Love to travel, explore, try new things, learn new things, meet new people, LEARN!

I travel to explore and learn about people, cultures, history, art, feelings, truth... To be in perpetual motion, and always learning. I want to be always growing, improving, and looking to improve the world around me, as well as admire what is. If nothing else, I aspire to appreciate and enjoy the all the beauty in the world: the beauty in each other, in other people; in music, dancing, writing, theater, movies, art, buildings, landscapes, trees, flowers, clouds, mountains, lakes, sunsets, etc.... everything.

Working for myself as a prgrammer. I'm on my own schedule and free to travel.

Also beginning the art of podcasting.

In the past, I have roadtripped all over US. Lived/studied in China, backpacked all over India, lived in Berlin, spent way too long in Thailand...
And visited many other places.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've hosted couch surfers several times before (but was always set up through other roommates). I have also couch surfed before, but set up through friends (outside of the site).

Always wanted to get formally set up here. It's about time.

I have a really nice, cool place in a great location for visiting Chicago. And, living by myself, I can use some company.

Interests

I go rock climbing at a cool gym nearby nearly every day. I just started acroyoga a few months ago and am really enjoying that. I play ultimate frisbee pretty regularly with pickup groups (I know of several every week). Also do softball leagues and soccer leagues around the city.

• music festivals
• dancing
• swing dancing
• yoga
• hiking
• backpacking
• camping
• rock climbing
• climbing
• ultimate frisbee
• acro
• acroyoga
• podcasting
• acro yoga

Music, Movies, and Books

I generally don't believe in favorites - big fan of variety.

Movies. I'm a wannabe movie buff. Love to watch just about anything and then discuss for hours. I have a nice projector (with hanging sheet) and quality surround sound for a pretty cool hipster-ish theater.

Music. Being in Chicago, I have to love the Blues. Certainly do. Also the local hip hop. I grew up on punk rock. But rock'n'roll from the 50s,60s was always really my first love. Lately I've been into French or New Wave House. And electro-swing is pretty much the best dance music there is.

Books.
Kerouac for the win. "On the Road" is the goddamn bible of travelers. And it never ceases to bring a tear of joy to my eye.
Otherwise, I really enjoy anything about great people doing great things.

What I Can Share with Hosts

First and foremost, got a couple cold ones ready for ya.

Unlimited free parking.
Great location. 5 minute walk to el and Union Park (site of many music festivals), and just 2 miles from downtown (3 miles from Millennium Park).
Great views (plenty of windows all the way around and balcony).
Movies/Netflix on large HD projector with nice surround sound. Record collection and turntable.
Couches to sleep on (naturally), and a blow up air mattress. Use of everything in the house. Washing machine and dryer. Shower supplies as is (usually bar soap, shampoo, and conditioner).

Possibly: Guest pass to very close gym, guest pass to very cool climbing gym. (both dependent upon availability)

[Working on getting bikes to loan].

Warnings:
You'll need me to enter and leave (but my schedule is usually flexible). Shower water pressure is weak. An adorable cat lives here. Couches are not the best (sometimes easier to put cushions on the floor). The place is one large open space - my room is only divided off by shelves and curtain. Also, only one bathroom.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Thailand, Ukraine

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, Germany, Thailand, United States