CURRENT MISSION

I want to enjoy life, pursue knowledge, and experience. Protect our common man and woman for thats all we have. Preserve dying arts. Be myself and never conform regardless of benefits.

ABOUT ME

I am a 31 year old white male in america which I suppose has given me very good odds in the lottery of life. I am very fortunate for the life I have and never try to lose sight of that despite what influences internal and external may help me forget. I am a glass artist by trade and passion and am extremely grateful this has provided me a more than fair living for several years. I currently live in portland oregon u.s.a. and as much as I love to travel and experience new places, people, and things, I always come home and realize why I live here. I have many interests in life and despise people that lack passion for all of the countless beautiful things on earth. I could list many things here but please look at the rest of my profile because I clearly explain myself would rather not repeat. I love meeting new people and try to absorb all i can when I do. Sometimes one hour with someone will change the way you look at life and I want to have as many of those experiences as possible.

PHILOSOPHY

"Do what you want, do what you will, but dont mess up your neighbors thrill."- Frank Zappa.
"Reduce thy consumption."- David Goldstein, also the First Commandment of the Church of Spiritual Bankruptcy.
"...Some will rob you with a six gun and some with a fountain pen."- Woody Guthrie.
"The opposite of courage in our society today is not cowardice, it is conformity."- Deep Thinkers.
"...little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Where as it may not be appropriate to begin a personal philosophy bio with a series of quotes, I do feel that you can summarize a great way of being in just a few brilliant words. I certainly try to be as good an influence on my peers, society, and the earth while also enjoying life. This can be a difficult balance. Stay politically active and up to date on current events. Know your past. There is so much good music, literature, food, and art than one will ever be able to experience, so dont waste a moment with anything mediocre because time is too valuable. Dont support Monsanto and vote with your dollar. Leave a positive impression upon those around you. Never stop learning and be open to new ideas. Be observant of your surroundings and very importantly BE AN INDIVIDUAL!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I am not a big part of the cs community but am thrilled to start participating. I look forward to meeting new and interesting people. If you are a good guest than I will be a great host. Ive never been a house guest that takes more than I give and am always grateful when shown gratitude. I will be a good experience on either side of the couch.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

So far so good.

Interests

I love music of many genres, love to cook and eat great food, socializing with interesting and intelligent people, traveling and exploring places ive never been, learning, dancing, reading, plants, and love art of many sorts just to name some interests. I collect records, glass marbles, and am gaining a fair amount of art. I feel that there are more interesting things to find on earth than I will have time to discover so im trying to experience what I can in the brief time I will be alive. I certainly have a lot of passion for life and feel there are countless incredible experiences to be had. We make our own reality and destiny and life is what you decide it to be.

• arts
• literature
• coloring
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music

Music, Movies, and Books

Music is one of my biggest passions in life and moves me in ways nothing else can. My love lies first in jazz from the early 50's to late 70's and roots blues music. I love funk, soul, reggae, hip hop, classical, psych rock, bluegrass, folk and much more. African music especially from Mali, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Senegal. Indian, flamenco, Latin, and Cuban music are also beautiful. Truly I love and appreciate all music with soul.

Artists such as Miles Davis, Tom Waits, James Brown, Funkadelic, Rasaan Roland Kirk, Son House, Howlin Wolf, Nina Simone, Townes Van Zandt, Fela Kuti, Mulatu Astatke, Woody Guthrie, Eric Dolphy, Charles Tolliver, Lightnin Hopkins, Coltrane, Zappa, Dylan, Parliament, Paco de Lucia, Etta James, Cut Chemist, Bob Marley and Johnny Osborne amongst countless others.

Blind bluesmen such as Willie Johnson, Willie McTell, Gary Davis and John Davis.

Groups such as Afrocubism, Pink Floyd, Cymande, The Roots, Digable Planets, Primus, and Bad Brains just to name a few.


"It's like I'll never stop finding sounds I hadn't thought existed - until just now!"- Eric Dolphy.

I like to read science fiction and non fiction and love when imagination is put into words beautifully. When reading non fiction its usually about politics, science, or history. Some of my favorite books are Dune, Of Mice and Men, Stranger in a Strange Land, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

The first 15 minutes of The Gods Must be Crazy summarizes why modern man is inferior to indigenous tribes in so many ways.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I consider myself to have a lot of life experience for my amount of time on the planet. Ive witnessed a man break out of jail, from the inside. Let me stay on your couch.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have great deal to share, lots to teach, and even more to learn.

What I Can Share with Hosts

An encyclopedia of music information from around the world, from Afghanistan to Zambia. Great conversation, appreciation, courtesy, manners, and a partner in adventures. An open minded, tolerant, an usually pleasant individual to be around. I'm a fine cook as well. I carry the fire. I am good man.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States