CURRENT MISSION

Sourcing and product development for private labels .. Fashion, innit

ABOUT ME

I sold my couch in the UK 8 years ago and haven't looked back! I c-surfed around Europe and some of North America, and then finally settled in NYC (2 years) where I worked band merchandise and graphics. Due to some very odd circumstance I then moved to Richmond, VA, stayed there also for 2 years, but knew in the back of my head I was always headed West. In 2011 I made that move. I currently have a place in Venice, CA .5 blocks from the beach. 3 bed, 3 bath of which only two rooms, 2 baths are being used (see couch availability)

I work in the textile industry, specifically sourcing and product development for private labels and have over 12 years work experience in textile printing and graphic reproduction. Gary is cat - but that's a whole different story.

PHILOSOPHY

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'd like to offer up a couch and be the guy that introduces others to a. the CS Project and b. some of the the crazy katz i find my self working with.

I surf myself.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

2012: Finally! With bag on back i fly to LA. I have a contact and a couch on Electric Ave in Venice. I'm there for a week, land a job and BAM! I'm hooked. Couch turns in to apartment. Apartment just happens to be owned by Tarzan .. Seriously, Wolf Larson played Tarzan (64 episodes in the early 90's)Richmond, USA (2008) Couch instead of jail .. Thank You officer!New York, USA (2007) Best Couch on the Upper East Side? Lenny Levine's ! Qikiqtarjuaq, Arctic (2006) Traveling up Baffin Island we stopped here. Only hotel available was $400 per night. Other option was to stay with Inuit locals. No brainer, right? We ate Caribou and purchased Whale bone Eskimo sunglasses. Nendaz, Switzerland (2005) Couch above Bakery! Do you know how loud those dough making machines are at 2am!Utrecht, Holland (2006) Couch in converted Brothel, lounge area w/pole.Stockholm, Sweden (2004) more of a coverted prison bed .. seriously! (http://www.langholmen.com/en/)

Interests

Textiles, print, fashion innit I'm a sucker for water, the mountains, happy people, white bears, good food, good talking, travel, travel maybe even some more travel. vodka, bikes, NYC, Bristol, flying, crisps or chips, sharks, Icebergs, GARY ! Lex my old and who's now dead dog !

• cats
• dogs
• fashion
• education
• dining
• flying
• traveling
• teaching
• beaches
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Music
The Stone Roses, Roni Size, Biffy Clyro, Groove Aramada, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, The Clash, Bowie, Chemical Brothers, Turin Breaks, The Cure, The Beastie Boys, Ed Harcourt, Smashing Pumpkins, The Goats, Interpol, Wild Marmalade, Carter, Kings of Leon, LCD Soundsystem, Way Out West, Massive Attack, Propellerheads and many, many more.

Movies
Sin & Wicked City, Akira, True Romance, Shaun Of The Dead, The Goonies, Renaissance, Black Sheep, Bubba Ho-Tep, El Mariachi, Leon, Batman Returns.

Books
currently reading Lamb by Christopher Moore.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Can I have 2 ?

1. Polar Bears in the Arctic (which prompts me to ask .. Where is Arctic in the drop down menu of places I have been or want to go ?)

2. Great White Sharks in South Africa. I have a scar to prove it.. it's only small but still.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've traveled to all but one (ok two) continens. Have been my own boss since 2004 without much of a college education .. sorry mum! I speak a little French and could live off rice and beans easily. I love musicians, painters, poets and pineapples. Talking I do well and if you need something., anything, chances are I can probably help you find it, get it or put you touch with somebody else that can.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belize, Canada, Croatia, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Spain, Switzerland, United States

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