ABOUT ME

I've been out of school for a year now and am continuing to figure out who I am and what I believe in. I'm not sure where I want to go in my life yet, but I know the things that I'm pursuing right now: good friends, meaningful interactions with other human beings, delicious food, learning about how our society came to be this way, finding rocks to climb up, calming my mind through breathing, learning about organizations that are trying to solve social inequalities in our society, collaborating with other people, taking life less seriously, releasing the assumptions that I've unconsciously built through my life, among other things. I'd say I'm somewhat lost in this world that I've been thrown in, but I'm finding my way one day at a time. I'm learning more and more about myself and about the world as I search for my meaning.

I can also tell you the things I'm not into: imperialism, colonialism, discrimination based on gender/race/sexual orientation/religious stance/culture, fossil fuels, industrial agriculture, consumerism, anthropocentrism (the assumption our culture makes that humans are the most significant/important species on this planet) , unwillingness to change viewpoints despite good evidence and reason, the isolating nature of some technologies, not respecting the autonomy of another individual, among other things

I sometimes get depressed thinking about how all the things I don't like are pervasive in this culture. I get overwhelmed thinking about it which can lead to a sense of hopelessness. Yet at the same time, I'm seeing all the good in the world too. I realize that people aren't the problem in our culture, it's the systems that force their lives. And despite these forces, people are coming together in their communities to take back control of their lives. And this gives me hope, and a burning desire to be a catalyst of change in some way.

Ahh, life.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm traveling right now and so I need a place to stay sometimes. That's number one. But a very close number two is wanting to meet many different types of people and make meaningful connections with them. Couchsurfing is an awesome way to accomplish both those goals.

Interests

-look at the ABOUT ME first
-rock climbing
-urban agriculture
-bicycling
-reading
-sewing
-hiking and camping outdoors
-cooperatively run organizations
-Settlers of Catan
-sleeping
-breathing
-stretching
-more...

• culture
• dining
• running
• board games
• reading
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• camping
• rock climbing
• agriculture

Music, Movies, and Books

5 Bands I'm listening to a lot right now:
Alt-J
Bonobo
Milky Chance
Hozier
Modest Mouse

Books: 'Grapes of Wrath' is one of my favorites, or at least one that stands out the most in my mind. 'Ishmael' was monumental in shifting how I viewed the world. Anything by Kurt Vonnegut. Just read a book by Bukowski. I just started Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test; I can already tell it will be a winner. Oh and the Alchemist, so good!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I bicycled up the east coast of the U.S.

Teach, Learn, Share

I could show you how to plant some seeds and grow your own food.

I finally started getting into strategy board games and they're changing my life. I am down to learn any board game you got. So much fun.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Food, YUMM