CURRENT MISSION

write!

ABOUT ME

I am a little shy and soft-spoken at first; once I open up, I'm quite goofy. But, if I'm diligent, couchsurfing should be good for helping me open up. I'm passionate about most of the things I do; therefore, I don't do that much: history (Russian/Soviet, the Caucasus, Central Asia); music (drums, guitar, collecting vinyl, punk, jazz, etc.); traveling (usually UK and Russia, but I very much enjoy visiting other countries too)... Other things that I like to do but am less good at include: cooking, playing basketball, and speaking an obscure northwest Caucasian language called Kabardian.
My Russian language is good though, so that really belongs in the first list.
Then, there are the guilty pleasures like British murder mysteries and Soviet films.
Oh, and I like to go to shows. So if there is a band you want to see and need to someone to go with, or don't want to go alone, let me know - i'm usually up for checking out a new band.

PHILOSOPHY

Don't really have a personal philosophy because I'm sure that I don't have this world figured out yet and I don't think anyone does. Hmmm... There's a good Chumbawamba lyric - "have your fun while you're alive, you won't get nothing when you die." Wish I could say that I live my life in that spirit, but, alas, I need to have a little more fun...just a little.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

As of now, I attend and participate in Couchsurfing events around Columbus from time to time. So far I've met some very very nice people. Looking forward to meeting more.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

hardly any

Interests

Travel (of course) - in particular to the former Soviet Union, and especially the Caucasus.
Music - all kinds, but especially UK punk and post-punk. I also enjoy collecting vinyl, going to concerts, and playing music (a ton of drums and a little guitar)
Basketball - especially, the New York Knicks.
History - modern history of all kinds, but especially Russian/Soviet history and Islamic history.
Collecting books.

I have most of this in the "about me" section. Let me say something else then -- I like good conversation and the smell in the air after it rains. I wish I lived in the mountains.

• books
• concerts
• cooking
• movies
• traveling
• music
• jazz
• guitar
• drums
• muslim
• basketball
• history
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I've really always enjoyed George Orwell's novels -- one of the best observers of politics and society in the first half of the 20th century. The ultimate contrarian (along with Christopher Hitchens). He could not be pegged in ideologically. I could list a bunch of historians, but I won't. And there are too many bands to mention. But, my all-time, absolute favorite is The Clash.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Visiting the North Caucasus. Too many amazing moments to pick just a few. Well, there's one great story but I don't want to share it publicly. Ask me and I'll tell you.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, United States

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