CURRENT MISSION

To help. To be of use.

ABOUT ME

English mother, Dutch father, with both genes.
At college, with a little bit of luck I became a film extra, and took my engineering studies with me as I went to the many studios around London. After getting into costume, and going through makeup, we would wait for hours in the dressing rooms. I might be designing a bridge face hidden by huge Victorian whiskers for Around The World in 80 Days. After graduation I was making too much money in movies to go to work as an engineer. In November, when the sun disappeared in England I joined a firm of engineering consultants in London. It was utterly boring, the following May I ran away to Canada. Where I threw away my education and started again.

PHILOSOPHY

Try to do better next time. I have not been perfect, but am trying to improve all the time.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Have donated skills in needy places. Usually got more out than I put in.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Limited, but Excellent ! ! ! Such a great way to meet new people and explore new places.

Interests

People more than places.
A myriad of other interests, including learning, writing, hitting small balls, sailing, dancing. In London I was a regular at the ballet, but in South Texas the nearest performances are over 500 miles away. Theater and concerts help. I am a regular at the gym, prefer chasing little blue balls to fighting machines.

• writing
• theater
• concerts
• dancing
• ballet dancing
• education
• movies
• sailing
• teaching
• engineering
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Old violin music, by Brahms and that crowd. Action movies to romantic comedies. Have written three books and eight screenplays. None sold, non fiction did, but not so much fun to write.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Bag of human heads hanging in longhouse in Sarawak, in North Borneo. Headhunting has been outlawed, but it is in the genes, and it pays to look over your shoulder if your guide has a sharp machete.

Teach, Learn, Share

Many skills, some rusty, some still worth teaching.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, France, Greenland, Iceland, India, Italy, Kenya, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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