I don't know how to put myself into a box other than to say that my sense of curiosity and desire for learning shapes and touches everything I do. I firmly believe that most of the world's problems stem from peoples' unconsciousness of their true needs and the fact that most believe they are powerless as an individual to create change. I see the individual changing their consciousness and their personal choices as the only way to create sustainable change in this world and try to empower people with this idea. I don't spend much money as I don't have much to spend but lucky for me, my favourite thing to do is work with people trying to create something better. Not only is this free but it keeps me fit! Some tag words that embody me...community, organic, permaculture, renewable, simple, healthy, quality, honest. I am really happy I found out when I was young, that if I divorce my happiness from the acquisition of material possessions or perceived security in the form of a new house or car or the like, I am free to do what I wish with my time. I choose to help people who are trying to make the world a better place. Organic farms, community groups, education centers, environmental groups, etc. I get my sense of purpose by the amount of perceived good that I can do for the world and it's animals (yes, we are among them). An added benefit to this chosen lifestyle is that I only work with people who are passionate about what they do which is inspiring to be around indeed.
I have done many things since I figured this out and they've all been exciting and fulfilling. Some include working with sustainable living organisations, helping build organic food co-ops, doing home sustainability audits, working on an anti-whaling ship, installing renewable energy systems, building straw bale houses, travelling with the Sustainable Living Roadshow and living in Zhucotti park for 2 months in 2011.

I have spent the summer in Minnesota shaping my family farm into a future csa incubator farm and now am travelling for a few months over the winter finding people to conspire with;-)

PHILOSOPHY

Do what makes you happy. If you want to be a certain way, find others who are already like that and hang out with them! See yourself on a longer timeline than just a couple years ahead and behind. If you don't like the situation you find yourself in, change it! Regret is worse than failure. Think how your actions affect others. Never stop asking why. We are the people we've been waiting for! "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Just how it's meant to work, I stay with cool people when i travel and host when I have a home, it's great both ways!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've slept on a lot of couches and floors around the US, Europe and Oz and loved every one (except the crappy pull out ones with bars that stick you in the back!). I'd rather sleep on a floor and buy some groceries for my host than stay in a 4 star hotel!

Interests

Community and personal resilience, regenerative agriculture, local food, artisanry, mindfulness, transition towns, philosophical deliberation, reading, compost, alternative building, renewable energy,
connecting with people, discussing, learning, growing, dogs
gardening, challenging myself/others.

• animals
• dogs
• design
• education
• dining
• organic food
• gardening
• reading
• traveling
• cycling
• boxing
• agriculture
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: I like anything that is thought provoking and not a yank blow 'em up kind.
Music: I like folk music the best.
Books: history, philosophy, nonfiction. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Ishmael, Walden, The Power of Now...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I just spent the last two years growing food with my amazing wife Stephanie. We were able to grow 3/4 of the calories we consumed from the land and the rest came from local farmer friends nearby.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have worked for a few years building strawbale houses with fermented earthen plasters. I am skilled up in regenerative agriculture, alternative energy, resilient building design, permaculture, composting toilet design, farm hack, metal fabrication, mechanics, bike repair, etc.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Any of my skills, attentive listening, presence.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, United States

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