Hi all, I'm a recent PhD from Germany (though American, originally from LA area California), just finished my degree in ancient philosophy at the LMU Munich. I've been in Europe for the last 6 years, before Germany in Edinburgh/Scotland 2012-14 for my MA. Now I still reside in Munich between the PhD and a job, passing the time with working on revising and publishing things, some IT work, and now hopefully more travel.

In between, beyond my various jobs and projects, I'm into running and hiking, so some outdoor stuff. I love good coffee, so I admit a fancy for hipster coffee (but within reason 😉). Big fan of beers, especially craft beer (rare thing in Bavaria/Germany). And of course, since I've focused on philosophy for my education, into anything and everything philosophical, while I'm also into all things theology-related, both ancient pagan/Greek-related and contemporary Catholic/Orthodox theology (and philosophical theology). But of course since there's more to life, I'm also into literature (e.g. back to David Foster Wallace of late—finishing Infinite Jest 7 years later...) and film (e.g. David Lynch lately; but I'm also trying to diversify my viewings lately).

Warum ich bei Couchsurfing bin

I've been around the Couchsurfing scene for a while, since 2008'ish—used to couchsurf while roadtripping all across the States during my college years, and have since done it while visiting various parts of Europe. Still hope to do more of that now that I'm done with my education. It's always great if you have someone you know in a new city or place who can show you around and see what's enjoyable in that place.

Currently I only have a room in Munich, so I'm unfortunately limited in hosting people. But I would be glad to have a coffee and give suggestions about what to check out in Munich. I hope to return the favor fully one day when I have a place of my own and can host people again.

Interessen

• arts
• humanities
• books
• wine
• beer
• coffee
• traveling
• hiking
• backpacking

Musik, Filme und Bücher

It's hard to say something not related to what you worked on for 6 years in grad school, but... still have to say Plato's works all the way, beginning and end. I focused on commentators and philosophers, commonly called Neoplatonists from the 3rd-6th cent. AD, who tried to develop a systematic understanding and doctrine of Plato throughout all the latter's dialogues. That whole period is probably the most fascinating and impressive for all history of philosophy in having developed a series of systematic doctrines and reconstructions on Plato over a 600/700-year period. (Latin scholasticism comes in a close second—if anything superceding the Neoplatonists for the wider diversity of sources they drew from—Arabic as well as late antique Greek commentators, classical Greeks (like obviously Aristotle and Plato), Byzantine Greek theology/philosophy, earlier medieval Latin theology/philosophy, etc.) Well what can I say, I did a PhD on that stuff—I could talk a bit about this, if it doesn't bore you or get you lost in lots of detail.

In my spare time (rare these days, but does sometimes happen), I've been getting a lot out of David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest. Until reading DFW, I'd say Dostoevsky was my favorite author—still is, would now say DFW is the modern day resurrection of Dostoevsky, and then some.

On that note, Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamazov is still the single best book I have read to date, encompasses the whole human experience in a book.

Music-wise tastes vary—haven't been well defined recently. Always interested in new, recent trends in the indie/new music scene, e.g. the recent English folk prog rock-resurrection genre found in Offa Rex—the combined talents of the Decemberists (another favorite) and Olivia Chaney. Mix with that, of course, Radiohead... A Hawk and a Hacksaw, Beirut... Of course Sufjan Stevens and his various involvements... Etc. etc.

Old favorites also include Bob Dylan, The Kinks, The Beatles, The Who, Johnny Cash, Rachmaninov, Bach, Brahms, Ella Fitzgerald...

Movies... Already mentioned directors above. Old list from 2010 or so—this is kind of random, but the last best ones I saw were "Russian Ark" (the whole movie, one single, continuous shot!), Hitchcock's "Rope" (one of the best of Hitchcock, and it's almost one continuous shot too!), and "Into the Wild." Probably more I can think of, but that's all I got there.

Länder, die ich besucht habe

Austria, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Länder, in denen ich gelebt habe

Germany, United Kingdom, United States