CURRENT MISSION

I like doing things differently

ABOUT ME

I don't like staying in one place for too long... But everywhere is home to me. I'm pretty friendly and non-threatening. Seriously. Easy going, good listener. I'm very active. I can't sit still for too long.

I have a cargo bike that I ride everywhere. I like to think of it like the Millenium Falcon. It'll make point five past lightspeed. It may not look like much, but it's got it where it counts. I've made a lot of special modifications myself. We could go on bike rides if you happen to travel with your bike, and I'm currently working on salvaging some extras so that I can lend them out. Chico is THE bike town, for real.

Did I mention I had a dog? He loves bike rides too. Also his ball. He's really smart and likes being around people and other dogs. If you bring your dog, expect him/her to get tired out from playing.

Hmm, what else. I'm also a leather worker. There is a corner of my living room dedicated to piles of leather for me to make things with. If I have some free time maybe we can make some pouches or something. I'm also not really a musician but I have a banjo and a charango and maybe you could teach me something? I also have a 16 ft tipi that I would love to set up in the backyard, and may be available as a place to stay, weather permitting.

PHILOSOPHY

I really truly believe and live the Golden Rule. I try as hard as I can to treat others the way I would want to be treated, and that is generously, caring, compassionately, understanding that EVERYONE has a different experience that is totally subjective, everyone has a story and something to share, everyone should speak their truth and everyone should listen. I've studied Buddhist philosophy and practice meditation and occasionally yoga, I believe that these things have formed my life. Have they helped me be "successful" in the traditional sense (ie: financially)? Not at all. But, I am happy with what I have and who I know and who I am, and I don't need fancy "stuff" to be happy. I believe true happiness comes from our experience, not our possessions.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

How I participate? I've couchsurfed with some other amazing people, and have hosted some lovely craftspeople from oregon before. Its really a win-win for every party! This couchsurfing should really make hotels irrelevant...

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've stayed with many people and have been taken care of very well, and now that I have my own space I want to extend the offer to other travellers. I stayed with a couple from Washington when I visited Seattle, and hosted two crafts ladies from Oregon (who I bought several hats from!) who were just lovely company.

Interests

Leather working, primitive skills, my dog, geography, reading, school at the moment, getting up in the buttes, riding my bike, history, archery, livestock, traveling!, experiencing other cultures, farming, edible wild plants, classical music, banjo music, folk music from many different countries

• animals
• dogs
• dining
• indian food
• yoga
• meditation
• partying
• crafts
• boating
• reading
• traveling
• leatherworking
• music
• classical music
• folk music
• cycling
• archery
• geography
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

At the moment, I'm really into A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin. I've read all five books, eagerly awaiting the next in the series. I've read alot of books, can't get into them all right now! Definitely something to talk about if we have time.

I have a hard time listing movies I enjoy. I've watched The Fountain too many times to count if thats any indication. Such a beautiful film. I'm a huge fan of Hayao Miyazaki's films as well, especially Princess Mononoke, but I've seen all of his movies. Anything that has a somewhat epic story with a moral or something to debate/think about at the end I am into. Sometimes I can even watch really silly stuff too.

I love Science Fiction and Fantasy, I really like how many different stories, ideas and concepts can be explored with those two mediums.

I love classical music, sometimes some electronic music, but not generic dance music, I enjoy music that takes you on a journey through some sort of colorful soundscape. If you can introduce me to something that you feel takes you on some kind of journey I'm down to travel there with you. I really like Sigur Ros, and M83 at the moment.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Three weeks offshore in the Caribbean sea, with no way of controlling the boat, totally at mercy to the winds and currents. Portugese Man-O-Wars, Dorado, giant currents of plastic trash, and an ocean so blue you would swear you were staring into space when you look down. At night, the haze from fog on the horizon blurring the edge of the water so that there is a seamless transition from water's edge to the edge of space, and a giant cloud monster eating the moon. Look behind you, the engine stirring up phosphorescent creatures creating two parallel lines of glowing wonder to show where you've been, and where you are going. Is this a dream? Someday I'll be able to describe this experience a little better...

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach archery, leatherworking, some dogtraining, how to make honey mead, how to make sauerkraut, how to make indian food, how to skin animals and tan the hides using natural materials, i can teach how to identify some edible plants and herbs, i can teach listening skills, among other things. I love love love to learn, too.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Mexico, Panama, Turkey

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States