CURRENT MISSION

Chasing the White Rabbit

ABOUT ME

I'm a graduate student from the University of Colorado Denver who's just trying to figure out what comes next. I currently work in app development and am taking two weeks to explore the world, this time in Eastern Europe (I've recently returned from South Korea).

My goal the summer of 2011 (my first time ever out of the US) was to travel from England to France, bike to Belgium and up into Holland, find a way into the Basque country and WWOOF for two weeks. Following that I am planning on attending a conference on economic institutions at the University of San Paulo in Madrid. Finishing off, I'd like to watch a soccer match in Italy and fly home when I run out of money.

Those things didn't happen. When I went to buy a bike it turned out that with a 50 lb pack on my back I couldn't balance. Still I was able to go to Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy and France through the kindness of strangers. Nothing ever works out like you plan, and sometimes that is completely okay.

PHILOSOPHY

Hard to say. I know my desired philosophy though, even if I don't always follow it. "Don't take life too seriously. No one gets out alive."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I traveled for two months in 2011 and never meet anyone who wasn't absolutely fantastic, save perhaps the mugger in Italy, but I would doubt he is on couch surfing. I sit and I wonder sometimes where the crazy people are, but I guess they just don't use CS. I recommend this site to anyone who will listen.

Now here I am, 4 years later, thinking back on those experiences. I'd love the opportunity to create a couple more. The people here are a different breed, and I love it.

Interests

I've tried my hand at any number of sports in my life (football, soccer, baseball, basketball... it goes on). I just welcome any opportunity to get out and run around. Unfortunately, since I've been moving around like crazy I haven't had time to play since I got crushed by a couple kids (aged 9 and 11) at basketball in South Korea and, put simply, I need my dignity back!

• culture
• beer
• running
• flying
• traveling
• cycling
• surfing
• scuba diving
• sports
• baseball
• basketball
• soccer
• track and field
• wwoof

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies - It's difficult to say what movies I like, as many of the ones I used to love might bore me if I were to re-watch them today. Instead I'll name a couple of movies I have recently seen, and the effect they've had on me.
'Requiem for a Dream', upon completion, left me feeling utterly upset, as the images and life choices portrayed in the film were so guttural by nature that anyone with a heart would feel upset watching Ellen Burstyn's self destruction.
To contrast that the French film 'Amelie' has continued to grow on me since I watched it. From the onset the director portrayed the characters in a goofy light, introducing each by their little neuroses. The conclusion is typical of romantic comedies, where the girl realizes she needs to take care of herself, after spending the length of the movie looking after those around her. Loved it.

Music - I'll give anything a chance. I've got no musical talent, but I've found that I prefer songs with a rhythmic noise in the background that I can expect every few seconds. Little victories. Throw out some Korean Pop music, I'm happy. Big Green Tractor country music, wingo man. Alternative rock where the singer reiterates his affection for his significant other for 2 minutes straight, loves it.

Books - I understand that scholars think Earnest Hemingway was one of the great writers of the 21st century, but after being forced to read 'A Farewell to Arms' in high school his writing has never appealed to me. Kurt Vonnegut, on the other hand, now there's a writer I can get behind. Throw in various poorly worded blog posts, half-baked user comments on Reddit, sports writer's musings, sci-fi books rewriting history, and I'm a happy man.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

May 17th 2011- Call me sheltered or boring but I am having difficulty thinking of anything "amazing" at the moment. The hope is that by meeting new people and experiencing some culture shock that might change.

July 21st 2011- I've done more memorable things in the past 2 months than I have in the past 2 years at University. I've hitchhiked through Belgium, drank beer brewed by monks in Bruges, I went cliff diving in Limoges France, I visited Leonardo da Vinci's grave, seen military bunkers on the North sea shore, found attraction in unforeseen places, helped a one armed man break up a bum fight in Amsterdam, had my preconceptions of homosexuality shattered, drove 135 mph on the freeway. I could go on. My 2011 Eurotrip was exactly what I needed to get my life on track.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, South Korea, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States