CURRENT MISSION

To never have to say, "I've always wanted to do that" or "I should have done that."

ABOUT ME

I like people and their stories. You and I probably have more in common than you think. I like being active, both mentally and physically. Beer is great. Music is great. Interested in the power of networking and making meaningful connections. I try to approach everything with an open mind and a sense of humor.I've always had this strange desire to move from place to place - until I came to Montana. Now I want to be sedentary for a while. I am going to figure out why that is.

PHILOSOPHY

People are inherently good. Everyone has a story to tell and something to teach. I believe it is vitally important to challenge oneself and constantly step outside one's comfort zone; that's the best way to learn and grow.

It is better to collect life experience than work experience.

There are connections to be made everywhere. I believe that we all have more commonalities than we do differences. Let's focus on what we share rather than what can potentially tear us apart. I believe that if you bring folks together to share information, they will come up with innovative solutions to their problems and enact positive change. I am currently using that idea to develop a novel approach to ending poverty and unemployment in rural communities in Montana.

There is nothing more important than being present.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I get by with a little surfing from my friends. I surf the couches of incredible people. I host in Helena to pay it forward. I am currently tring to build an active Couchsurfing community in Helena, MT by hosting/encouraging CS events. Check out the Helena group I created for events and discussion.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I first used CouchSurfing on a road trip from New York to Arizona. I was skeptical before trying it, but now I am completely sold. Couch Surfing is changing the world. The kindness I encountered all over the country made me want to pay it forward, and that is exactly what I am doing.

Interests

people, politics, stories, music, writing/blogging, facial hair, beer, brewing beer, social media, networks

• writing
• books
• beer
• politics
• homebrewing
• blogging
• music
• surfing
• communications
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Books make me dream. I mainly read non-fiction these days. I really like music, and I made this list for you.The DecemberistsThe ShinsBroken BellsOasisColdplayThe CribsArctic MonkeysBloc PartyDierks BentleyGeorge StraitRodney AtkinsBrad PaisleyJosh TurnerNoah and the WhaleThe VaccinesThe Head and the HeartJurassic 5Belle and SebastianAntony and the JohnsonsBon IverBeirutThe SmithsPhantogramKris OrlowskiAgesandagesRay LaMontagneRural Alberta AdvantageLuke BryanThe KooksBrett DennenThe StrokesDeath Cab for CutieThe Whitest Boy AliveAllen StoneLanghorne SlimCrystal FightersThe Mountain GoatsI'm all over the place. Let's go on a musical roller coaster ride together.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

When my Peace Corps service abruptly came to an end for various reasons, my host father, a Q'eqchi man who rarely showed emotions, told me that I was like a son to him and that he did not want me to go. We cried in each other's arms for 30 seconds. I will never forget that moment.I witnessed a group of bison galloping over rollings hills into the sunset in Badlands National Park in South Dakota. It was a beautiful thing.I climbed a treacherous "path" up a mountain in Banff, Alberta and, upon getting to the top and looking down, realized the only way down was to slide on my back. So I slid.

Teach, Learn, Share

Let's see, I know Spanish and some phrases in Q'eqchi, an ancient Mayan language. Kamchaq li mesleb means bring the broom, which can be quite useful when it comes to household cleaning situations. Everything is subjective, but I like to think that I am a pretty good writer. We could talk about writing/blogging.

I recently started brewing beer. The few beers that I have brewed have turned out pretty well, but I am in no way an expert. If I teach you to brew a bad beer, then maybe we could commiserate over how much of a failure it was. Beer fascinates me, and I probably talk about it more than is socially acceptable. I especially have an affinity for IPAs and dark beers.

I want to learn about pretty much everything. Except for beets. I hate beets.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Bolivia, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Ghana, Guatemala, Mexico, United States

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