I just made a MAJOR life change, uprooting my entire life in the US and moving (permanently) to Ecuador. (Thank the orange one who wants to rule the US as a dictator for that.)

I was badly injured in a motorcycle accident while living in India during the orange one's last reign, and I am still not totally recovered. (Don't think I will ever be.) I am metal from my right hip to mid shin, and walking can be difficult. That means no more long hikes, and have yet to try getting back in a kayak, but I plan on doing as much as I can to explore my new country and continent. I also cannot get my leg over a motorcycle seat any more, but I'm hoping a scooter is in my future.

CURRENT MISSION

To try to enjoy life despite my brokenness.

ABOUT ME

Well, most of this is in other parts of this profile, but I'm the type of person who is interested in pretty much everything, as long as it doesn't involve violence. (I'm not a football, boxing or martial arts fan.)

I guess that fits with the philosophy I wish everyone would live by, which is "Do unto others ..."

I'm of the opinion that as long as what you're doing isn't harming anyone else, you should be able to do it.

That doesn't mean I don't have rules. My home is a gun-free, smoke-free, drug-free place, but that doesn't mean I will condemn you for smoking elsewhere. (I may give you some grief about smoking.)

PHILOSOPHY

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Right now, I will be hosting once I fully move into my new place, and if I travel, hope to meet other hosts as a surfer. I also host HelpXers, WorkAwayers and WorldPackers, and if you're looking for a longer-term stay, I'm open to that.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Both hosting and surfing.

I’ve been doing this for many years now, and absolutely love hosting. I've have made amazing friends both as a host and a surfer.

Interests

I am officially retired (although as a writer I don’t know that I’ll ever really stop doing what I do), and over the years have spent most of my time as a sports reporter.

My last job was working for a local high school/junior college as a sports information assistant, while also freelancing for the local newspaper. That meant I was often at some sort of sporting event, whether it was a pro baseball game, a mid-school football game, a high school cross country meet or a community rodeo.

My other love is motorcycles, and that's how I got to "work" 98 percent of the time. I've been riding for more than 45 years and I'd still rather get around on two wheels than four. (Unfortunately, I can no longer get on a motorcycle, but I'm hoping a scooter is in my future.)

All that said, there's very little I'm NOT interested in. I can get interested in everything from politics (I'm very liberal) to travel to the latest astronomical findings.

When I'm on the road, I look for natural sites, astronomical sites (observatories, planetariums, etc.), historical sites or just something unique to where I'm traveling.

• cats
• photography
• traveling
• hiking
• kayaking
• baseball
• astronomy
• motorcycle touring

Music, Movies, and Books

Country western, folk music. Science fiction in books, TV and the very, VERY rare occasions I go to the movies.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Mother Nature continually leaves me awestruck, whether it's the Grand Canyon in the U.S., the night sky from the Warrumbungle Mountains in Australia, an alpine vista on the Germany/Austria border or a coral reef teeming with fish under the Arabian Sea.

Anything having to do with space travel leaves me awestruck, and I wish one of the places on "Where do you want to visit" was the Moon or Mars or beyond ...

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm open to just about anything so make me an offer.

My specialty is writing, which I really don't think can be taught, and I'm a jack of all trades, master of none, but ask me anything and I'll try to answer.

And I have taught English in Vietnam.

What I Can Share with Hosts

An enthusiasm for life.

As I said above, I don't know that you can teach writing, but I can try. I also can share a total love of exploring wherever I am, whether it be checking out the sights, tasting the food or exploring the culture.

I hope I can be as good a surfer as folks tell me I was a host.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

India, United States

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