I am originally from Claremont, California; a great college town and suburb about 55 km east of Los Angeles, but have spent the last 5 years living in Long Beach, California, which is just 50km south of L.A. I spent the last 3 years working in a restaurant and a record store, and recently I worked for an awesome music venue in L.A.

Last Fall I quit my jobs and bought a one-way ticket to Paris and spent 4 months traveling through much of Europe and Morocco, collecting amazing experiences, friends, words, and otherwise. I'm now back in Southern California organizing a music festival in Downtown Long Beach.

I am easy-going and open-minded. I love sharing great conversations over great meals. I like to have a good time but am not super interested in the party or club scene, but love to dance when the music and the mood is right and always enjoy a good local dive bar with a good jukebox . That said, I believe spontaneity is the key to happiness--which is also why I might be looking for a place only a day or two before arriving. I am but a leaf blowing in the wind...

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I really believe experiencing an unknown city with locals is the best way to do it. I love meeting new people and the idea of having friends all over the world who can hopefully one day come visit me in my town. It is my hope and plan to meet locals and get to know them everywhere I go, and couch surfing is the best beginning in a city I can think of.

Interests

My passions encompass music, live music, great food, lively conversation, delicious wine, live theater, the cinematheque, foreign languages (trying to learn at least 10 words in each non-english speaking place I encounter), and making new friends, among other things.

• theater
• festivals
• dancing
• dining
• wine
• partying
• drinking
• clubbing
• movies
• traveling
• music
• live music
• surfing
• history
• languages
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

This is, to me, a conversation to be had in person. I will instead, just say which shows and otherwise I have gone to while in Europe .

Music:
- Saw Marianne Faithfull perform in Berlin
- Heard Morrissey in Berlin. I say "heard" because the show was sold-out and the tickets were too expensive so I stood outside and listened.
- Saw GOAT in Stockholm, Sweden.
- Saw various bands in Brighton at the Drill: Brighton Festival, the highlights of which were: Savages, Wire, Swans, Young Fathers, Courtney Barnett, Toy, and The Wytches.
- Saw Anna Calvi play a very special one-off show in London in a church with a choir and orchestra. One of the best shows I've ever been to.

Movies: Love film so much I got a degree in it. I love many movies, especially those of Linklater, Jarmusch, Kubrick, Baumbach, and many others. I love going to the cinema and seeing films old and new on the big screen. I have many dates with myself and the movie house.

Books: I just finished reading Raymond Carver's collection of short stories titled What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, and We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. Next book will be Patti Smith's M Train.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Quit all my jobs and bought a one-way ticket to Paris.

Teach, Learn, Share

"Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching."

I can offer my thoughts and humble wisdom on the history of cinema as well as contemporary films, music, and my even more humble opinions about life in general. I can share music and make you a mixtape. I would love to hear anything you have to say, or learn anything you have to teach. I am especially interested in learning more vocabulary in any language, as well as in learning how to dance to all forms of music.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I'm not a gifted artist in the kitchen but can make some tasty french toast. Instead I offer to take my hosts out for a nice meal and/or drinks to thank them for their hospitality. I can also offer to do some extra cleaning for longer stays.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, United States