ABOUT ME

I've spent my adult life in a constant state of motion as I move from place to place every two years or so... It's getting old as I consider the benefits of picking a "home" location and limiting my continued travels to visits instead - let's see how long this lasts ;)

PHILOSOPHY

I want to give back more than I take from the community at large, I believe everyone has been created intrinsically good and with a purpose, and I take pleasure in helping people realize their highest calling. I don't think any of us are supposed to do this thing alone and I think it's a great loss when we don't allow ourselves to ask for help... yet I find myself trying to "do it myself" more than I'd care to admit.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm currently living with three other people so my ability to host depends on their willingness and schedules, too. We do have a couple couches in the community spaces, but one of my housemates works thirds, so if it's one of his off nights it would be easier to stay in my room with me.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've had this account for years but I'm embarrassed to say I've never really taken advantage of all it has to offer. I did spend a year traveling the country and staying with people in the towns I visited along the way - many of whom were people I looked up online a day or two before arriving. That's when I learned how great it can be to hang out with locals who really know the best things about their town... and when my living conditions permit, I try to keep my couch available when someone needs a place to stay.

Interests

I like to read, watch movies, play cards, and hike. While I wouldn't say I'm a cyclist (I'm not that skill level yet), I would call myself a cycling enthusiast as I train to participate in fundraising rides across the country...

• movies
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm an avid reader and now that I've discovered digital reading I'm able to do even more of it! I usually really enjoy biographies and lately my reading has been focused more on fiction... but I'm always open to a good recommendation. I also have a degree in comics so it goes without saying that I'm reading those fairly regularly.
I like most types of music but my collection consists of a lot of Motown and pop. I'm pretty fickle and my tastes change from day to day, but I can't usually listen to angry/yelling music for very long.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

On my first (and only) visit to the Grand Canyon I picked up a hitchhiker who turned out to be a visitor from the Czech Republic who had been looking forward to seeing the Grand Canyon his whole life - we spent the afternoon together and he tagged along with me until the next day when I dropped him off at the train station. We stayed in touch for some time after that and I'm grateful that we had each other to share an amazing adventure with!
In 2011, I participated in my first SmartRide, a 2 day, 165-mile bike ride from Miami to Key West to raise money for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
In 2013, I took part in ODRAM (One Day Ride Across Michigan), a one day, 150-mile bike ride from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada