CURRENT MISSION

To find balance within myself and the world around me.

To pursue the things that I love in a sustainable way (music, food, crafts, environment, friendship

To make the most of my time.

To continually learn from myself and the people around me.

ABOUT ME

I am a relatively easy going person who loves getting involved in things, organising events or adventures (usually in a slightly hap-hazardous way). I come from a theatre family in Edinburgh and have spent most of my professional time on this earth learning different parts of the theatre and music world. From varying forms of puppetry and music with bands, folk sessions and theatre music. I have done lighting programming, booking and management, construction work, willow weaving and I can drive a tractor.
I have produced two music albums here in Montreal and my heart is really in community folk sessions where everyone from all abilities gets involved in singing songs and connect to each other through music.

PHILOSOPHY

I never thought signing up to couch surfers would be this deep... My feeling is that there's no better feeling than that of being useful. To feel satisfied with yourself and to know yourself and to not be afraid to get involved with new things. There's a certain current that one can ride that helps you move on to greater and greater things. It's important that when you hit a blockade that freezes this momentum that you don't just shut down but work round it and through it. There's a million ways to do things and they all take you somewhere. I guess I don't have a set philosophy and am constantly in the process of figuring it out when a new idea comes along.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Being in the arts I have slept on many a couch or sprawled across floors with a 7 piece band. I love meeting new people and will always try to be helpful.

In the last 4 years I have met some incredible people on couchsurfers. As well as staying in peoples homes couchsurfers led me to discover folk sessions where I have met some now very dear friends.

Interests

Cycling, music, theatre, canoeing, swimming, games, people, outdoors, films, the occasional argument with a friend, good coffee, fire, camping, sharing ideas and creating and inspiring. Being a part of a community and helping out

• arts
• singing
• dancing
• coffee
• gardening
• movies
• music
• guitar
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• canoeing
• camping
• swimming
• history
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

history, fiction, ponderous studies of man (and woman) kind. So I guess monty python then... I like all sorts. Lots of comedy. Old films. Sci fi. Not too hot on mega explosions and busy screens. Obviously as a puppet man I can never forgive George lucas for not only ruining the star wars films but for making it practically impossible to even veiw the original ones without his extra features... What happened to the Willow days! Music wise I love playing so most of the stuff I hear is from jamming with folk. Martyn Bennet and Shooglenifty are obviously in there as favotirita bandios and ye, lots more

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Anchor Watt was pretty amazing for places I've been to. Playing in a 7 peice string band and all the sessions we used to have in our downtime. Performing and meeting Ravi Shanker. Isle of Eigg 10th anniversary.

Teach, Learn, Share

I guess I could teach puppetry, guitar or mandolin. Stories..Could teach a bit of Scots Gaidhlig. Puppet making workshops...
Learning wise languages are always interesting. Songs, stories of different cultures. History. I'd really love to gain experience in the garden. Dancing... Carpentry and instrument making...

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, India, United Kingdom