CURRENT MISSION

To boldly blah where no blah has blahed before. Yeah, that'll do.

ABOUT ME

I was born with an ethnic name (Karim) that I do not feel fits with my character entirely. Its origin means "The Generous One", which is true of me, but also of many other people on the globe, so I prefer to be called something different... and so about a year ago, I finally gave birth to myself (so to speak), and Kensington Fine was "born."

Kensington lives in a fantasy world called reality. He usually enjoys the beach more than people, but people are a close second. Looking at the horizon over the ocean sometimes makes him think that the world may actually be flat and its just our perception that is misguided. Then again, there is no spoon.

Kensington used to volunteer for about 7 years with handicapped children (and some adults). It was a very rewarding experience and helped him to be humble and appreciate everything he has in life, especially our 5 senses.

Right now, he is partaking a spiritual journey to discover himself and push himself to new limits. Gotta test the waters sometime, you know? So off to Europe he went for a year! Then road-tripped the U.S. for a few months. And now, Kensington has morphed into Kent Clark, but he's still travelling...who knows where to next... the wind will just blow him where he is needed, right...? So far, it says more volunteering. The karmic circle of life is in dire need of some selflessness.

Music is the essence and rhythm of life. It is needed every second of every day. Is it any wonder that seconds on a clock have a beat?

KENSINGTON/KENT/KARIM HAS FOUND THE MEANING OF LIFE!!! ITS TRUE!!!
THIS IS USUALLY BEST EXPRESSED OVER A DRINK!!! (or several, depends on your tolerance level)

I really have no idea why I am talking in the third person. Neither does he. Maybe its the Gemini Twin thing. We get a little confused with one another. No. He does. No, he does. Stop it! No, you stop it! Let me finish writing this and then we can go back to beating ourself up. Fine, write it already. I am, just shut up. Fine. Fine. Geez!!!!!

PHILOSOPHY

I wake up every day with the same thought: "How strong is your power?"
Then I spend my day answering that question, usually in a dreamlike state.

However, â

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Sorry but I had my profile set to maybe accepting visitors but I travel too much now so I can not host. Unfortunatelyy response rate went from 100% to 0% which is ridiculous. I'm still active in the CS community and love to meet up but send me a message, not a request. And please stop with the copy and paste generic emails because you don't have money. Most of these are what ruined my response rate. Thanks!

Plan to travel the globe eventually so this avenue makes a lot of sense. Helps me to connect with the locals in a way that couldn't be accomplished otherwise.

I am willing to host at my abode but since I'm always traveling, I can't do that as often as I would like. Nevertheless, I surely am trying to "pay-it-forward" and eventually I would like to accommodate anyone and everyone!

However, while traveling, I love to cook a special meal with and for my hosts, usually with an Arab flair mixed with a bit of Soul and/or Italian. Like me, you really can't get a better mix!

Keep in mind that like your books, I will raid your kitchen cabinets and analyze all the spices you have. I find a person's kitchen so fascinating!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

My first experience was in Fort Lauderdale, NJ (Wilton Manors area) with a great guy that showed my [then] boyfriend and I around town each day. This experience helped me realize the world can be a wonderful place if we make it that way.

Since then I have couchsurfed in the following destinations:

Barcelona, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Sevilla, Spain
Tarifa/Facinas, Spain
Ourense, Spain
Porto, Portugal
Lisbon, Portugal
Setubal, Portugal
Faro, Portugal
Olhao, Portugal
London, England
Innsbruck, Austria
Zurich, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland
Heidelberg, Germany
Bingen, Germany
Mainz, Germany
Berlin, Germany
Bonifacio, Corsica
Milan, Italy
Torino, Italy
Robbiate, Italy (I also hosted some dinners here)
Parma, Italy
Bologna, Italy
Florence, Italy
Gent, Belgium
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Maastrict, Netherlands
Stuttgart, Germany
Paris, France
Malaga, Spain (I hosted in my resort!)
Fuengirola, Spain
New York City, USA (I sort of hosted here...?!)
Princeton area, NJ, USA (I sort of hosted here too)
Brooklyn, NY, USA
Raleigh (Cary), NC, USA
Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Chicago, IL, USA
Kansas City, MO, USA
Fayetteville, AR, USA
Little Rock, AR, USA
Jacksonville, AR, USA
Dallas, TX, USA (hosted here)
Atlanta, GA, USA (hosted here)

with many more destinations on the way. I think the funniest one thus far was couchsurfing at a friend's hostel in Sevilla. I literally occupied the living room futon and everyone was cool with it. This was right after I carsurfed from Lisboa to Olhao. What a weird week that was!!! I also hostel-surfed in London and Innsbruck, Austria. YHA doesn't know what hit em!

