CURRENT MISSION

The more I learn and experience, the more excited about learning and experiencing I become.

ABOUT ME

I'm always learning, curious, a good sense of humor. I enjoy good conversation and discussion, asking questions, finding out about people, places and things. Serious debate is good, but I often like to lighten the mood with humor. The Daily Show is the best source of news. 6'1" 186#...today.

PHILOSOPHY

Life is too short to get worked up about [unfortunately, not advice that I can always abide by]--other than things that will make this place better than it is. But I couldn't survive without being able to see the humor and irony in this world.
Too much of a cynic to trust much of what is happening; to much of an idealist to give up.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have enjoyed several guests at home and enjoyed staying with others as well. Because I am spending most of these last two years living in Krakow with my wife and stepson, we haven't been able to accept quests but for very brief windows.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Have thoroughly enjoyed the guests that I have hosted and look forward to more. Have now done my own surfing. The first time I was very anxious and felt great appreciation that someone would invite a stranger into their home, but it has been all I could hope for and more.

Interests

Architecture, nature, women (married to a wonderful one), well written books, good photography, and music. Good food and drink. Engaging, interesting company. I love to read, write, play at photography; I road bike, enjoy cooking, and can't not have music.

• writing
• books
• architecture
• photography
• concerts
• dining
• cooking
• drinking
• news
• auto racing
• music
• cycling
• surfing

Music, Movies, and Books

There is so much junk in each of these categories that the good stuff are really treasures: Like Woody Allen, Humphrey Bogart, Harold & Maude, King of Hearts, Dangerous Laisons, Pulp Fiction, Time Bandits & 25th Hour...; Beethoven, Mozart, the Beatles, Billy Joel, Keith Jarret, Brad Mehldau, Joe Cocker, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, Adele...; Unbearable Lightness of Being, Moby Dick, Staring at the Sun, The Name of the Rose, Mason and Dixon, Sacred Hunger, In Cold Blood, A Prayer For Owen Meany, The Time of Our Singing, The Children, [stop me, please]...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

There are too many things on this planet to settle on just two or three: The Grand Canyon at sunrise, Obama's Inauguration, my daughter, Iguazu Falls, the Taj Mahal, Mozart, Keith Jarrett's Koln Concert album. One of my best summers was spent teaching English to high school students in Poland; another spent with Paul Newman writing a magazine profile in what turned out to be his last year of auto racing.
But the best has to be meeting my wife via couchsurfing!

Teach, Learn, Share

This I do believe. Personally, I would prefer to be doing it as far from home as possible, not because I am an expert on the US, but I have lived my life here and know it well enough to know I want to learn more about other people and places. I enjoy absorbing from others and hope that I have something worthwhile for others to absorb.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Hospitality, good company, and questions, questions, questions. I enjoy listening and can share some of my own experiences if there is interest.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Macao, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Saint Martin (French part), Singapore, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Virgin Islands, British

Countries I’ve Lived In

Poland, United States