Just a city planner with a general interest in seeing the world. I come from the US and have been living in Norway since 2017.

About me:

One of my guiding principles is that wealth for its own sake and having things primarily for status is actually gross. Though I don't disparage wanting nice things that you'll actually appreciate and think that is ok. If you're a huge Tesla fan, go for it. Participating in the attention economy (aka social media) contributes to a global toxicity because it traps too many people into a habit of receiving external validation and does so without any moderation. I've met many people since moving here, who are in such a beautiful place, prioritizing how their insta pics will look and getting actually mad if nobody helps them with their social media. Kinda loco tbh.

I think reading books is lowkey a waste of a lifespan when we could be out having adventures and taking risks but, nonetheless,... I believe it's our personal responsibility to understand people and to be sympathetic and caring toward each other (lest we continue to vote Republicans into power!). Books are the best teachers of perspective! - So I read a fair bit. Current favorite authors are Taleb and Chomsky because they see the world in such clear ways that are less impacted by the mythos of globalized, 21st century Westernization.

Sometimes I get this feeling that I've spent a lot of time lately in my routines and I haven't ventured out in the world in too long. So, I like to go to a new city and hit the streets with my urban planner eyeballs. I absorb as much local history as possible via walking tours and then I wander on my own. I sit in the parks or take a coffee and try to check out how your city functions. What lessons can I learn? There are always idiosyncrasies in each place that aren't found in many others. Living in Europe as an American with an urbanist education gives me a rare degree of insight and I would be taking this for granted if I don't learn as much as I can while I have the ability to travel around, with so many different cities around me. A lot of urban features and forms play invisible roles in our working, social, romantic, recreational, and outdoor lives.

I deeply appreciate originality, uncommon things, excellence in random things, and try to see beauty in the small details. Things like how in the south of France, flowers grow in so many of the farmer's ditches. In Barcelona, the octagonal intersections make perfect parking for motorcycles and scooters. In Oslo, some street lamps cast playful designs on the sidewalks to help us through the dark winters. I appreciate street musicians. They are underrated and seen too often as vagrants but they breathe extra life into our plazas. So on and so on. I am mostly in love with traveling thanks to these lessons.

If I'm hosting, don't bother trying to please me. We are at your service. You can come and borrow our couch, fridge, etc. and go tour the city without worry about spending more on a hotel or hostel. You don't need to bring a gift or entertain us. Don't worry yourself with making great conversation. Just do your thing and have fun. You just have to be nice to the cat. He's super gentle and his name is Bunbun.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

If i'm requesting a stay, then i'm just exploring your city for a few days. Locals are the most valuable part of every experience. I have many places still to visit and feel like couchsurfing is the best anti-capitalist solution out there.

Interests

• dogs
• dancing
• clubbing
• politics
• video games
• traveling
• socializing
• karaoke
• sustainability
• reading books
• jogging
• exploring
• learning
• netflix
• calisthenics
• weightlifting
• urban farming
• urban design
• taking walks

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I saw a cat walking on two legs

Teach, Learn, Share

I guess.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I don't claim to breeze into your home and provide the best social experience of your life but I'm pretty chill and out of the way, try to be pleasant and considerate, and I want you to enjoy hosting me.

Couchsurfing is of course a social contract and I don't primarily use it to get to know people, but rather as a form of activism against the unreasonable tourism costs that gatekeep the young and poor. I try to host more than I visit so that I sort of earn the social karma to participate in this.

My plan will most likely be to stay out in the city 9am-8pm (sometimes into the night) doing various things like history tours and sightseeing. European cities are so full of wonderful things that I won't have time to just hang out at your house. However, it would be super cool to do those things together if you're into that!

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Hong Kong, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden

Countries I’ve Lived In

Norway, United States