CURRENT MISSION

To listen

ABOUT ME

I'm Daniel. I just graduated from college and will be working as a Dean of Admission at my alma mater for the next year, and living in Northampton, MA. I have no idea what I want to do with my life, but I know it will involve listening and writing and connecting with others. I'm taking a year or four to reflect on my life thus far, and reinvest in myself. I've got a lot to learn and a lot to share, and I would love to meet you.

PHILOSOPHY

I've come to believe that, despite our differences, we each possess a common humanity that unites us more than it separates us. I think that people spend a lot of time disagreeing about things--what foods they like and don't like, what movies they like and don't like--but we don't spend enough time talking about what makes us human, the struggles that we all face and handle in very different ways on a day-to-day basis. There's an underlying beauty in everyone humming behind their face and body and words, and it's just waiting to be heard--waiting for someone to take the time to listen.

Interests

I enjoy friendship. I play a little guitar and a little bass. I love listening to music, and have amassed an extensive vinyl collection. I enjoy writing poetry and journaling. I'm interested in philosophy and the environment. Buddhism fascinates me, and though I don't actively practice, I spend time learning as much as I can. Issues of religion more generally, and religious philosophy, interest me as well. I love reading fiction and poetry and non-fiction.

• writing
• poetry
• beauty
• environment
• movies
• reading
• music
• guitar
• bungee jumping
• buddhist
• religion

Music, Movies, and Books

I like a lot of books, though I haven't read as many as I wish I had!A couple of my favorites: Infinite Jest, 1984, Brave New World, Letters to a Young Poet, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Cat's Cradle, The Phantom Tollbooth, The Golden Compass.Recently I've been listening to a lot of jazz, though I really love all sorts of music.A couple of my recent favorites: Built to Spill, Pavement, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, Elliot Smith.A couple of my oldest favorites: Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, The Beatles, Dispatch.I love lots of movies as well, but I'll list a few favorites:Magnolia, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Kicking and Screaming (Baumbach), The Dark Knight (I really love Batman), Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Boogie Nights.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went bungee jumping recently--that was pretty wonderful.I got the opportunity to live in lots of different rural Thai villages for about a month and a half. That was a remarkable experience that I'd love to talk about.

Teach, Learn, Share

I think I've had a lot of unique experiences that I'd love to share with others. I don't know how many 'skills' I could teach people, but I'd love to play some music with you if you're interested.Please teach me anything! I love experiencing others' passions.