ABOUT ME

My friends describe me as kind, gentle, thoughtful, considerate (almost to a fault) and mellow. I am a font of information - I used to be called a walking encyclopedia in the days before Google (and the web) existed. And yes, although I may not look that way, I really am that old. I'd like to think my friends would say I have a young active soul, although many people tell me I have an old soul. I like to think that is because of the many intense experiences I have been through in my years on this planet.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To find the magic combination of a great place to stay while meeting new friends while I am traveling; to give back to all those who have given me a couch or spare bed to stay on while I am visiting their city or homeland; to keep cooperative programs that serve as a needed alternative to profit-driven models of residence (looking at you, AirBnb and Home Away).

Interests

I love being able to help others and making a positive change - everything from opening doors to others (literally and figuratively). My passion comes from a desire to make things just a bit better than before and to honor the unique perspective I have on life and share that with others. I am an active environmental and health care activist - things former I have done since high school; the latter has been a passion for the last four years from health challenges that family members and I have gone through. I like to unwind by taking long bike rides or short sprints around town; hiking; reading; hearing a great live band performance (jazz; alternative rock; alternative non-mainstream hip hop aka urban alternative are some forms I like) and spending quality with friends.

• performing arts
• breakfast
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• magic
• jazz
• cycling
• hiking
• history
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: The Roots - our generations Rolling Stones IMHO; Tame Impala; The Internet

Movies: 2001: A Space Odyssey; Three Kings; Syriana; Three Days of the Condor; Do The Right Thing

Books: Little Brother;

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Surviving brain cancer is the most amazing feat that I have accomplished in my life time. It really took a strong community of friends and my partner to get me through the rough parts of brain surgery, chemotherapy and recovering to a new normal post-treatment. As of October 2015, I have been out of treatment for four years and in remission officially for two years!

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: navigating your way around a city, especially transportation systems. I tend to have a great knack at finding my way around, even in a city I don't know.

Learn: languages, cultures and local customs. From a language of a country I have not visited or studied or a dialect from a region that is new and different from my own. I love gaining an understanding of how those who live in an area communicate and what is special to them, especially locally favored foods, specific customs and places to visit that aren't typically visited by tourists.

Share: I love to share stories about the history of cities and nature (the latter if I have read up on your community before traveling). I also love to bring trinkets and momentums from my Bay Area stores to other places. Let me know what you would like me bring or how I can surprise you!

Bonus: if we hang out, I can assure you at least once I will be asked for directions by someone in your city that I have never been to before.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A great, positive fun attitude and zest for life;
My love for travel and my passion for understanding more about where you live;

Making breakfast from scratch;
If requested, a batch of cookies (not from scratch right now);
Real Estate Investment tips based on future development trends;
What do see when you come visit San Francisco, Oakland and the SF Bay Area;

Countries I’ve Visited

Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States