CURRENT MISSION

Going with the flow

ABOUT ME

I am curious about the world, about people, about myself. Why are things the way they are? Why do people act a certain way?

At the moment, I have focused on the study of music. I find it truly sublime that vibrations from inanimate objects can elicit emotional responses in people.

There is a phenomenon in acoustics called sympathetic vibration, where the energy of a sound causes an otherwise inert object to also vibrate if they are harmonically compatible.

I see a parallel between this and people; how the energy of one person can influence others, either positively or negatively.

I wish to understand the mechanics of this mysterious medium on both intuitive and intellectual levels so that I may be a positive force in this world.

I am many other things as well, but music is a defining focus presently.

PHILOSOPHY

I have gone through many phases from an objectivism based on hard science, to skepticism of current scientific practices, from definite atheism to a steadfast belief in the presence of divine force; a bitter cynic to chronic optimist. I am probably a bit of all of those, and more. My personal philosophy will probably always be in progress, and I am at peace with that. To sum up, I feel like I am able to switch between certain paradigms and approach something from a variety of viewpoints. At the end of the day, happiness is really all that subjectively matters. Everything else is details. I also believe in irony.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I attend some meetings, and am surfing my way around Europe. I definitely intend on hosting when I return. I want to meet as many people as possible and hear their stories. At the root of human nature lies the storyteller. All of human experience can be reduced to stories. Science, the story of what the universe is; history, the story of humanity and the world; the arts, stories of what it is to be human. There are so many people in the world one can never meet them all. Through CouchSurfing, at least I can say I tried.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have attended meetings in Vancouver, Paris and Berlin and have met some really interesting people, full of stories and ideas. I have met some amazing hosts. They are inspiring, and it is exciting to listen to these people.

Interests

I play and teach piano and guitar, with a trifle of experimentation on the saxophone. I enjoy performing, teaching, and composing.

I am interested in almost anything, but some particular favorites include martial arts, philosophy, poetry, science and science fiction, weight training and almost any aspect of physical training, yoga, psychology, the visual arts, video games, movies, spirituality, and food.

• arts
• poetry
• causes
• dining
• exercise
• yoga
• movies
• video games
• music
• guitar
• piano
• surfing
• skydiving
• martial arts
• history
• psychology
• science
• visual arts

Music, Movies, and Books

I have a classical music background, but currently am involved in jazz and blues as of late. I enjoy all sorts of music and try to keep an open mind and ear. Some samples include Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen (NHOP), Wes Montgomery, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Parker, Joe Pass, Duke Ellington, SRV, Pantera, Joe Satriani, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Metallica, Slayer, White Zombie, Rob Zombie, J.S. Bach, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Rachmaninoff.

Some authors I like are Terry Pratchett, Frank Herbert (The Dune series), Tolkien, Patrick Rothfuss, Robert Jordan, and R.A. Salvatore. Some of the classics I particularly liked are the Odyssey and Paradise Lost.

One of the most important books I've read is Effortless Mastery by Kenny Werner. Of particular interest to musicians.

Some moviemakers (directors/writers/actors) I enjoy are Luc Besson, Kevin Spacey, Mel Gibson, Hugh Laurie, Robert De Niro, Edward Norton, Ellen Page, Olivia Wilde, Shia Leboeuf, Rie Rasmussen, Elizabeth Banks, Seth Rogen, Ryan Reynolds, Pierre Morel, Summer Glau, Joss Whedon, Nathan Filion, Ben Kingsley, Tea Leoni. I'm going to stop there because this list could probably go on for a while longer.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went skydiving from 12 500 ft at an airport near where I live. It allowed me to see where I live in a whole new light, and to realize how small everything is from way up there.

I have also hitchhiked from Toulouse to Paris, which is an interesting experience as well.

Teach, Learn, Share

I am able to teach guitar and piano, as well as English, some French, some martial arts, and a thing or two about physical exercise, among other topics. I am just as interested in learning more about these topics, as well as the very nature of learning and memory.

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