CURRENT MISSION

My current mission objective is to stop getting in my own way--damn you, arch enemy! And to see the many parts of the world that I haven't, especially the Middle East, West Africa, East and South Asia, Brazil.

ABOUT ME

I'm a low-key people person. My life is a little absurd--lots of education, little money--but it usually works out well for my friends: I try to give good conversation, and I love to create connections (I've introduced at least four friends to their future spouses).

PHILOSOPHY

The more, the merrier. (But there are always exceptions--we're not really set up to host more than two people at a time. Note this, please.)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE
I've hosted a decent number of people by now, although I've never surfed a stranger's couch. I hate to sound like everybody else, but the cultural exchange is still the big draw for me. If you're just looking for a free place to stay (again, how many times have you heard this? but for good reason!), look elsewhere. I love to save a buck myself, of course—but it's really obvious when you have no interest in your host as a human being. Don't waste my time and good will.

Interests

Off the top of my head: urban studies, architecture, analytic philosophy, beer, scotch, political theory, and German culture. And dogs! I love dogs, although I don't have one at the moment (looking to get a girl pup someday).

I spend a lot of time being physically active: for years, I played basketball four days a week. Ten years ago, I rediscovered my love for soccer; at one point a few years ago, I was playing six days a week. I only spend three days a week on my newest love, kung fu, but that's because you need time to recover from all the bruises! I've been doing kung fu for several years now, and it's hard to beat the spiritual and personal-development dimensions that my school emphasizes, which is one reason why I only flirt with things like yoga. When I'm not playing sports or doing martial arts, I try to find time to play guitar or spin records--music and the beach are two of my biggest loves, and I never get enough time for either. Did I mention I need to travel more?

• dogs
• arts
• culture
• writing
• architecture
• education
• dining
• cooking
• beer
• yoga
• instructor
• traveling
• drawing
• music
• guitar
• sports
• basketball
• martial arts
• soccer
• teaching
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Just saw Cremaster 1 & 2; still processing. In the last few years, I haven't seen anything I loved more than No Country for Old Men. In general, I'm more likely to rent something like The Sopranos, The Wire, or Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Music: Yes. Love it. Currently going through a big Joni Mitchell phase, although I'd say my tastes are pretty broad. Here's a brief sampling from my DJ setlist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym-AVxt3k40.

Books: I generally read a lot of philosophy and social theory, which unfortunately doesn't leave much time for fiction. I'm slowly trying to make my way through everything Thomas Pynchon's ever written.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

As a child, I never thought about earning a Ph.D., so I'd count that as a pretty amazing thing. There's one other thing, but I'm not gonna mention it on a public profile...

Teach, Learn, Share

I've taught writing in the past, so that's something I enjoy doing, and writing's an important skill (one that I've by no means mastered, of course). I'm an assistant instructor in my martial arts school, so there's that, too. As far as skills I'd like to learn, I'd be grateful to anyone who could help me with my bossanova guitar skills.

As far as sharing, I love to cook for other people. If I'm your guest, that's definitely one way I can show my appreciation. If I'm your host, I'll try to find some time to cook and serve up some of my experiments.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Food, beer, songs, and stories.

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