CURRENT MISSION

Self-actualization; to become more myself every day

ABOUT ME

I'm currently working on using a box of broken mirrors I collected with some bee-nectar to create a 'Honey I Shrunk the Kids'-style laser beam that will help me fit into tiny 'about me' internet boxes, so obviously, I'm a wicked resourceful problem-solver and autodidact, not to mention entrepreneur. Admittedly though, I have a hard time focusing on one project at a time, as I always have a million ideas for improvement going through my head, and I can't stop starting these little projects, so I never end up finishing anything. (I'm also currently working on a reverse-box beam that should help me break out of walls I have a habit of putting up around myself.) Life is about loving and learning, and I think I'm doing pretty damn well in those departments. Did I mention I'm a really sweet person? I really am.

PHILOSOPHY

We're all existentialists, just making our own meaning. Life is whatever you decide it's going to be; I want mine to be a loving expression of growth and joy. It isn't that complicated for me, just a simple idea: I want the best for myself, the world, and all those living here.
While I consider myself to be an optimist, the way I see it, there is something fundamentally wrong with the premise of our universe, i.e., organisms must absorb the energy of other organisms in order to survive, e.g., bullies pick on weaker kids and animals freakin' eat each other ALIVE! (Personally, not the route I'd choose if I was setting up this whole existence thing.) Consequently, I'm doing the best I can to learn to do no harm, which, in the US, is literally impossible. Foiled again! But, since standing on a rock until I die would be yet another waste of beautiful life, I'm just doing my best to do the least harm, and make the most positive impact I can. How? By making meaningful connections, advocating for justice and morality, and being the most empathetic and understanding person I know.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I want to see as much as possible, meet as many different kinds of people as I can, and hopefully learn more about myself, the world, and others in the process. I've surfed a BUNCH, and have a desperate karmic need to give back. Can't wait for my first surfer!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

It's been amazing. My boyfriend and I criss-crossed the country and surfed with so many wonderfully open, giving, trusting people. It changed my whole perspective on people for the good, and I feel so lucky to have experienced it.
Surfing in Hawaii and Europe on the other hand, was impossible, and we even received a response from a CSer in Italy, who told us that we would not be hosted in Europe because we were American, and worse, from NY! How sad, that even within such a wonderful community as Couch Surfing, we would be denied, based on stereotypes alone! Anyway, it made us that much more committed to give American travelers (especially those from NY) a better name!

Interests

Trying desperately not to let go of childhood, enjoying grass and trees, sunshine and water, playing with language (English and otherwise), making things I need out of things I don't; not eating animals, learning about nutrition and my body, using and feeling every tendon and muscle, running and taking care of my flesh in a way that lets me see and feel the benefits; endlessly debating the nature of existence over decades and gallons of coffee, and finding, connecting with, and loving all of my soul mates.
I'm really interested in the way humans interact with each other. I revel in finding the best way to communicate with any given individual, learning how to reach their center, until that moment comes when an almost musical connection is established, and our souls vibrate in perfect, soothing, harmony.

• animals
• chickens
• fish
• dining
• coffee
• running
• gardening
• socializing
• fishing
• surfing
• scuba diving
• boxing
• entrepreneurship

Music, Movies, and Books

Anything profound, beautiful, unique, and/or funny. Waking Life, The Sot-Weed Factor, Donald Barthelme's version of Snow White, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and anything by David Sedaris come to mind. Animal Collective, Flaming Lips, Iron and Wine, Ween, Ratatat, Benoit Piolard, well... attempting to list these things is impossible, isn't it? Just refer to the first sentence.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

It's been an amazing year! In the last 52 weeks, I've gone sky-diving for the first time, fallen in love with my best friend of over ten years, road-tripped from NY to CA and back, accomplished a life-long goal of being homeless in Hawaii for three weeks, backpacked through part of Europe, and started all over by moving across the country to live in Seattle without ever having even visited the place. Life is certainly good!

Teach, Learn, Share

Empathy, total honesty, communication. Seems like a cliche, but it's a real challenge to enact these in everyday interactions. Trying to incorporate all three at all times can help you be a more authentic version of yourself, and you can avoid so much conflict.
Based on this approach to relationships, I plan to someday start a communal surf/hostel. Something as close to natural and self-sufficient as possible - we would build on a large plot of land, have a lake full of fish and maybe a few chickens, build treehouses for guests to sleep in, grow fruit and a large organic garden, set up a greywater system, and anyone who wanted to stay (for as long as they would like) would have the option of helping and becoming part of the community in lieu of payment.
This is my response to all of the artificiality that has become fact in modern existence. I want to work for my food, to grow it with my own hands and know where it's been and that no harm was caused to any person or animal to get it. I want to live and work directly for the existence of myself and loved-ones. I don't want to spend half of my waking life working for dollars. I don't want to be used by some faceless corporation. I think that part of the reason so many people are depressed is that they are living passively, with no real connection to the day-to-day things that keep them alive. We're so removed from the most important and fulfilling aspects of life. When it comes to food, water, shelter, even in teaching and raising children, we work all day in order to make money to get these things, and we end up feeling detached from meaning and existence. What if we reclaimed this responsibility for ourselves? How much more fulfilling would that be? There's nothing like using every ounce of your strength and intelligence on your own life. If you've ever grown your own food, taught your child to read, or built ANYTHING, you know how sweet that feeling of worthwhile accomplishment truly is.
My ideas for this are far too thorough to discuss here, but I would love to meet more people who feel this way. I have a lot to share in this respect, but also a hell of a lot to learn! My current life goal is to meet people who can join me in this mission and turn it into a reality.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, France, Italy, Mexico, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States