I’m Jim! I have worked as a materials engineer for several years, in three different organizations. I have two brothers and am close with my family even though we’re all pretty different. I’ve been learning to practice Vipassana meditation for the last few months. I enjoy learning new things - especially different points of view and outlooks on the world. I don’t use intoxicants myself anymore, but don’t mind people around me enjoying them. I love a good joke. I try to make them and I think at least a quarter of them make sense once I’ve said them.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am currently traveling in Italy and Austria and looking for interesting people along the way.

Interests

• meditation
• board games
• reading
• traveling
• psychology
• sightseeing
• science fiction
• talking
• science and technology

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Cake, Muse, The White Stripes, Balmorhea, Dave Matthews Band, The Knack, They Might Be Giants, Moon Hooch, Apocalyptica, Break of Reality
Movies: Most of the movies directed by the Coen Brothers, Guy Richie, or written by Charlie Kaufman. I like the silly humor of Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler, bizarre movies, foreign movies (like those directed by Park Chan-wook), sci-fi movies (I love Arrival), and adventure movies. My favorites are the ones that really make me think, like Christopher Nolan or Tim Burton movies.
Books: I just finished reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (awesome), I like sci-fi (Philip K Dick, Ursula K LeGuin, and most of Asimov’s short stories shaped me as a kid) and weird books (like Rant by Chuck Palahniuk, and Dictionary of the Khazars by Milorad Pavić).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I’ve sold most of my stuff and put my house up for rent. I’m trying to live minimally - but I still have a ways to go.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I’m good with computers. I’m a nerd and spend too much time reading Wikipedia, so I have some weird knowledge rattling in my head. I love explaining science concepts and models. I will probably have at least one tabletop game with me. I love to plan out projects and organize things.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Italy, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States