https://m.facebook.com/michaelthartmanphotography/

Philosophy I'm trying to fully embrace the montra that strangers are friends I've never met. Everyone who's close to you, at some point, was a stranger.

I love photography! I worked as a photographer for Lifetouch for a year and pursue it full time!

I suppose like a lot of people in this community, novel experiences and meeting awesome people are an addiction. Professionally I'd love to work in the energy generation sector. I havent given up on that perfect career. Im starting to think that a personal business is going to be the best option. If it doesnt exist, make it exist. Self reliance and my impact on the environment are also very important to me.

Questions are my favorite. They're a product of curiosity which comes from an active mind. I love thoughtful people.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

1. Meet new people. :D
2. Traveling can be expensive
3. Hotels can be lonely and far from the "home" feeling.
4. Grow as a person by surrounding myself with interesting people! You are a reflection of the company you keep. And wow, there are all kinds of people on CS!

Interests

Anything outdoors or related to technology and energy. Green energy is the bomb and a long term goal of mine! Now that I'm not working as an apprentice electrician (for safety and long term health reasons) I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to fit into the green energy sector.

Philosophy is always fascinating.

Like a tree has many branches, I too have many interests. And not enough time to explore them all :(

Music, Movies, and Books

I feel like you can gain a lot of insight from a person by the hobbies they occupy themselves with (like the music they listen to).
Music is an extension of the mood you're in or want to be in. Music is a love of mine from Shostakovich to Rammstein to the Decemberists to blue grass and more. Haha, but naming them can be so hard for me, I care about the sounds and emotions more than the names of the groups that play them!

I read books that encourage a lot of personal reflection, self growth, development, etc.

Ex: The Science of Success by Napoleon Hill, Stickability - Think and Grow Rich, Wild at Heart, The Psychology of Persuassion, home and garden things, cook books, etc. (Here recently I haven't read much, just too many interests ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Went to the 2018 Cleveland couch crash and met the love of my life at the farewell picnic!

I played the trumpet for 7 years.

Traveled for a year for work using CS instead of hotels and met a lot of really cool people!

Went hunting last year and haven't purchased meat from the grocery store for months.

Growing a small garden on the back porch to have access to awesome amazingly fresh and healthy food!

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm willing to listen if you're willing to teach.
I know enough about photography to teach you some basics in a short period of time with a camera (smart phone will work).

Music is awesome too! Listening and playing. I can pick up a guitar, harmonica, and play the piano a little ( and I mean very little) - probably not enough to teach, but learn definitely!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Good company and conversation. I love animals too and don't mind helping with them. For anything else, just ask.