I'm an optimist and idealist in the guise of a cynic. Studying international politics for years can do that to you. I'm in love with my life and the world I live in. Gaining a broad understanding of the world I live in is a driving force in my life, through studies, travel, observations and conversations.

I like talking with people. People are why I'm doing this. Water and Indian Pale Ales are my drinks of choice. I will talk to people over a glass of either.

Pourquoi je suis sur Couchsurfing

My first CS experience is defining of why I love the idea: One weekend in 2009, I drove into the insanity that is Dallas. Had I stayed at an hotel, it would probably have been a pretty mediocre trip to a city where it is hard for an outsider to get a sense of what's good, what's fun. By couchsurfing there, I got to meet a lot of fabulous people, have absurd discussions while drinking cold sake (which I'd never had), and see thousands of Texans going crazy to polka music. Travelling for me is mainly about two things: Eating new stuff, and meeting new people in new places. Couchsurfing makes the latter part more fun, and so much easier.

Centres d'intérêt

Enduring interests include history, politics, economy, ethics/philosophy, aviation, hiking, cross country skiing, cooking (and eating) and a heterogenous mix of musical genres. Honestly, I can become fascinated with almost anything, if introduced to it by someone with knowledge and a passion for the subject.

• writing
• make up
• perfumes
• polka
• ethics
• cooking
• drinking
• aviation
• politics
• trivia
• board games
• traveling
• music
• blues
• hiking
• skiing
• rock climbing
• soccer
• history
• mountains

Morceaux de musique, films et livres

Books:
Bill Bryson - The Lost Continent
Henry Kissinger - Diplomacy
Wilfred Thesiger - Arabian Sands

Music:
Zbigniew Preisner, 16 Horsepower, Marteria, Rokia Traoré, Fuck Buttons, Yelle, Jack Parow, Bobby Darin, Fela Kuti, Salif Keita, Townes van Zandt, Nils Beck, Kari Bremnes.

Movies:
Syriana, In the Loop, Nixon, Falling Down, Coming to America, The Fifth element, Snatch, Lock Stock & Two smoking barrels, V for Vendetta, Paris je t'aime, Love Actually, Persepolis, Nord, Gran Torino, Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus.

Une aventure extraordinaire que j'ai vécue

I tend to react strongly to experiencing major geographical features. Seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time, at Corona del Mar in California was such an experience. Driving eastwards over a mountain pass in Colorado, only to see the immensity of the Great Plains unfold before me was another. I'm the guy who'll gladly sacrifice rest and sleep on a long flight if it means I'll be able to peek down at the mouth of the Euphrates, icebergs in the Labrador Sea or Indonesian volcanoes. Climbing one of the latter, a 3726 meter volcano in Lombok, was one magnificent experience I won't forget.

Something less grandiose is experiencing clear weather in my home town in Northern Norway. Few places can be as crisp and bright. In the 24/7 sunlight of summer, you can go play football in the middle of the night. In winter, you can gaze at the clear stars, the winding aurora, and the subtle nuances of blues stretching across a cloudless horizon, while the sun stays just below the horizon. In between it all, the mountains are always there around you, either bathed in pink summer light, contrasting a deep blue winter sky, or whipped but not fazed by a snow storm. Sure, most of the time, coastal Norway is windy and kind of mediocre, but the days and nights of absolute clarity and brilliance make up for it.

Enseignez, apprenez, partagez

I'm all over the place. My interests are widespread, and I tend to (think I) know a little about a lot. In essence, this means I'm good at trivia board games. Which can be annoying.

As for special knowledge and skills, a few are worth mentioning:
- International politics and modern political history, particularly with regards to great power politics and the Middle East.
- Cooking. I'm known for making a good stack of pancakes (of the thin, European kind). Easy to make, easy to learn.
- DSLR photograpphy.
- Good writing and editing skills, especially in English.

Ce que j'aimerais partager avec mes hôtes

Oh, broad question. Again, pancakes? Those tend to be a hit!

Pays que j'ai visités

Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States

Pays dans lesquels j'ai vécu

Germany, Norway, United States

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