CURRENT MISSION

Driving my art project, Ophelia's Change of Heart, across the continental US in search of good souls. The hope is to connect with people and players of games; game changers and dreamers of dreams. Together we can build a new story for our time - one full of redemption, determination, and hope for the future.

ABOUT ME

After ten years in the game industry, I'm taking a year sabbatical to create works of heart (courage) and connection. I'm looking for driveways, property, dirt roads, or paved lots where I can park my little bus while visiting new destinations.

She's 21 ft long, 10 1/2 feet high and 8 feet wide. Her name is Ophelia's Change of Heart, because really, don't you think Ophelia should have left Denmark on a grand adventure rather than throwing herself into the sea? I do.

As a guest I try to uphold my belief that people should be kind, nonjudgemental, alive, bold, mellow, adventurous, curious, and respectful.

If I told you about myself in song titles they'd probably be Git Up, Get Out and Do Somethin'; Hello Bonjour; Living in Love; Remember the Name; and Rock the Boat (only because I'd rather say it with funk than Sailing by Christopher Cross).

PHILOSOPHY

Be kind and true.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

You need a couch, let me know. If you've got a couch, let me know.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I was couch surfing before there was a site for it. I wouldn't have gone to Kenya if there wasn't a friend of a friend with a couch, or London or Tokyo. I've slept in my car on Huntington Beach and Sand Point, ID. And slept on the ground in too many places. Most often these days, I find myself on a couch in B-Ham WA, but not often enough since I couldn't ski this winter.

visited 23 states (46%)Create your own visited map of The United States or another interesting project

Interests

One of the nicest things anyone ever said to me was that I was a gamer. Not that I play games (which I do), but that I'll drop everything to go off on an adventure.

Just did a sailboat delivery with 48 hour notice with some friends of mine. When I went to Prague, it was about the same notice. I lost what I thought was my dream job, went to dinner that night with a friend of a friend, and three days later found myself on a train bound for Province Town (via Boston) to live with him on a snowy beach for 6 weeks. If it's with good people, and is a sweet and easy, spontaneous ride, I'm there.

• dogs
• arts
• clubbing
• boating
• guitar
• surfing
• sailing
• skiing
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Yes. Many. Seriously. I have over 10,000 songs on my iPod. Most recent purchases: Adele, LMFAO; Janelle Monae, The Head and the Heart, the Heavy, Broken Social Scene, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. But then I also have every song Tom Wait's has ever recorded, several Leonard Cohen tribute albums, and over 490 jazz tracks from the Bebop era when they were raw and true. I have Alice in Chains and Ozzy and AC/DC. I have Lords of Acid and Chemical Brothers. Hell. I even have some old time Hank Williams (not Jr. Junior is cray-cray).

Basically, I'm an artist, and I'm inspired by people who make things. Why pick and chose, when our souls are full of grit and guile and majesty?

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

There's a ten year old boy who busks with his guitar at my local farmer's market. I once watched my dog climb the 6ft high fence in our backyard . . and leap it. I've thrown an m&m the length of my table and had a friend catch it in her mouth.

And I've seen old gods, temples, monuments, heads of state, living saints, lost souls, dazzling talent, perfect sunrises, summited peaks, surprised a bear, gotten lost in Paris, snuck into clubs, fallen in love, lived in the moment, dreamed new dreams and seen them come true. We're all pretty amazing.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'd like to think I've learned things worth knowing. I've lived many places, met many people, and written my own story. I've kept my eyes, ears and heart open. I've been wrong more than I've been right, and that has taught me more than being right ever will. If we meet, we talk, we listen; we'll learn.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My heart, my ears, my culinary skills, and my craftsmanship.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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