can make.

I'm happy to be open and respond to questions and all, share more about who I be .. .

I've been a lifelong community activist, advocating for opening up the political system and making government more responsive to people. I lived my first 35 years in my home state of NJ, 32 in my home town of River Edge, and then moved to DC.

If the fictional Lucy Ricardo and the real Captain VonTrapp were to have a baby, I might just be it. Wait, don't stop reading just cause of that! But, yeah, I'm part serious intense and determined, and part goofy.

I lived in Portland, Oregon in '08 and '09. While I appreciate things about the East Coast, I do think people in Oregon are nicer. Sorry, folks in my region of the country.

I'm passionate and idealistic, but I deeply care about achieving results in effecting change, so I pay a lot of attention to politics and community perspectives. I've sung in gay men's choruses in NJ, DC and Portland, though not singing now.

One last thing. I'm really put out by one thing about Couchsurfing.com . Why -- WHY I ask -- don't they recognize JERSEY as a language?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

The initial trigger for it was my having registered for an out-of-town community activist conference unrelated to my job, so I was looking to save money. But my values and interests very nicely align with the mission of CS. I love building community ... wherever I am. It might sound corny, but just before I enter the elevator in my apartment building, I always put away my smartphone. We gotta say hello to each other ;-).

Interests

Politics, transit, gay community, Jewish culture, fostering local community, outdoors

Music, Movies, and Books

I love music from all the way back to the 40s (especially big band sound) up to the early 80s. Simon and Garfunkel and Chicago have long been my favorite groups. I have an alto sax in the closet, it really should come out.

For movies -- I love what they call .. spoiler alert, I figure this is sexist and I hope it ain't a serious offense ..I love ... "chick flicks," what can I tell ya. And movies with a principled or moral message. Take the Sound of Music, for instance. Most people think, "Oh what a wonderful musical!" Me? Um, I think of Captain VonTrapp's principled bravery. I've betrayed gay men on that one.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I co-sponsored an event on nonviolence, featuring the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Arun Gandhi.

Teach, Learn, Share

I will happily teach you how to speak Jersey. Like this, repeat after me....

Ahl haply teacha hauda speak Jersey. Like dis. Peat afta me.

There, I just taught you how to speak another language.

Thaiuh, I jus tawtya hauda speakanudda lanwidge.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States