CURRENT MISSION

Connecting what you want to do with what this town has to offer. And experiencing new thoughts, people, places, and things.

ABOUT ME

I'm a boringly normal, big, friendly, fuzzy, redheaded St. Louis Lifer with one dog and two cats (for the allergy people). I live in a comfortably large, three-floor house with a pool, in the center of everything The Lou has to offer. Arguably, I have a sense of humor. Also, I'm not overly sensitive, but I do try to be tactful.

I'm also a pretty adventurous person who likes to meet new people, go new places, try new things & etc. For fun I bike, kayak, hike, travel. I also run a couple of online social groups and the largest online volunteer group in St. Louis.
See

St. Louis Volunteer Group (Meetup.com),
The St. Louis Social Coop (Meetup.com), and

PHILOSOPHY

Why do I live my life? Ummm...I'm not brave enough to try the alternative? Love these questions! How about experience as much of life and the world's variety as I can cram into the time I've got left, and make where I am the best place it can be?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Having done a bit o' travelling both as a tourist and as an exchange student, I can say experiencing a new place as much as possible as a local, is a much richer and rewarding type of experience than being an ignorant stranger with only money and a guidebook.

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I offer pleasant, flexible, easygoing company, real beds, real bathrooms with showers, clean sheets, a pool, and easy access to most The Lou has to offer by car or light rail, and friendly advice about how to make the most out of your time in The Lou.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Mostly hosting, but surfed for one trip, too, to experience what my guests experience. Love the concept, and am having fun with it!

Interests

Getting out of the house, meeting new people; trying new things and places. Hiking, kayaking, biking, travelling, investing, volunteering, losing weight while being entertained at the same time....

I've visited 48 states and 29 countries, so far.

• cats
• dogs
• folklore
• cooking
• recipes
• wine
• cheese
• beer
• running
• walking
• traveling
• billiards
• investing
• cycling
• hiking
• kayaking
• camping
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

This stuff is like food - you never know what you're going to like until you try it, so...

Music: I like rock, not too heavy; not too soft. Symphonic, Blues & Dixieland jazz, a little Reggae; a little country.

Movies: Love good Sci-fi, Historical Drama, Fantasy, some Documentary ...I'm beginning to loathe Romantic Comedies - too predictable.

Books: A good story is a good story, regardless of genre. It really all depends on the author's skill.

I never go to a movie based on a book without reading the book, first.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One? Really? I've lived well and long, and seen the world. So how about "I've lived". THE biggest world outlook changer was my first experience living outside the U.S. as an exchange student in Thailand.

Teach, Learn, Share

As a guest, I have found that being in someone else's house is like going camping. Ideally you want to leave no trace you were there, and, as much as possible, you want your host to at least not mind that you came.

As a host, one shouldn't be rigid or picky or judgemental. I do enjoy a decent night's sleep, and a house that doesn't require the help of a contractor to get back in order after a guest leaves. Other than that I don't have requirements. If I'm keeping you up too late, or you've got things you want to get to, you can tell me, no worries.

Both hosts and guests have to be patient and tactful, and not expect everyone to share their values. Walking on eggs around me not required. Common sense and courtesy is good enough.

I'm a Louie Lifer, so I can tell you where to go and how to get there - in a good way. I have a well-equipped kitchen, and cook by recipe. I'm especially good with a smoker and a grill (and it shows). I have a guest icebox on the first floor for multi-day visitors. If you want to make a grocery run, I'm always good for that, too. Women and couples also get the first floor on a first-come-first-serve basis.

What I Can Share with Hosts

If you are in The States, I might be able to bring some unique St. Louis cuisine with me, including
-some of the best artisanal beer in the country.
-pork steaks,
-gooey butter cakes,
-toasted raviolis,
-Provel cheese (designed for making pizzas, but good by itself).
-Missouri wines (we were the first official wine district in the U.S., though I will be quick to acknowledge the older wine tradition of Spanish California). Its quite good, too.
-recipes for making St. Louis style pizza, gooey butter cake, and a couple of different ways to carve and cook your own pork steaks.

Whether I'm ICONUS or OCONUS (in or out of the continental U.S. for you civilians), you have my time, gratitude, knowledge, conversation, and labor (up to a point). You will also have my guest promise that I will do my best to leave my quarters the way I found them, and be the kind of guest I hope to have at my house.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Bahrain, Cambodia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, India, Italy, Kenya, Laos, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Panama, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vatican City State

Countries I’ve Lived In

Thailand, United States

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