CURRENT MISSION

Just passing through, looking for good experiences and people

ABOUT ME

I will retire in December 2012 and plan to do extensive travelling around the US throughout the year 2013 and beyond. I have too many destinations in mind to list them here. I will be buying my Westfalia camper van soon so I can be independent when necessary. But I've enjoyed the homes I've visited in the past and the people I've met in towns and cities across the US. All ages, persuasions, colors, shapes and sizes...and it's all good.

PHILOSOPHY

Tolerance for differences. Don't sweat the small stuff. The golden rule. Live in the moment. I am always seeking authenticity for myself and in others. The Four Agreements.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm easy-going, friendly, open-minded, responsible, safe and considerate. I can take care of myself and I clean up after myself. I'm a good guest. I like to visit and meet new people and hear your perspective on your hometown. I enjoy cooking for others and will offer that to you as a host if you'd like.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've been surfing for several years, whenever I have the time to travel to new places. So much more fun and interesting than staying in hotels. I love meeting people who can show me the "out of the way" cool places that no one else knows about.

Interests

Music - all kinds, mostly. Architecture, movies, travelling worldwide, exploring new places, rural and urban. My list of projects after retirement includes: learning to play the autoharp; teaching myself to create music using MIDI, and studying music theory in order to write songs; learning to turn wood on a lathe; learning Greek; learning to type the correct way, without looking and using all my fingers. :)

• architecture
• cooking
• movies
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• camping
• surfing
• bungee jumping
• social work

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - Elvis Costello, Diana Krall, Michael Franti, Indigo Girls, The Clash, Laurie Anderson, Santana, Jethro Tull, R.E.M., Doors, Joni Mitchell, Graham Parker, Springsteen, Van Morrison, Kanye West, Bruno Mars, Shakira, Live, Creed, Nickelback... the list goes on and on. Movies - Classics like To Kill a Mockingbird, Ordinary People, American Beauty, When Harry Met Sally, Woodstock, Godfather, Rainman, Midnight Cowboy, Fantasia, The Great Santini, Body Heat, The Wizard of Oz, newer films like The Sessions, The Perks of..., Flight, Pitch Perfect, Skyfall. Books - The Gifts of Imperfection, An Open Heart, The Four Agreements, Growing Up Again - MTM biography about living with diabetes.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Jumped out of an airplane, bungee jumped off a cliff in NZ, rafted on the Colorado, hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and up Mt. Whitney. Oh yeah, and I was struck by lightening as a child. I raised a beautiful child who is now a young woman. Loved a few wonderful women. Been loved back more than I could've hoped for. I've travelled to Morocco, Spain, Italy, Greece, China, France, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, England, Ireland, Australia and NZ, and most of the Hawaiian Islands. Passed the "Jeopardy" test, but never got on the show (yet).

Teach, Learn, Share

My work as a child protective services social worker has taught me a lot about our society, and how we treat families and children in this country. I love talking about my work, for which I have a great passion. I have helped many graduate students in social work get started in their careers.

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