CURRENT MISSION

Meet surfers!

ABOUT ME

I tend to be a little quiet in groups of people I don't know, but open up quickly, especially one-on-one. I love to explore new places, events, books, people, etc and I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve.

PHILOSOPHY

While I don't have a pithy saying to place here, I'm happy to talk about it with anyone interested. Something to do with real connection among human beings, an honest connection with the self, and maybe a little of Robert Bly's "Wild Man" from the depths of nature. (see Iron John for more info)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Hanging out, organizing and going on hikes / trips. Showing people around the city on weekends. Offering my inflatable mattress and half of my room to wayward travelers (see couch section for more).

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've been popping in for various events locally for over a year, and hosted just a handful. I just recently got a chance to couch surf in Japan. Awesome experience!

Interests

Anything that fosters connection, compassion, and understanding. Swing Dance, Japanese (language and culture), Meditation, Fighting Global Warming, Travel, Hiking, Biking, Board Games, open minded people, good conversations, psychology, politics.

• culture
• books
• dancing
• swing dancing
• meditation
• politics
• board games
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• psychology

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: Genki Beginning Japanese :-), Peace is Every Step, Fire in the Belly, Iron John, Understanding the Linux Kernel. :-P I had to throw the last one in for the geeks out there.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Sun rise in the Sierra Nevadas. Being in love. Looking out from the Tokyo tower and seeing sky scrapers stretching out in every direction as far as the eye can see. Seeing the sun set on Mount Fuji. Visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial (A-bomb) museum.

Teach, Learn, Share

Openness.
Ruthless compassion.
Vulnerability without dependence.
Love without attachment.
Peace without detachment.
Criticism without judgment.
Teach, learn, share. All of the above.

In more concrete terms, I can teach English and some basics of Japanese, and am interested in opportunities for more Japanese language practice. I'm also always up for practicing / teaching / learning Swing Dancing. In both areas I'd consider myself an "advanced beginner".

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