CURRENT MISSION

узнай россию! (второй раз...)

ABOUT ME

I'm a young man who's very interested in both superficial, hedonistic fun, and nattering about politics and 'serious' stuff. I like: interesting discussion; silliness and seriousness in their turns or, even better, simultaneously; music; literature; history; Russia and her language! I've spent a great deal of my childhood reading about Russia in books, now as an adult I'm studying it academically, living in it periodically, and learning a great deal about it, more, of course, from the latter than the former!

PHILOSOPHY

mmm not clever enough to think of my own thing, and of course opinion changes often, but to steal some quotes from others:

"Happiness is a how; not a what. A talent, not an object."
"As a body everyone is single, as a soul never."
"A kindness outside any system of social or religious good…If we think about it, we realize that this private, senseless, incidental kindness is in fact eternal…extended to every living thing, even to a mouse, even to a bent branch that a man straightens as he walks by."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've surfed a few times, but thus far never hosted. I need to rectify this situation, and at some point will be happy to host, but I live in a small flat with little spare bedding so my hospitality will be moral rather than material...

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

A few times now, mainly in Russia but also in Europe. Always prefered it to staying in hostels, much much prefered; it's so much more social and, ultimately, fun!

Interests

All the above!

• books
• literature
• cooking
• politics
• reading
• music
• history

Music, Movies, and Books

Classical Music: All the German Classical greats, but not too Romantic, I don't believe in unecessary self-indulgence (I wrote that line a couple of years ago and realise that it was a lie. I do sometimes believe in unecessary self-indulgence. I don't however believe in overly Romantic music. Choose another indulgence) Favourite Russian composers: Shostakovich and Stravinsky.

Cool interesting contemporary music, electronic, ambient, jazz, indie.

Books: Loads! Have read many novels, including many Russian novels in translation. Really want to read them in the original.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Certainly the most amazing thing that happened to me was the culmination of years and years of reading and thinking and feeling finally allowing me to break through typical British cynicism and finally learn to love. This moment was an eternity in my life. xx (Again I wrote that a few years ago, find it embarassingly naive now, yet I refuse to retract. Still believe it :))

Teach, Learn, Share

I like music and cooking, and am happy to share said knowledge! Of course, I am a native speaker of English and am happy to help with English language questions!

Countries I’ve Visited

Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Russian Federation, United Kingdom