CURRENT MISSION -- updated on 5/23/16

To build a life for my family on our 2 acre homestead where we are able to find balance both within ourselves, and in our larger community and world.

ABOUT ME

**Please write FUNKY MONKEY in your request so I know you've read the profile. Thanks!**

I am a non-profit professional manager working with an education-based organization in the city. I probably spend too much time at work (plus the 2-hours of daily commuting I do) but I love my job and I'm blessed to finally have full-time work that is exciting and challenging.

I live with my wife on a newly purchased 2-acre homestead nestled in the suburbs about 1-hour outside of Chicago. We are one of the only farms in the neighborhood, and one of the only queer families as well. We come from large artistic and vibrant communities in the city, and have both traveled internationally. We miss that type of cultural exchange and hope to provide an inviting respite for like-minded folks as they go about their own travels.

PHILOSOPHY

Everything is always in abundance, even when it feels like it isn't. Gratefulness is the key to unlocking that paradox.

Pourquoi je suis sur Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've been inactivate for the past couple of years, so please disregard the response rate. I'm interested in hosting travelers at my home in Indian Creek.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've stayed on couches on many of my European adventures and have hosted people from all over the world. I even had a CSer help out on a film shoot I did in Chicago!

Centres d'intérêt

Writing, education, farming, non-profits, arts organizations, fundraising, restorative justice, community building and engagement, environmental sustainability, intentional communities, ecovillages, creative writing, filmmaking, Queer/Trans activism, radical politics, music sessions, cooking, organic gardening, swimming in the lake!

• cats
• arts
• writing
• film making
• education
• cooking
• running
• gardening
• politics
• homesteading
• music
• swimming
• teaching

Morceaux de musique, films et livres

Movies: 2 days in paris, the awful truth, the philadelphia story, before sunset, eternal sunshine, kicking and screaming ('95), the last days of disco, humpday, the apartment, sunset blvd, two for the road, the pianist, scenes from a marriage, un homme et une femme, the right stuff, white, knocked up, aladdin, star wars -- The last two movies that really awed me were Mistress America and The Big Short.

Music: Enjoy Bluesy Folksy singer-songwriterness. Love Jazz.

Books: Keruac, Christopher Moore, Just Kids by Patti Smith, Drop City by T.C. Boyle.

Une aventure extraordinaire que j'ai vécue

Stayed with a cool cat in Scotland in his hand-build tree house (replete w/ running water, working stove, wifi) next to a farm with it's own earthship.

Enseignez, apprenez, partagez

Non-Profit Management & Outreach
Gardening skills (my wife can teach you and you can help in the garden)
Great community spots in Chicago for down-to-earth hippies
Music jams
Good conversation!

Ce que j'aimerais partager avec mes hôtes

Good conversation, non-profit management advice if seeking, an openness to experience almost anything! Pretty easy-going, go with the flow energy. A place to stay outside Chicago in return.

Pays que j'ai visités

Canada, China, Costa Rica, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

Pays dans lesquels j'ai vécu

United States

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