ABOUT ME

I'm basically a simple fellow with a few fancy flourishes. My lifestyle is moderately low-key. I like having a nice computer, some decent musical instruments, and a kitchen full of fine cooking implements, but otherwise, I don't collect stuff and am not too focused on material acquisitions.

I really like nice clothes, but my aversion to shopping for them wins out, so I'll probably appear shabby at best, and plain and un-stylish at worst. Except for my eyeglasses--since my eyes are windows to my black, black soul, they require a nice treatment.

In terms of career, I am (senselessly) interested only in pursuits that help other people, mostly government/non-profit stuff. Currently I work as a bicycling advocate, with a focus on bicycle parking in Chicago. The future undoubtedly holds other opportunities for good work.

I don't own a car, and I'm a utilitarian/commuter bicyclist. I don't generally ride bikes for fun, but I'll do it (and enjoy it) in order to spend time with cool people and/or get to some sort of food provider.

I like cats. They taste almost as good as children. Actually, I do have cats, but don't read too much into it: I like dogs just as much, I just don't have the time to properly care for them.

PHILOSOPHY

I guess I'd like to leave the world a better place than I found it. I think that's what drives my career and education choices.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

To be honest, I just signed up and started my couch surfing journey after a friend and former colleague related all his exciting experiences with it. So I guess I'll add more here later as I gain more experience!

Interests

I'm really interested in foodways and food culture, and of course cooking and eating. When I travel, exploring the local food is usually at or near the top of my list.

I'm a musician, playing violin and viola. I play in a couple bands in Chicago off and on, and also periodically in local theatrical productions. I fiddle around with music composition and arranging on my own from time to time.

I'm a writer, with a focus on fiction--though I've yet to publish anything!

My work in the bicycling and pedestrian advocacy community reflects my values regarding transportation policy and planning in the United States, which is sadly behind the times.

I suppose I could be considered a leading national expert in bicycle parking, as I run one of the largest and most successful bicycle parking programs in the United States. Somehow that boast sounds a bit like being a leading national expert in paper clip design or something, but hey, at least I get to be an expert in *something* besides eating.

• cats
• dogs
• culture
• writing
• design
• education
• dining
• cooking
• running
• shopping
• clothing
• traveling
• music
• violin
• surfing
• teaching

Music, Movies, and Books

I seem to enjoy science fiction, suspenseful, fantasy, and supernatural/scary movies and books, books about food, and basically any kind of awesome music. I'm really super NOT-pretentious about literature/film/music. I'm not really too impressed with laundry lists of Literature-with-a-capital-L, and such.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, France, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States