CURRENT MISSION
Testing the waters. Eager to engage with others, sharing ideas, and experiences. I enjoy creative problem solving with others, leading to bridge building & creating viable solutions.

ABOUT ME
I’m a working artist. I began telling stories with images as a child, and it's still with me. I lean into narrative figurative work as a painter, printmaker, and photographer. I also love to ponder open spaces. I cherish opportunities to photograph performing artists, dancers, musicians, and circus people, (Cirque du Capao, BZ), especially during their process of creating work.

Background
My parents were committed activists in the 1930’s. Despite the very real risks, they, along with thousands of others were involved in union organizing, civil rights, and anti-fascist work, domestically and abroad. I learned a lot of history that was never mentioned in school. I am fascinated with this time period, and with the lives people like Paul Robeson, among many others.

I grew up during the 50’s, in Queens, NY, in a working-class area, alongside many post WW2 survivor-immigrants. In 1954, my dad’s cousin in Cost ‘Backpackers’ had not been invented yet. I’m a 9 year old kid from Queens and suddenly living in a completely different world. It wasn’t unusual to see oxcarts on the streets of San Jose. I was taken to the vast Mercado Central, which is still there, and before me were dozens of overflowing bins containing every fruit under the sun, a riot of color, sounds, and smells. Every day became an adventure. I loved it all. That was my introduction to living in other cultures.

PHILOSOPHY
Remaining curious, keeping an open mind, being respectful of others, sharing open, honest communication. Not interested in any dogma/credos set in cement. Keeping it real by remaining open-hearted, and you can't go too far wrong.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have welcomed travelers when possible. I look forward to breaking bread together, swapping travel experiences, and learning about their lives. I’m happy to help travelers explore the Bay area. Tell me how I can help make your travels better.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE
While in SE Asia, I was welcomed to CS by some wonderful folks. There was an NGO ex-pat, and restaurant reviewer, in Bangkok; and an African ‘Prince’ from Kenya, who supported himself as an itinerant teacher near Siem Reap, Cambodia. In Oakland, I hosted and was hosted in return by a fellah from Mendocino Co, who had a very gifted green thumb. Thank you guys.
I try to pass that spirit of generosity on by hosting at my place whenever I can.

Interests

Meeting interesting people. reading, gardening, cooking, and building things with found materials. Experiencing live music, dance, theater, & film.
At the top of the list: While car/tent camping in SE Utah, the land of amazing red sandstone formations, I met unique local white guy, dressed as a Yaqui Indian, who knew just about everything about the desert, and the native cultures that had lived there. He introduced me to his dear friend, H, a singer/songwriter, who lived out of town in a yurt. She and I collaborated to produce an unscripted performance video, that we shot in a slit canyon cave, using my hand-held headlamp for lighting. This was a first for me and it turned out quite well.
The next day, I stopped by for coffee, to review the video. We ended up shooting stills for the entire day, resulting in an intimate, collaborative portrait of a poet who, after many trials, gained her sense of place in the world, by finding her own voice. Nothing tops these rare types of experiences.

Music, Movies, and Books

Listening ....Miles to Monk to Coletrane to Toots, to Nina, to Stevie, to The Band, to Roberto Zimmerman to Waites to Joni, to The Five Blind Boys of Alabama....to Ceu, to Egberto Gizmonte. Ahmjad Ali Khan. So many. The novel, SNOW. Marty Duberman's bio of Paul Robeson, the pieces in Freedomways magazine, edited by Esther Cooper Jackson, everything by Vonnegut, The Girl Who Gets A Kick Out of Kicking Beehives series, USA by dos Pasos.
I see a lot of film.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Just one?
Most amazing, no question... assisting at the home birth of my kids.
That changed everything.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love this statement..it is about exchanging, bridge-building, and helping one another.

What I Can Share with Hosts

You'll find me to be welcoming, available to help, and who will be curious about who you are and where you're heading.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belize, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua

Countries I’ve Lived In

Costa Rica, Mexico, United States