CURRENT MISSION

To have the best Handlebar Mustache possible

ABOUT ME

"I cannot rest from travel; I will drink life to the lees. All times I have enjoyed greatly, have suffered greatly, both with those that loved me, and alone; on shore, and when through scudding drifts the rainy Hyades vexed the dim sea. I am become a name; For always roaming with a hungry heart much have i seen and known -- cities of men and manners, climates, councils, governments, myslf not least, but honored of them all -- and drunk delight of battle with my peers. I am a part of all that i have met; yet all experience is an arch wherethrough gleams that untraveled world whose margin fades forever and foever when i move. How dull it is to pause, to make an end, to rust unburnished, not to shine in use! As though to breathe were life! Life piled on life were all too little, and of one to me Little remains; but every hour is saved from that eternal silence, something more, A bringer of new things; and vile it were for some three suns to store and hoard myself, and this gray spirit yearning in desire to follow knowledge like a sinking star, Beyond the utmost bound of human thought."
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

PHILOSOPHY

life is precious. it's also short. cherish it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We've been in plenty of situations where a roof would've been nice and never want to leave anyone else put out; whenever we are available, we offer whatever we can to make travelers or people in need as comfortable as possible.

There's only one problem, we're often on the road.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

We've had the pleasure of hosting and being hosted . Every time, it's been an awesome experience leading to great friendships and amazing memories!

Interests

walking is my favorite activity. dancing is my second. I love: traveling. time. time traveling. people. life. professional wrestling. cooking. eating. road treasure. catching snakes. beer. good beer. czech beer. water. whiskey. jumping from high places.

• arts
• singing
• performing arts
• dancing
• cooking
• beer
• cocktails
• walking
• drinking
• traveling
• painting
• music
• live music
• guitar
• opera
• camping
• wrestling
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

I love all three.

Johnny Cash and Jimi Hendrix will always be my musical foundation. My latest obsessions include Gogol Bordello, The Kinks, Charles Bradley, A Hawk and a Hacksaw.

The Princess Bride is my all time favorite movie followed closely by the live action Popeye movie made in the 80s.

Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday may be the greatest things I've ever read. I'm legitimately addicted to A Song of Ice and Fire. Victor Hugo was my first love. Everyone should read Kitchen Confidential. And Have a Nice Day by Mick Foley.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Allow me to attempt to paint a picture: I decided to go to ryan's after work. We then decided to get some 짬 퐁. Afterwards, Ryan asks if we should camp out in front of the liquor store on the beach and have a couple cocktails or go to the live music place across the street that he's always been curious about. I thought, well, we've done the beach thing plenty of times, let's try something new. So we walk across the street and up the stairs to the mysterious live music joint. Now, when you tell me live music, I have visions of open mic kind of shit- you know, teenagers practicing Smoke on the Water or confessing their undying love through their recently written first ballad (not that either of these are a bad thing)- and I was excited. What greeted us on the other side of the door was more than a surprise. Basically, we walked in and heard what I thought was a recording of beautiful Korean traditional music. Two steps later, we saw the source of these enchanting harmonies: a circle of older Koreans, some wielding guitars, others armed with their voices, all prepared to defend their art with the charm that radiated from their smiles; seriously, the room glowed and a rush of warmth enveloped my body. It was magical. Instantly, I knew we had stumbled upon a gem.

We sat down at the bar and ordered a couple beers and enjoyed the music for a moment.

It didn't take the Koreans long to welcome their new guests.

After the finished the song the were playing when we walked in, the man who turned out to the be the ring-leader, Jang Hee (or something like that, help me out Ryan), welcomed us and asked us where we were from. California. "Ah, California! Hotel California!" was his response and busted out the Eagles on his guitar and insisted we sing. We didn't know the words but we hummed along as well as we could. I never thought I would enjoy that song. They acted impressed then played "Yesterday," a song we all knew and sang together. This was the first time we ALL participated. I cannot properly put in words how it feels to share this kind of experience with such genuine and talented people and I'm not going to try. The best I can do is say that it was magical.

Half a beer and two songs in, we decided we were too far away from the action and joined the circle. Again, they welcomed us warmly. The first bit of conversation revolved around Ryan and Jang Hee being similar in size and stature. "Same, Same!!" He sang with enthusiasm. Shortly after, I was compared to Jesus Christ. "Same, Same!!" The whole table agreed.

Before I continue, I feel I must give you guys an idea of what our new friend looked like. Judging from his seated position, he was average in height. On his upper body, he wore a black dress shirt painted with shinier black pen-stripes, untucked. His tie was a shade of silver, or perhaps a sheik hue of gray. It was tied still but dangled loosely around his neck. The top button of his shirt was undone. His pants were similar to his shirt but the pin-stripes were a bit tighter. His shoes went well with his outfit and never stopped keeping the beat (I especially loved how he kept time, there was no rhyme or reason to it, it was not choppy or precise. Rather, both feet just flowed, occasionally tapping or brushing the ground, like the melody that whisped [I intentionally spelled this word wrong] throughout the room). Above his lip, he boasted the beginnings of a mustache. Atop his head, curly black locks fell to about mid-ear level. I think he was wearing glasses. Maybe not.

We continued with some very enjoyable ice-breaking banter and several cheers and gam baes. It turns out our new friends are members of the Busan Choir and our main man, Jang hee, owns the place. During the conversation, he points to a picture on the wall of a woman. The picture is titled "Emerelda." He then points from the picture to the woman sitting to his right. Esmeralda.

Now, I want to describe what Esmeralda looks like for you but my words simply won't do her justice. But know that she is probably in her 50s and may be the foxiest woman I have ever seen. Just sayin'.

After we learn that we have been graced with Esmeralda’s presence, Jang Hee says something in Korean that I take means, "show these fuckers what you have." He then changes pace completely and starts strumming the most winsome Italian melody. Every note was emphasized but still managed to mesh into the next. His eyes were closed and his face was lost in the music. I think for those few moments he felt like he and his guitar were the only two souls in existence. It put a smile on my face. As he came down from his high and reentered the room, Esmeralda stood up. This is when I fell in love with her. I don't know how, but the most haunting and pronounced Italia Opera came out of this little Korean woman. Now I was lost, somewhere in space or beyond as I watched and absorbed every moment of her performance in this tiny Korean cafe. It was magical.

That was how the night continued. They would sing Korean songs, we would all sing English songs (the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Elvis aka the King aka the One and Only), we would attempt conversation, we would declare our love, we would hug, we would cheers and clank glasses, we would share drink, lots and lots of drink, we would laugh. Jang Hee adopted us as younger brothers (nam dong sangs) and allowed us to consider him our older brother (hyeong). After several hours, the night ended in a slow dance with Esmeralda. I know I've used this phrase a lot but I certainly have not abused it: it was magical.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Latvia, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vatican City State, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina, Australia, England, France, Greece, New Zealand, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States, Wales