After 10 months exploring Europe and 7 months in New York City area, 2 years in Dallas, 1 year in Atlanta, 1 year in Philadelphia, I am now venturing across the United States to Phoenix, AZ. Upon arrival, my home will be available again for anyone. Then its onto Central and South America and eventually India, or just wherever the wind blows me...

Interests

Music. Beach. Music. People. Music. Travel. Music. Cooking. Music. Writing. Music. Life. Music. Hmmmm... Music.

What I'm Looking For:

First, myself. Like anything worthwhile, I am the journey, not the destination.

Along the way however, I would love to meet a troubled soul that has found happiness; get some perspective, I suppose.

Perhaps read a few thousand books that fully captivate my mind and soul; recommendations always welcome.

Learn the culture and experience the life of a new city; tour guides welcome as well.

Take the path less traveled; no tour guide needed, but thanks.

Perhaps along the way, I will learn some new recipes, hear and see new artists and finish writing my book, my poems and my songs. Here's one for you to better understand me and what I am looking for...

"Intellectual Beauty"

On another level, in a far off dimension
You lie, barely escaping depression.
With answers to the world's fatal fears
But no vehicle to mock those queries.

Yet you continue to expand your vision,
By ingesting culture, faith and religion,
Holding onto countless sounds and expressions,
Visions, languages and impressions.
You listen, already knowing what is said,
While thoughts are created, married and bred.

You speak with a power not your own,
Possessed by angels, scholars and the unknown.
With movement, quick as lightning,
Your senses heightened by your surroundings,
Magic radiates from your eyes
Like stars burning in the distant skies.

You feel the life and nature all around you,
Yet can't change the world like the Gods above you.

Dignity can only proceed your name,
With pride written across your face.
You control the physics of time and space
And guide others to a far off place,
Using your quick wit, fast pace,
Colloquial charm, and elegant displace.

You are surpassed by none
But imitated by many.
Even a mirror couldn't duplicate
The reflection of your intellectual beauty.

I originally wrote this poem in 2003 with no one special in mind. But in hindsight, I think it was actually about me. Hmmm...

Oh, and did I mention I love music?

• arts
• culture
• writing
• books
• poetry
• beauty
• perfumes
• cooking
• recipes
• yoga
• meditation
• drinking
• traveling
• magic
• music
• guitar
• piano
• martial arts
• teaching
• languages
• medicine
• physics
• religion
• tourism
• volunteering
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: Love ALMOST everything...

Ace of Base, Air, Anggun, Beatles, Billie Holiday, BjorK, Bliss, Blondie, Carly Simon, Cher, Cicada, Coldplay, Cyndi Lauper, Daft PunK, Dangerous Muse, Dave Matthews Band, Dee-Lite, Depeche Mode, Dido, Duran Duran, Elton John, Elvis Presley, Enigma, Enya, Erykah Badu, Esthero, Etta James, Eurythmics, Everything But The Girl, Ewan Pearson, Fiona Apple, Fleetwood Mac, Frou Frou, Gaelle, Garbage, George Michael, Goldfrapp, Googoosh, Gorillaz, the Gossip, the GreensKeepers, Gwen Stefani, Hole, IIO, INXS, Jamiroquai, Janet JacKson, JES, Jewel, Joan Jett, Johnny Cash, Joss Stone, Justin TimberlaKe, KasKade, The Killers, The Knife, Kosheen, Kylie Minogue, Ladytron, Lamya, Lil Kim, Lisa Shaw, Live, Madonna, Magnet, Maroon 5, Massive AttacK, Mattafix, MGMT, MindSinK, Missy Elliott, MoloKo, Mommas and the Papas, Moon Bear, Morcheeba, Morningwood, Muse, Nadia Ali, Nelly Furtado, Nikka Costa, Nirvana, No Doubt, Nude Dimensions, Oceanlab, Passion Pit, Pat Benatar, Paul Oakenfold, Paula Abdul, Paulina Rubio, Pet Shop Boys, PhoteK, Phoenix, PinK, Platinum Weird, Plumb, Portishead, Poe, Prince, Princess Superstar, Private Lounge Collection, Pussycat Dolls, Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roisin Murphy, RoyKsopp, Sade, Sarah Brightman, Sarah McLachlan, Scissor Sisters, Shakira, Sigur Ros, Smashing PumpKins, Stevie NicKs, Stone Temple Pilots, Siouxsie And The Banshees, Taja Seville, TelepopmusiK, The Temper Trap, Thievery Corporation, Toni Braxton, Tool, Tori Amos, Tracey Thorn, Tracy Chapman, Way Out West, White Stripes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Zero 7, The 80's... and finally, "The Young Lioness" - Teedra Moses

