I'm an easy going laid back guy that loves to go with the flow, meet new people, and share life experiences. There's not much out there that surprises me, I'm about as non-judgmental as they come. I tend to enjoy those that have a similar perspective.

I love traveling to new places and learning the local views of a city from those whom love where they live and or have traveled to.

I enjoy everything from granola and hiking to vodka/redbull clubbing through the night to good wine and deep philosophical discussions. There isn't much out there I don't enjoy or haven't tried.

My daily schedule is about as unpredictable as they come; no two days are the same.

Here is a quote Meryl Streep shared from a Portuguese philosopher that sums me up pretty well:

“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me. I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise. I do not tolerate selective erudition nor academic arrogance. I do not adjust either to popular gossiping. I hate conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and that’s why I avoid people with rigid and inflexible personalities. In friendship I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal. I do not get along with those who do not know how to give a compliment or a word of encouragement. Exaggerations bore me and I have difficulty accepting those who do not like animals. And on top of everything I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience.”

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

It seems silly for people within this community to be staying at random hotels when I have the space, time, and willingness to help them out. Why pass up the chance to be meeting and learning from others while helping them out at the same time.

I have an used fully furnished bedroom on the fourth floor of my downtown townhome. It just seems silly for it to go unused 99% of the time. Additionally, I have an extra room I use as an office very infrequently that can be leveraged as well.

Interests

Traveling, my pups (two chocolate labs), all dogs actually, puppies too, babies, kids, wandering aimlessly via foot though unknown territory, learning new cultures and traditions, hiking. biking, running (sometimes), gambling, philosophizing, the world of medicine (still regret not becoming a surgeon), not opposed to the party scene (but I also don't require it to have a good time - it just sometimes enhances things a bit), good ethnic food, the sun, my family in Indiana, my neighbors who are like my family in Chicago, my roommate (happens to be neighbor's sister) who is like my wife/best friend/sister/daughter all in one, my real daughter who is grown and married, my family in both Indiana and Austria, my local friends, Indiana friends that go as far back as grade school/high school, observing others, talking to the homeless, and a ton of other shit. It's hard for me not to find a way to enjoy just about anything. All that said, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up."

• animals
• dogs
• dining
• chocolate
• wine
• running
• partying
• clubbing
• traveling
• cycling
• hiking
• medicine
• philosophy

Music, Movies, and Books

My favorites books include anything by Malcolm Gladwell, Catcher in the Rye, Tom Sawyer, Poisonwood Bible, John Grishman stuff (yes, sad), medical thrillers, Alive, and any travel magazine you put in my hands.

My taste in music is beyond eclectic - everything from EDM to 80's love songs. When home alone, I tend to have on the singer songwriter channel or current top 40. And no, I'm not opposed to country either.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Living until today, raising a successful daughter and now being able to do the things I do and make the choices I make. I don't know how this happened.

Teach, Learn, Share

Yes. I like and I practice all three.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My travel experiences from more than 30 countries. My learnings regarding following passions in life and making it work.

Countries I’ve Visited

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands, China, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Macao, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Virgin Islands, British, Virgin Islands, U.S.

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United States