CURRENT MISSION

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

ABOUT ME

I like meeting new people, learning new things, and gaining new insights and experiences. I love nothing more than good conversation accompanied by tea, wine, swingsets, and the like. I'm a bit of a nerd, and have been known to be up at 1am with a cup of tea and my dog at my feet, reading whatever bit of genius that has captivated me. I am very open-minded and embrace the diversity of human experience. I relish equally moments of profound beauty and total absurdity.

PHILOSOPHY

Balance. Humor. Compassion.

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Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've not done too much surfing/hosting (the little i've done is positive), but I've attended events in different cities and I've always had such a positive experience. It's brilliant, bringing together people who are interested in meeting and knowing new friends, in connectedness. Currently I attend events, and I'm always up for meeting someone for coffee/a drink.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

See above- Nothing but good experiences.

Interests

I enjoy reading, traveling, people-watching, drinking tea, learning, watching movies, martial arts, roller coasters, TED talks, sunsets, swings, pastries, music. I love food of course, and here's very little that I don't like. I am a novice cook, though sometimes things turn out better than i expect :-)

• dogs
• arts
• beauty
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• coffee
• meditation
• walking
• drinking
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• surfing
• martial arts

Music, Movies, and Books

If it's innovative, provoking, or awkwardly funny, chances are I'll like it.Shows- 30 Rock. The Daily Show. Modern Family. Futurama.Movies- Dogma. So I Married and Axe Murderer. Kill Bill. Kick-Ass. I Heart Huckabees. The Princess Bride. Blue Valentine. Stranger than Fiction. Hero. 500 Days of Summer. Lars & the Real Girl.Books- Tao Te Ching. Three Cups of Tea. The Omnivore's Dilemma. A New Earth. Autobiography of a Yogi. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Life of Pi. Sh*t my Dad Says.Music- Sigur Rós. Pink Martini. Pink Floyd. The Mars Volta. The Notwist. Radiohead. The South Austin Jug Band. She & Him. Blind Pilot. Halloween Alaska. Rachmaninoff's Vespers. The Xx. Bon Iver. Foals.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I once went to a filming of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. We waited in line for about 5 hours, and ended up with front-row, center seats. Before the filming, Stewart took a few questions from the audience. I got to ask him a question- it was, 'If you could get another show cancelled, what would it be?' He laughed, and responded, 'Show or network?' If you're wondering what show he got cancelled, look up 'Jon Stewart on Crossfire' (youtube) and you'll see what i meant. The network of course denies that Stewart had anything to do with the cancellation :-)

Teach, Learn, Share

Anyone, everyone, who is open and willing to engage authentically with another human being. I suppose i do get drawn to people who are into healthy lifestyle, commitment to growth in self-awareness, e.g. food/nutrition, contemplative practices, sustainability, social justice, that sort of thing. But, the human experience varies infinitely, and i really enjoy meeting most everyone.

I have been meditating for a couple of years (I practice shamatha meditation- a form of mindfulness mediation) and could offer some instruction on basic sitting and walking technique. I can also teach some martial arts techniques. And, I make a mean bowl of chile pequin- my grandmother's recipe, inquire within.

Countries I’ve Visited

Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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