But I'll listen to anything if the artist has any talent: either good lyrics, good beats or the connection between the two. I just started writing my own music, so maybe I'll add my name to this category (once I produce something worthy - lol!).

Books: Plenty of 'em!!! Prefer comedy, mind-altering or spiritual books over historical or non-fiction, but any story can be great so I leave an open mind.

Some of my more recent favorites:
"1984"
"Siddhartha"
"Dharma Bums"
"The Alchemist"
"The Life of Pi"
"House of Sleep"
"The Kite Runner"
"The End of Mr. Y"
"Tales of the City"
"Ritual" by Mo Hayder
"The Laws of Thinking"
"Me Talk Pretty One Day"
"Physics of the Impossible"
"The Picture of Dorian Gray"
"Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs"
"Selected Poems of Fernando Pessoa"
"Wilderness 1 & 2 - Poems by Jim Morrison"
"Hard-Boiled Wonderland and The End of the World"
"I Like You" by Dave Sedaris' sis, Amy Sedaris, from Comedy Central's 'Strangers with Candy' (AKA Jerri Blank). haha You get big brownie points if you know her!

Currently reading:
"Catcher in the Rye"
"Valley of the Dolls"
"Mind-Play, The Creative Uses of Fantasy"
"Chances Are: Adventures in Probabilities".
"One Hundred Years of Solitude" - giving up on this one probably!
I find I'm a total bibliophile; put me in front of library, and I may be arrested for molestation as I need to "feel" each book. But each book was meant to be read, so you can't really rape the willing, right? :)

But I think the best book of all time has gotta be the "Dictionary". Yeah, and when I'm feeling a bit rambunctious, I try the "Thesaurus" - it's a total page turner!!

*** Upon entry to your home, I will most likely stare at your bookshelf for a good while. And then your music collection. I might skim over your movies as well. Finally, I will raid your kitchen cabinets and start cooking a meal! ***

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Woke up before noon. Twice. First time was when I was born, so it wasn't my choice. The doctor actually pulled me outta there. I was perfectly content. Had plenty of tubes and had the drapes shut. Got my own workout thing going for me. Plenty of kicks. Whatever. So yeah, told myself I wasn't gonna wake up in the A.M. again. Then Wham! hit and everybody was trying to wake me up before they went-went. (let me know if you actually got that joke!?!)

Also, ran around and through the town of Facinas, Spain barefoot... three times! THANKS FLO!!!!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm pretty self-disciplined but I could use a teacher to learn: 1) the piano or guitar (or anything related to music), 2) martial arts, 3) yoga (including breathing and stretching), 4) a new language, and 5) to slow down when speaking. Sometimes, I'm too fast to even understand what I say! :)

I believe everyone has a life to lead and a story to tell. I was given two ears for a reason: one to hear Mother Nature, the other to hear you. I am not a master of meditation, but I can help you channel your energy for a better outcome. If you're not into that, I can show you a few things in the kitchen.

Great info from fellow CS member, FLYINGDAGGER:
http://taichistories.blogspot.com/

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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