(Work in progress) I'm a bit of an overcommitted overachiever. I am always trying to do it all/my best (more importantly is better than before). I currently believe this includes fun, but I tend to choose fun less often (hopefully due to temporary, school-related circumstances) than I use to.
I'm open to just about anything. It doesn't mean I will just believe whatever I am being told. If my intrigue vs time constraint sense is high enough, I will respectfully question what is being said, first to make sure I fully understand the claim and then once I do (and still think something doesn't sound right), to determine whether there is logical inconsistency and/or difference in philosophical view (or maybe something else). I am saying this here to not have it mistaken for something else if/when the occasion arises, since (not often but) this not just harmless, but helpful effort has at certain times been mistaken for some sort of challenging of something about who they are. I personally have no problem having light-hearted, even humorous, conversation or debate about the things that are most fundamental to my way of life. Not everyone feels this way. So, if at any point you are not okay with where the conversation is going, please let me know and I will happily change course. (My main reason for this long caveat, despite [as you're probably thinking] how often this doesn't happen, I think this is a good opportunity to find out what it is like to accumulate experiences with those who all know what I'm about ahead of time)
I am vegan. I am

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I couchsurfed last summer while visiting grad schools in the northeast after a summer internship that is in the area. I had a great time with my hosts. One of them brought us to a phenomenal show by two local bands, which was not what I anticipated to be what I remember most from experience in Princeton. Now I am trying to get a feel for the Pasadena/LA/SoCal community while looking for a place to stay for the next 2ish months that I will be participating in a summer research experience at Caltech.

Interests

Most everything (seriously, I try to find ways to appreciate just about everything).
I won't repeat what is in CV, which I have uploaded. Documentaries, abstract art, experimental art (this includes all art like film, music, literature), Dali, short stories, Hemingway,

One thing that disinterests me is small talk. (after a second look at my statement: ) I try to not say anything unless I think it is useful, funny, or interesting. I am now realizing some might take this paragraph too seriously or see it as intimidating in a "be careful with what you say" sort of way. I am neither pessimistic nor condescending, externally or internally (these two are the same for me personally, unless we're at a point where of mutual 'horsing around'). I value getting everyone's input way too much to let knee-jerk reactions at potential accidental ambiguities, less-than-optimal word choices, lack of topic-specifiic vocabulary or expertise, and likewise stickler-ish hangups that (I think) do not take precedence over the freedom of exchange of perspectives and information in general. (Sorry for lack of concision)

• arts
• literature
• documentaries
• vegan
• music
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

(overlap with "My Interests") I tend to like any music genre or combination thereof with a little funk added in. I listen to a ton of different genres. Some of my favorites: 311, Incubus, Outkast, Rush, Rage Against The Machine, System of a Down, Of Montreal, Mr Bungle, Nas, Slightly Stoopid, Squarepusher, Sublime, Slipknot, Tchaikovsky, Hoobastank (mainly when they still had the saxophone player before they were famous), Busta Rhymes, Gorillas, Immortal Technique, Deftones, Skindred, Mars Volta, Sound of Animals Fighting, Hot Hot Heat, White Stripes, Yeasayer, Common, Black Star, Mos Def, Talib Kwali, General Patton vs The Executioners, Lemon Jelly, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Jethro Tull, Cream, Led Zepplin, Fatboy Slim, Daft Punk, Pink Floyd (especially the first album with Sid), Bjork, Ani Difranco, Ludacris, The Last of the Shadow Puppets, Foster The People, Them Crooked Vultures, Portishead, Lovage, Mike Patton's many projects in general, Cee-Lo in general, Dave Matthews Band, MC Chris, David Byrne, Crash Test Dummies (mainly the God Shuffled His Feet album), Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes, Maroon 5, Muse, Phish, Paul Simon's Graceland Album, Thievery Corporation, Trapt, Vampire Weekend, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots

Teach, Learn, Share

Please let me know if what I may think I'm informing you of you actually already are aware, otherwise I will keep elaborating/rambling.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have a ton of the most unlikely experiences. I am pretty knowledgeable about the many of the different types of things documentary makers, activists, philanthropists, ... are trying to spread awareness about. I have a lot of theories about the major events and patterns of history and why the world is the way it is today. Nutritional advice. I used to be a personal trainer. Gaining muscle weight while being vegan.