In what feels like a lifetime ago, I was a journalist, or at least studying to be one. But the year I graduated from college, my local paper laid off half the staff, and they've laid off half the staff a few more times sense. So that went out the window.

Oh well, nostalgia is a toxic impulse anyway.

These days, I do what I can to stay sane in this insane world--drinking with friends, bar trivia, skateboarding, the occasional creative project; whatever helps distract from the drudgery of sitting in a windowless room eight hours a day for a living.

Lately, I've tried to get more involved in local activism and organizing through the local DSA chapter and other Lefty groups in town. That's felt really empowering and positive. And I think my next big move in life will be going to law school so that I can make a living helping people for a change.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Haven't had the oppurtunity to travel as much as I'd like lately, but I've gotten to host a lot of great folks over the years. I still keep in touch with some travelers I hosted ages ago when I first found out about couch surfing.

In my opinion, this is by far the best way to travel.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've been lucky enough to host a lot of really cool people over the past four years from all corners of the globe.

As far as traveling goes, I haven't often got the chance (I keep making the excuse that I can't find the money to hit the road as much as I'd like). But I've always had fun any with my hosts on the odd occasion that I do get to couchsurf with others.

Interests

I listen to approximately a thousand podcasts a day, and I'd talk Lefty politics and ideology with you until you tell me to shut up. But I think I'm typically a good drinking buddy anyway :p Seriously though, I really like meeting people and hearing their stories (perhaps the old journalist in me isn't completely dead yet) I just started skateboarding a few months ago and am likewise laughably bad at it, but it's fun when I don't grievously injure myself.

• writing
• documentaries
• beer
• news
• movies
• video games
• traveling
• podcasts
• music
• live music
• journalism
• comedy

Music, Movies, and Books

Anything by Kurt Vonnegut.

Of course, I like a lot of nonfiction too--Malcom Gladwell, David Sedaris, David Rakoff, and a host of others.

Right now, I'm trying to read more Marx and other great Leftist literature.

My cinematic tastes are pretty broad. I like documentaries and black comedies and indie flicks but I also like some more mainstream stuff like classics or some of the more big-budget comedies.

My musical tastes (like anyone's these days) are likewise tough to nail down. I like everything from classical to garage punk, lo-fi, jazz, hip-hop, rock). I think anyone who pretends to claims to have any real idea what they like is a liar these days now that everyone has access to a billion songs in their pockets all the time.

My top three are probably Bowie, Queen, and Iggy Pop. But I dig Outkast, Dre (new and old), and the Coup is straight dope. Basically "I like all the stuff 'cool people' have generally agreed is good."

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Gotten stuck in the Sahara miles from the road in Tunisia with my brother last year. Ooh, we also accidentally took a gas smuggler's road to Algeria on that trip :p

On my way back from visiting my brother in Tunisia, I had a layover in Rome. Got to visit an old friend, and somehow in my 13-hour layover, we managed to bicycle 1,000 miles, drink half the beer in Rome, and see just about every major tourist spot in the city over the course of my layover.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Professional dishwashing experience and a winning smile

Countries I’ve Visited

Italy, Tunisia, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States