I am a materials engineer in training, soon to be a professional, pending exam results.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It's time for an adventure. I got a 6 month leave of absence from work to go travelling, so I am heading around the world to learn about other ways of life and make friends around the globe.

Interests

Last Christmas I got a textbook on spacecraft systems engineering. My goal is to read it cover to cover. It has been so long since men stepped on the moon and spaceflight is done with such regularity now that we forget what an immense accomplishment each and every successful launch is. The science and engineering of spaceflight is fascinating and I hope to contribute to is some day.

I missed my calling as a computer scientist or programmer. There's something about designing an elegant system that is so satisfying, especially when it works.

I studied chess pretty seriously for a little over a year, but now I'm woefully out of practice. My chess.com account is master_gibber. If you want to play, make sure to send me a message because I don't check my account with any regularity.

My two best friends are philosophy majors, so I've developed a taste for big questions and the means for answering them. I'm always down for a deep discussion.

• books
• chess
• traveling
• engineering
• science
• software

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Eric Whitacre, Ratatat, Skrillex, alt-J, MGMT, Gustav Holst

Movies: Fifth Element, Pacific Rim, most critically acclaimed movies.

Books: Again, critically acclaimed books. Currently reading Anna Karenina - so good.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I drove a truck on the Arctic Ocean. Actually, I drove much faster than I should have on the Arctic Ocean and drifted around the corners in the ice road. At night.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I plan to bring some real Canadian maple syrup with me.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Cuba, England, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada