CURRENT MISSION

To aim myself at the completion of a Master's Degree in Philosophy and fire till the chambers are empty

ABOUT ME

A poet, a player, no prophet or priest
A writer, half rebel, a rover, no thief
A worker awoken, a watcher, a scout
A driver, a doer, a dreamer - no doubt
A mirror, a mind, a mourner, and realist
A shaker, a songbird, a thinker, idealist
Yes frightened, yes dying, yes bitter, yes slave
Yet leader, yet living, yet loving and brave
True: I am distinct, yet debatable
because, "I too am untranslatable."

For those preferring prose:
I love to think and learn. After university, I worked for a non-profit after-school program (Boys & Girls Club) in my hometown. I'm always curious to see what is next in my life. I am good at fewer things than I enjoy, which I consider a happy disposition, especially considering that I enjoy a great many things.

PHILOSOPHY

Being a good person is very important to me--integrity is the one trait that vindicates all others, no matter how impressive or practical any other trait might be.

Learning gives meaning to my life. That and music are probably the two most dependable sources of happiness that I can think of.

I think we are devastatingly lucky to be alive. Perhaps this truth is so powerfully joyful that we can't handle it all at once, and we repress it into boredom. Yet if we listen, there is so much to flood us with passionate appreciation in the simple joy of being alive. I like to catch hold of that, so long as I'm a good person on the way. I think that a lot of what we do is really amazing, whether or not we realize it. I like reminding myself that some of the things that have actually happened in my life are as beautiful as any art I've seen.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Right now I'm more on the surfing side of things, but I am inspired by the idea, and when I become more stable, I will host as well as travel.

In the short term, I want to contribute by being as conscientious, polite, and interesting a surfer as I can be! I also want to contribute to the couchsurfing community in NC (and really where ever I go). I've already met some wonderful people who have helped me out of tough spots, and I'm excited to meet more.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've now couch-surfed in about five different countries, and most of those were on a 6 week trip across Europe.

I've danced like crazy and stayed out till sunrise with a host, I've gone swimming and had a picnic at a "secret lake" in Poland, and I've gone to a Danish house party in Belgium where everyone was super nice, all thanks to my wonderful hosts and thanks to couchsurfing--skoal!

I'm impressed just by the excellent sorts of people of the community. Their intelligence, openness, and generosity are really inspiring. I can't wait to make fond friends with other surfers and hosts!

Interests

Philosophy, ukulele, etymology, science (that I can understand), metaphysics, having useful skills, religious studies, theatre, new technologies, psychology, surfing, languages, cognitive science, guitar, carrying walking sticks, climbing trees, how the mind and the brain work, camping, (obviously) travel, movies, improving the world, astrophysics, a good beer, protecting the environment, laughing and humor, writing, poetry, fiction, reading, chess, and...

having those really good conversations late at night that, when you reflect upon them, are some of the best moments of your life.

• arts
• writing
• poetry
• environment
• beer
• picnic
• walking
• partying
• clubbing
• movies
• chess
• reading
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• opera
• camping
• surfing
• christian
• rock climbing
• swimming
• etymology
• languages
• psychology
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Paul Simon (Simon & Garfunkle), Billie the Vision & the Dancers, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Queen, Death Cab For Cutie, Jay-Z, CAKE, Kanye West, The Decemberists, The Tallest Man on Earth, Flobots, The Killers, Regina Spektor, Mos Def, Outkast, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M, Weezer, The Hives, Kid Cudi, Warren Zevon, and others.

Authors: Douglas Adams, H. Rider Haggard, John Updike, Italo Calvino, William Faulkner, Thomas Wolfe, Chuck Palahnuik, Albert Camus, Jonathan Safran Foer, and many others in the kaleidoscope.
Books: The Daily Show with John Stewart presents America: The Book, The Dangerous Book for Boys, The Fountainhead, Brave New World, Animal Farm, Flowers for Algernon, Siddhartha, The Elegant Universe, and books by the above authors.

Movies (Directors first): Wes Anderson, Mel Brooks, Quentin Terrantino, Michel Gondry (a lot of my favorites are directed by the above)

Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit, Star Wars (original trilogy), Unbreakable, Garden State, I <3 Huckabees, Indiana Jones (oringinal trilogy), Ferris Beuler's Day Off, Fight Club, the Ocean's 11 series, and a fair number of Will Ferrel comedies

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Seeing the Sydney Opera House. More than that, I put it on my list even though it was on the other side of the planet, and then it happened. Wow!

There's also a story or two from Italy and some characters I met in Poland that I would be happy to share in person.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm really interested in Greek Philosophy before Socrates (i.e., pre-socratic), which isn't common knowledge. I have a pretty solid background there, so if you have questions I may be able to answer them.

I'm also happy to talk about the historical perspectives of early Christianity. There is a lot of fascinating subject matter there if it can be talked about. I've done some psychology and also some general philosophy. I love to talk about metaphysics, and I'm very interested in our sense perceptions, and I'm fairly knowledgeable about them.

I'm extremely interested in science I can learn from people, and I love to learn practical skills--show me how, and put me to work! I'm interested in WOOFing for this reason.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States