CURRENT MISSION

Committed Intention

I am now back in the states and deciding on the next city to put my roots in - suggestions welcome! Looking for a place that includes:

1. Thriving theatre and film communities
2. Cultural activity that is easily accessible (art, events, major and minor)
3. WALKABLE (big point - I hate driving) and/or amazing public transportation
4. Seasons! (Coming from 5 years in LA, I'm so in need of rain and seasons)
5. Relatively inexpensive (again, coming from pay $700 a month for a box in a bad area in LA, this is relative)
6. Major city (usually what includes all of the above)
7. Not LA or New York or Chicago (I don't think I'm up for the big three anymore - I want some place a little quieter and smaller pond, but not itty bitty - see #6)

If you know of a place, or want to have me at yours, let me know!

ABOUT ME

Actor. I prefer working in theatre but I take it all, and don't mind wearing other hats when necessary. I like to think I'm decently travelled, read, and experienced to make for an interesting conversation - and a bundle of good anecdotes to share with friends. I mix my metaphors - and I *do* love a good metaphor - and am a font of random (but I think useful!) knowledge. Caution: can be a know-it-all. Comes from love of knowledge, not wanting to be superior or condescending. Sometimes I think I'm not all that intelligent, just a really well-curated box of accidentally diverse knowledge. Like human google, but with limited information!

PHILOSOPHY

My life's focus is the arts, and I want to share why. In the same way that a doctor (I would hope) sees their work as helping people, and that is how they do it, that's how I feel about the arts. I think there is a power in it to show us ourselves and others as we truly are - parts of ourselves that we might not even realize anyone else knows about. In recognizing that someone else out there understands or has gone through the same experience, we can change or embrace ourselves and others in a more kind and honest way - from the safe distance of fiction, or of a painting. We could remind the world that the arts are vital to life, not an indulgence. That a doctor might make sure the body survives, but without the soul living too, what's the point? This showing and recognition, this evolution and person, is a vital part of life, and a beautiful way to grow as human beings. I want that to be my contribution to the world. It's as a good a purpose for life as I can think of.

I'm in a constant journey of deepening the practice of what I preach, and in sharing of that through art. What medium, capacity, and location is always something I up for shifting.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Some of the best people I've ever met has been through couchsurfing. I'm on here to meet new people and continue to use it - I can't imagine if my trips had been in hotels or hostels. I have had unique experiences and made friends for life through it, and even though I use it less for travel now, it is a community with core ideals I ascribe to, and to which I wish to continue to stay connected as it evolves.

Also, being a solo-traveller, female, and a lesbian, it's been, in my experience, the most accepting and safe way to travel.

Interests

The creation of a perfect day, emotional intelligence, and loving the world (because it's so easy to hate and I do it a lot, but loving is a lot, lot better and so satisfying and feels so good). Communicating and giving people access to their own perhaps unknown selves and freedom, through the art I make/participate it/support/collaborate one.

A Perfect Day

Wake up early, gray or just after sunrise. Kiss my wife and let her sleep.

Stretch, do some yoga.

Take a nice shower, and dress in a way that makes me feel like me. Read the paper or a script or a book and sip on some coffee or tea. Walk to wherever I'm going that day.

Theatre, film, fencing, martial arts - whatever is contributing to the project I'm currently working on.

Get lunch, sometimes with friends, sometimes with colleagues, sometimes alone.

Get back to making.

Dinner, at home or a night out with friends, retire at an hour that makes me feel good about myself. Have the evening with my wife, talk about what we created. Maybe we were creating the same thing that day!

Tumble into bed. Rinse, repeat. Days I am not working, stay in and relax, or out and DO THINGS.

See the world this way. Be happy forever. Maybe take holidays, but who needs a holiday from a life like that? Not often, anyway.

• arts
• books
• poetry
• acting
• dining
• cooking
• coffee
• yoga
• coach
• drinking
• traveling
• painting
• fencing
• boxing
• martial arts
• medicine

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: This Is Not For You (Jane Rule), Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling), Letters to a Young Poet (Rainer Rilke), Notes from a Small Island (Bill Bryson), Franny & Zooey (J.D. Salinger), The Hours (Michael Cunningham), Shakespeare, The Art of Asking (Amanda Palmer), Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, The Desire Map & The Fire Starter Sessions (Danielle LaPorte).

Music: Bach, Bear McCreary (his music *made* Battlestar Galactica), Marina and the Diamonds, Amanda Palmer, Muse.

Movies: Clouds of Sils Maria, I've Loved You So Long, Love Actually, Harry Potter, Secretary, Love My Life, Stranger Than Fiction, Coraline, and TWIIILLIIIIIGGGHHHTTTTTTTomgteamedwardforEVSnojokes (but seriously. just kidding. about the team edward thing. not twilight. We all have our vices.)

Shows: OUAT (yes, I'm aware how bad it can be), Wentworth, Orphan Black (took me awhile but they've got me now, dammit), and currently watching Lost Girl slowly but surely because I'm not allowed to be a lesbian nerd without it.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Riding for three hours on a houseboat with people I, and my friends, randomly met, travelling the canals of London. It was sunny and incredible, sharing stories and food, drink and laughter. Everything I could ask for from life.

Teach, Learn, Share

Aside from the obvious (theatre!), I spent the last three years learning about emotional intelligence and becoming a (I endeavor to be competent and compassionate) coach, with some spiritual and women's-specific trainings thrown in. If that's your jam, it's something I'm passionate about and love to share. Also dig The Desire Map and most things Danielle LaPorte, that sexy mama.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Incredible stories, conversation, and I like to think I'm becoming a really deep listener and I'm always happy to practice. I am also getting pretty fair at cooking a decent meal if I'm able to get certain ingredients :)

I can also write you poems, but you only get them when I leave <3

Countries I’ve Visited

England, France, Netherlands, Scotland

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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