I could say so much, but I assume you do not want a novel.

As you can see from my educational background, I have a well rounded liberal arts education. I have studied sciences and initially began my Ph.D studies in Behavioral Neuroscience. Unfortunately, I was not able to continue on that path, so I began studying literature, as I had already had interest and background in literature, theory, criticism, and philosophy as well.

My area of study is romanticism (late-18th century through 19th century German, British, and American), and I focus on the darker aspects thereof. Themes like romantic agony and the gothic, particularly the inner relationship of the romantic protagonist between reason and imagination. Of course that means I am versed and interested in literature and philosophy of the Enlightenment as well.

I enjoy "high" art, but I also enjoy independent art. I am, however, no fan of pop culture. I listen to almost all genres of music but am personally more into heavy metal sorts and rock. Stringed instruments are a love of mine, yet I have not carved out the time to learn to play the guitar I bought over a decade ago.

I am friendly and aloof if that makes sense. I value small groups or one on one engagements, as opposed to larger gatherings. I am very open about myself and like to hear the experiences of others also.

I am the proud mom of a beautiful six year old pittie. She is my best friend, cuddle buddy, and sports partner. I also have two pythons: Adam and Eve.

I enjoy hiking and am rather athletic. I have spent years lifting weights and training in MMA and combat. I have recently taken up running due to a leg injury. I am not an avid runner and do not like the sport though. No matter what, I remain a softie for delicious baked goods and I have weaknesses for good beer, whiskey, and wine.

Politically I am complicted. I am the combination of a libertarian and a social democrat. It really isn't the paradox it seems. I tend to lean centrist and avoid extremes though. Given my background in philosophical study, I tend to place emphasis on reason and the good of the whole. I have friends across the spectrum and have no problem discussing and debating political perspectives, but I respect that we are all approaching the world through our own experiences, so we have to be willing to listen not only to debate, but to understand and grow.

As for religion, I am Pagan. I once identified as Christian and spent much of my life between Lutheranism and Evangelical beliefs. I have since returned to the origins, yet like politics, I respect that we all must develop our own way. I do find that there is inherent literary, philosophical, and moral value in every religious text I have read, from the Gita to the Q'uran. I support the idea of a secular society for the sake of cohesion and simultaneously believe that people should personally preserve aspects of their cultures like religion, language, myth, dress, and observations in their private sphere. All cultures have their value and beauty.

I guess I have written a novel.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am on Couchsurfing because I travel, and a friend in Berlin, my present host, remided me to complete my profile so that I can partake in this experience. I have only recently used AirB&B. I have been in Germany since 25 April 2019 and I spent a week in Hamburg, two and a half months in Leipzig, two weeks in Berlin, and I am heading to London for a week, Manchester for a week, and back to Hamburg for a day. When explaining my travels tohim, he asked why I am not using couch surfing and my response is: "I started a profile some time ago and never completed it". He highly recommends couch surfing, as he says it is used by more personal and friendly people who are more apt to chat and engage with guests, like him. So, here I am. I also have a spare bedroom that I can set up for the service as well.

Interests

I think I have said about all I could say about my interests. Anything beyond might be a bore. Okay, I will bore you.

I am interested in psychoanalysis and psychoanalytical literary interpretations, particularly of René Girard, Jacques Lacan, and Julia Kristeva.

I enjoy reading Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze (VERY MUCH), Jean Paul Sartre, Martin Heidegger, Walter Benjamin, Paul de Man, and Hannah Arendt. It is a very frustrating relationship that we all have together.

I also enjoy reading Hobbes, Rousseau, and Kant and the German Idealists and Transcendental Idealists. I need to spend more time with Fichte and Hegel.

I intend to write a screenplay of a very... taboo literary text and create the most disturbing horror film that has been made. I see it a blend of Trier and Rob Zombie. First I need to complete my dissertation.

I have done some translation of Karoline von Günderrode's writing.

• arts
• literature
• poetry
• film making
• music festivals
• running
• traveling
• music
• industrial music
• opera
• languages
• philosophy
• psychology
• language exchange
• art
• films
• film
• heavy metal
• romanticism
• antiques
• languages and cultures
• weightlifting
• independent films
• philosophie
• critical thinking
• creative writing
• hiking in nature
• psychoanalysis
• neuropsychology
• anti-capitalism
• anti-racism
• romantic music
• musical theatre
• rock and roll
• kunst
• creative thinking
• academic writing
• academia
• neurobiology
• neurosciences
• academics
• philosophical conversations
• antifascism
• anticapitalism
• critical theory
• hiking in the mountains
• arts and culture
• horror films
• oper
• kunst und kultur

Music, Movies, and Books

My favorite books are many: I have not completed it, as I do not have time. However, one of the best literary works I have ever engaged is Marcel Proust's "In Search of Lost Time". If you have time, I recommend engaging it.

Of the texts that I have read, I think one of my favorites is Ludwig Tieck's "Blonde Eckbert". I am working with August Klingemann's "Die Nachtwachen des Bonaventura" amongst others now. I enjoy "Die Judenbuche" by Annette v. Droste-Hülshoff. For me, Schlegel's "Athenaeum" and "Lyceum" fragments are proverbs. I am a Poe fan and Lovecraft. "Wuthering Heights" is also one I enjoy.

My favorite films are: Brecht's "Kuhle Wampe", Lang's "Metropolis", Pink Floyd's "The Wall", Trier's "Antichrist" (Really the entire "Depression" trilogy and what is completed from his "Land of Opportunities". One of the most intense films I have seen is Aronofsky's "Mother" (I am not comparing that with films such as "A Serbian Film" or "Sàlo"). I cannot leave out Rob Zombie's "House of 1,000 Corpses" and several of his other films. Mara Mattuschka is probably one of my favorite independent film makers and Christian Petzold is one of my favorite contemporary film makers.

I do not do television, but on Netflix, I find the series "Dark" compelling.

Music, let's see. I have been on stage in Syracuse 2017 with Marilyn Manson for the Beautiful People. I really like him. I am a Slipknot fan. I'd love to see Rammstein here in Germany, but they're aleady sold out for 2020. I enjoy Celtic and Norse music. I recently went to see a performance of Wagner's "Parzifal" in Hamburg and performances of Bach and Mendelsohn at Thomaskirche for Bachfest. Then there are times I want to hear Erykah Badu or the Marley's. I work out frequently to Metallica's "And Jutice for All", "Battery", and "Black" and might cool down to the Stones, Zeppelin, Skynyrd, Creedence, or something else. I pump up to FFDP often too. I am all over the place. It makes life better. I would really enjoy seeing Ed Sheeran (I had a ticket to see him in Hockenheim, but the travel was too far.), the Peasall Sisters, or Norah Jones. I enjoyed Alison Krauss and Willie Nelson, and I also enjoy listening to the Persian music that my host is playing.

I like what I can feel. Music, like all art, should appeal to your highest faculties and it should touch your soul.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I JUST published my first academic article with Walter de Gruyter. It is technically a chapter called "Romantic Anti-Idealism and Reëvaluations of Gender: Schlegel, Günderrode and Literary Gender Politics" and the book is titled "Anti/Idealism".

However, I am most proud that I raised a child, challenging as it may have been, while starting college at twenty-eight. I raised him alone with minimal help from anyone, and as much as we struggled, I was able to slowly give us a better life. I acquired three degrees, all with distinguishing marks and high honors. I completed an honors thesis, and I never quit, even when I failed, even when it hurt, even when it still hurts.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach is what I do. I do not know what to put here. I do look forward to learning and growing through my interactions. I am pretty much an open book.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my support and kindness.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States