I am an attorney recently between jobs. I am looking to take some time to travel and spend some time seeing the world and thinking about myself and what the next part of my journey will be. I've found it easy to get comfortably stuck and become a bit complacent about self improvement and seeking adventure, but recently some things in my life have been a stark reminder of how short and unpredictable life is. So, I am taking a change and planning a trip to India in the near future, to step outside of my comfort zone and open up to a new experience. I think when we grow up, it's easy to let go of wonder, and there's so much wonder in the world, everywhere. It just takes a little courage to make a choice to take a chance. :) I'm also an artist and a model for fellow artists, an avid reader, a social justice warrior, a political liberal and an animal lover.

A little more about who I am: When I am sober and awake, I am accent free. When I am frustrated, not sober, or exhausted I have a weird amalgamation of Latvian, British and Russian accents that comes off as pan-European weirdness. I am a nerd in so many ways but I do not know Klingon and have not memorized everything from Battle-star or Star Wars. I do love Mythbusters, Pratchett, Dr. Who, obscure trivia, and travel. I love DC passionately, from the morning sun rising over the Washington Monument and the White House, to the number of languages I heard every day just walking down the street. I found my way to Norfolk, Virginia where I live with my love and my wild cat. I am slowly discovering it's quirks and crooks and crannies that almost make up for it's small size and lack of multiculturalism. :)

I can't stand ignorance, cruelty (to people or animals... although somehow I get more upset when people are cruel to animals), or any kind of prejudice (though I am sure, being human, I am guilty of a few).

Perché sono iscritto su Couchsurfing

When I did travel alone or with companions when I was younger, I discovered to my great surprise that there are many people out there who are willing to help, who are fascinating interlocutors... some of my briefest encounters have been some of the most memorable. I am also a firm believer that the best way to learn about a place is to get to know the people who live there.

Interessi

• animals
• culture
• photography
• beauty
• human rights
• meditation
• law
• art
• social justice
• animal rights
• environmental justice
• policy
• civil liberties
• lgbtq rights

Musica, film e libri

Terry Pratchett is my go to feel-good author; I love old Russian classics, poetry, Bulgakov above all else, Neil Gaiman's short stories, Stephen Fry, Hitchens and Dawkins, and lots of other authors and thinkers from every country and every epoch.

The most recent films I enjoyed include Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Hunger Games as well as X Men First Class. I don't really have "favorite" movies, but I am always up for an old B-action movie marathon accompanied with some wine.

I watch Dr. Who, and am more than a little excited about the new season. I listen to NPR and Wait Wait is my Sunday morning pick-me-up. I love Anthony Bourdain and various cooking competition shows.

Musically, I listen to whatever I am in the mood for; although, I love old classic rock and have a soft spot for Pink Floyd.

Una cosa incredibile che ho fatto

One amazing place I've been - a small town in Whales covered in bookshops. It made me believe in magic again, not wands and spells kind of magic, but the magic that comes from the smell and feel of well worn books. "Books bend space and time. One reason the owners of those aforesaid little rambling, poky second-hand bookshops always seem slightly unearthly is that many of them really are, having strayed into this world after taking a wrong turning in their own bookshops in worlds where it is considered commendable business practice to wear carpet slippers all the time and open your shop only when you feel like it. You stray into L-space at your peril." - Terry Pratchett, it was very much like that.

Cosa posso offrire ai padroni di casa

Norfolk has a ton of cute little places to visit, the ocean and bay are near by, there are parks and natural reserves and a strawberry festival in Virginia Beach worth going to, cute breweries to visit, even a local brewery tour. There are these lovely, cozy and intimate places strewn about in Hampton Roads, despite the urban sprawl and strip malls marring the landscape. I can be a guide to the local scene, art, music, queer and otherwise :)

Paesi che ho visitato

France, Ireland, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom

Paesi in cui ho vissuto

Canada, Latvia, United Kingdom, United States