CURRENT MISSION

Always take the path of least resistance and greater good. Value the good over the resistance, but know they're both of equal necessity.

ABOUT ME

I once lived a life that was limited to my couch. I would rot in front of a television for days, no thoughts crossing my mind as drool dribbled down my slack jawed chin. It wasn't so long ago I found that living life that way just wasn't working out for me. So I got up, turned off my television, and cracked open a book. Best decision of my life.

Since then I've slept under bridges and lived in (well not mansions but they may have well been to me.) I've been exposed to ideas and cultures that I'd never even considered before... but I still haven't left Indiana (Midwest USA) for any major period of time. Now I feel it's time for me to really get out and go. Get a passport and give it a good workout.

Feel free to say hello. If I'm active I'll try to say hello back. Recently I've become very fond of the ancient blessing "As Salaam Alaykum" or "Peace be with you." I'd like to wish you the same, or like Bob Marley said: One love.

PHILOSOPHY

Be where you are at all times; Show compassion to everything, no matter how large or show small; never say never; and if you're going to do something, do it no matter what. Can't let failure get you down, no?

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Hi, I'm new. How does this button work?

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

In the Winter of 2006 I left my home in Jackson, TN with nothing but the bag on my back and my thumb in the air. It was an interesting time to be hitchhiking, and maybe a little dumb. :p

I met lots of really interesting people in my travels, including a train hopper who was rethinking his life, a minister/truck driver who owned his own shipping company, and a gay man who challenged every belief I held about homosexuals at the time. That experience heavily shaped my thinking, and I believe made me a better man.

Interests

I love to ponder. I like to sit and think about why the world is what it is. Because of this I immerse myself in philosophy, religious study, and science. I'm really glad I enjoy this, or it would be a very dreary life. lol

I love to dance. This is a very new discovery for me, as I've only recently began practicing hiphop dance. I like to pop, and admire the styles of Mr. Wiggles (Electric Boogaloo) and U-Min.

I really love challenging conversations. The type that really make me think. I seldom enjoy anything more than having someone best me in an intellectual pursuit... so long as they're graceful in victory. ;p

I love animation. Something about the artform just speaks to my soul. If I do anything for the rest of my life, I'd prefer it to be just that. Nothing would give me greater joy than being a storyteller with the ability to share both knowledge and experience.

• books
• dancing
• working out
• animation
• science
• hitchhiking

Music, Movies, and Books

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Zombie Survival Guide, World War Z, Looots of holy books (Bible, Quran, Bahagvad Veda, etc.)

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I started the summer living under a bridge near my school. Since I had nothing to lose I decided to take a bus. I went south south to focus on getting back in touch with my family. For a week I stayed in Tennessee. For the first time I got to sit down and speak to my grandfather, a man who I've always admired but never really known. We spoke like men, and he told me the story of his life. It blew me away knowing what he'd been through.

My next destination was Louisville, Kentucky. I was met at the bus station by my cousin Joelle (the girl in the picture above.) I hadn't seen this girl since I was seven years old, and I've always been estranged from my fathers family. This all changed during that one week. It was an amazing experience.

As I write this my grandfather is enduring surgery and my cousin is a heavily stressed med student. However if I could tell them anything at all, it would be that whatever I do, where-ever I go, I'll never forget the summer of 2010.

Countries I’ve Visited

United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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