**Hihi! I've recently settled into a nice two bedroom apartment (photos soon) in a queer cooperative in Ottawa's Centretown. If you are thinking of asking to stay with me, you must be okay with everything listed on Abiwin's Essential Information page: https://abiwincooperativeinc.wildapricot.org/Application-Form-&-Essential-Information

Also, I have a verrrry friendly dog(!) so you have to be comfortable with having him around! My life is also somewhat dictated by his need for walks and socializing, so I will be getting up by 7am most days to take him out for his first excursion of the day.

Beyond that, I currently have an unpredictable schedule, so my availability may change abruptly. If you're looking for a last minute couch, I might be your host! If you're trying to plan several months in advance, I can't promise I'll be very reliable.**

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I don't know what to write in these things.

Once upon a time, I was an idealistic young hippie. I had dreadlocks and was vegan and refused to own a car. Then life happened and things got complicated. I've cut off my dreadlocks, I've owned a car, I've worked for some big organisations and I've started irregularly eating meat again.

I am not, nor have I ever been, an original gangster. I drink a lot of loose tea. When necessary, I can be the person who carries a conversation for hours, but I prefer to be the person who sits and listens attentively, asking questions and occasionally throwing out a witty comment.

I'm a nerd! I don't say that because it's cool to be a nerd, I say that because I spent my formative summers playing Final Fantasy 7 and avoiding social interaction. What that means for me as an adult is that I have a much more enjoyable time talking about things like usability, politics, history, governance, feminism, oil sands development and communication theory than I do, say, the most recent trends in fashion, makeup, and home decor.

I studied Computer Science for a while in university and I have generally earned a living by working with computers (or the occasional DVD player that people assumed I could fix). Right now, I'm a researcher focused on computing and natural resource scarcity. I love math, economics, physics, languages, sociology, anthropology, people, cycling, recycling, random acts of kindness, hiking, the weather, climbing things, crazy theories, not-so-crazy theories, rugby, basketball, talking for hours, drinking tea, reading comic books, model rockets, breaking things, fixing things, laughing and so many things. So very many things.

A complete stranger once told me that I have too many interests. We'd barely spoken. He also asked me to design a hat for him so that he could respond to the satellite signals he was receiving in his brain; he was much stranger after that. I will never, ever write everything about myself. Anywhere. It would be impossible to even try.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm on Couchsurfing because it's part of who I am. I've met some of my favourite people through Couchsurfing (shared values FTW!). I've heard some of the craziest stories through Couchsurfing. I've had some of the greatest/most random experiences through Couchsurfing (the phrase "yea, I'd love to tag along!" sure goes a long way!). I've learned and shared and grown so much, thanks to Couchsurfing. That's why I'm on here.

Interests

I am interested in basically everything. At least for some length of time.

• books
• design
• politics
• comics
• reading
• live music
• cycling
• hiking
• basketball
• rock climbing
• rugby
• anthropology
• computer science
• economics
• history
• languages
• mathematics
• physics
• science
• sociology
• laughter
• random acts of kindness
• singing off-key and loudly
• nerdery

Music, Movies, and Books

I've lost my ability to track these things...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Not to be arrogant, but I come up with a new one every five seconds. How do I pick just one thing? I mean, there's everything from getting my photo taken with a Star Wars troupe to watching Chavez, Ahmadinejad, Morales and Correa drive by. The riots in Quito. The bicycle graveyard in Japan. Rome after 1am. Talking with my grandparents. The list goes on. How do I pick just one thing?

Teach, Learn, Share

My favourite thing about couchsurfing is the unexpected and informal teaching, learning and sharing that happens with every new person(s) I meet. I'm not going to try to guess what I can teach you or learn from you or share with you, but I am SURE that we'll be able to figure something out once you're here. :)

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**I DON'T USE COUCHSURFING FOR DATING OR HOOKUP PURPOSES.**
Do not stay with or host me if you think it will get you into my pants. It won't.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

Bolivia, Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, United Kingdom, United States

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