CURRENT MISSION

I run Portland Underground Grad School (www.pugspdx.com), a place where lifelong learners can keep learning and growing throughout their entire lives affordably.

ABOUT ME

I've lived in Portland for 12 years. Before that, lived on the East Coast, raised in Silicon Valley, and born in Canada. Ex lawyer, ex schoolteacher, ex sustainability officer. My mission is to help people learn and feel closer to their communities.

My dog, Wu Wei ("effortless action" in Chinese) is a golden retriever/border collie. People and other dogs love him; he's just about the most charming dog there is.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

i had my first taste of hosting someone on couchsurfing and I loved the easy sense of friendship and casual trust with a stranger. I'm planning on doing a little traveling myself now. I like seeing a city from the eyes and experiences of those living there. Sites and natural wonders are great, but the real experience for me is understanding how other people see the world.

Interests

chess, non-fiction, pickup soccer, Arsenal Football Club, good conversation, teaching, environmental issues, climate change in particular.

• technology
• chess
• traveling
• soccer
• teaching
• history
• law

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Provided relief aid in the West Bank. Really a transformative experience. Other random things: for three years I helped select Nobel Peace Prize winners. I've also prosecuted traders on Wall Street. Lastly, I started Portland Underground Grad School (www.pugspdx.com), a school for lifelong learners to keep learning and growing in their daily lives without having to go to grad school.

Teach, Learn, Share

Financial Freedom
Ethical consumerism
Sustainability
Adult learning theory
Modern world history

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share the perspective of an American who lives in the quirkiest city in America: Portland! Always happy to return the favor if you come to the States. Also, I've had a broad range of careers (entreprenuerial startups, technology lawyer, history teacher, governmental climate change officer) so I'm happy to talk that.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Myanmar, Netherlands, Palestine, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, United States