Gastropod is a scientific word which is a combination of "stomach" and "foot". It describes mollusks such as snails and slugs. It also describes me when I travel.

Live in Austin. I'm not super hipster. Maybe hipster adjacent. As an Austinite, I adore seeing the music of the places I explore, especially when it's live. Although, I don't create music myself, I think it's equally important for there to be people to appreciate and support musicians.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Solo travel is fun, but it's also fun to have options to socialize outside your normal circles. And it's also important to break the cycle of communication through pointing and handing over money.

I like hiking (cliché, yes), cycling, and all kinds of food and beverage. One of the most fun excuses I've found for visiting a new is to attend a music festival. Excellent way to burn time and balance the familiar with the unfamiliar.

I'm also seeking ways to build more durable connections through travel. Facebook is pretty bog-standard (and quite useful, tbh), but understandably not everybody is into that. It's very rewarding to me to make a short connection with a person around the world, and then to meet that person a second (or third, etc.) time months later, and revisit that connection.

Interests

music, (playing) sports, science, tv, and films.

• movies
• tv
• music
• sports
• mathematics
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Among my favorites: Inglourious Basterds, The Expanse, Vikings...I think there's a pattern here, where I'm fascinated when people of different cultures/backgrounds/languages are portrayed deliberately and uniquely; having an opportunity to see the world in their terms, and to see how this can drive people into conflict.

Bullshit Jobs (non-fiction) absolutely knocked my socks off and got me thinking about how to be more purposeful when there are so many professional pressures on us to punch-in and punch-out, without accomplishing your own goals.

Teach, Learn, Share

Always want to learn new ways to cook

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, United States