CURRENT MISSION

What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

ABOUT ME

Just when I think I got it all figured out, I realize how little I actually understand the world...
The last couple of years have been about getting to know myself - the good sides and the crappy ones - and to know the world - ditto.
An avid computer guy (but not quite to the level of a computer geek, or so I'd like to believe), I'm kind of a logical structured-thought human being, but maybe because of that, in a constant journey to break my own limits. As much as I like programming, I like teaching and helping people. Oh, and also languages - I'm a bit of a linguist, which takes a great part in my interest in cultures and people around the world. And it's all about people, isn't it?

PHILOSOPHY

It's all about experiencing, and the more the better. Only that way you can learn more about yourself and about the world.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Had an amazing surfing across the US, which motivated me to host and surf more in the future.

Interests

* Computers - all about them, especially programming, and in that - especially python. As I mentioned in a previous section, not quite your average computer geek (not a gamer, for instance, never had a smartphone until recently), but still know my way around a compiler.
* Language & Translation - I love knowing stuff about language (word etymology, syntax, collocations, discourse), as well as the art of translation - how difficult it is to take a text from one language, one culture, one context, and create a brand new one, in a different language, culture and context, that would stir the same reactions, thoughts and emotions as the origin. Is that even possible?
* Teaching and guiding - every chance I get to share information, and do it in a way that suits the other's way of comprehension and learning, I'd jump at the opportunity. Yes, it's a bit condescending, but it's not like I don't have more stuff to learn (oh, but I do...). I just solemnly believe that knowledge is power, and it's one of those things that you have, that as much you give to others, you never lose a fraction. Another thing that follows this rule, by the way, is smiling.
* Natural Language Processing - basically, the science of how computers understand human language (like English). Can be used for an infinite variety of applications, such as automatic translation, which could spread knowledge more efficiently to all parts if the world, especially those who are currently in nobody's interest to deliver this information (did someone say Africa?). So if you survived this entire speech and got to here, you're probably asking yourself - wait, this guy's cheating! That's just a combination of all his other interests! Well, my friends, you bet it is.

• culture
• singing
• japanese food
• politics
• etymology
• history
• languages
• science
• conversation
• japan
• musicals
• japanese culture
• translation
• navigation
• disney
• tokyo

Music, Movies, and Books

* Books - sorry not much of a book guy, although after numerous semi-successful attempts. But to mention a few - books by Dan Brown, Harry Potter, A Brief History of Time, Ender's game, The hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy.
* Music - mostly classic rock and its surroundings - The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Oasis, Coldplay. When Roger Waters came for a performance in Israel - that was unbelievable...
* Movies - some of my all time favorites - Monty Python's Holy Grail, The Truman Show, encounters of the 4th kind, South Park, and so many more that I embarrassingly can't recall right now.

Teach, Learn, Share

* Computers - from using PowerPoint to the implementation of complex network protocols.
* Hebrew \ English
* Israel - history, politics, and the conflict with the palastenians

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Israel, United States

•