CURRENT MISSION

To be the good those that love me see in me

ABOUT ME

Hello. My name is Ash and I am a post-grad student in the North of England studying Creative Writing.

I cannot help wanting to know everything, I have a completely unquenchable thirst for knowledge. I know I have so much to see and hear and smell and taste in this world and it makes me humble. Mostly I just want to experience people, because mostly they are completely fascinating and ever-changing and endlessly loving. I want to meet YOU.

I really enjoy people's facial expressions. There are always one or two that only that person can make, and I love seeing those. It's part of who someone is.

When I hear or have a great idea, my eyes start to water. Not a lot of people know that. It's because I get overwhelmed by possibilities. I love that feeling, that jump in my heart when I know something good is going to happen.

I am very good at silence. I am not afraid to sit in silence with another person, it gives you a chance to absorb them and the atmosphere. I would rather sit and talk when there's something to say, then talk for the sake of it. I am a chatterbox too, of course. If you feel an awkward silence with me, I apologise!

I'll probably notice more than you give me credit for.

I soundtrack my life.

I like wearing shorts and no shoes.

I am completely crazy about music and languages and life's archaisms.

I no longer shop in supermarkets.

PHILOSOPHY

People are the point.

All of the beautiful, funny, sad, memorable, breathtaking, tragic, interesting, love-filled moments in my life have happened because someone made them happen.

If we do not have each other, we have nothing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

At the moment, I host, I surf, I go to meetings and I try to help out people coming to the UK, even if they can't make it down to see me.

I also find people who I know would enjoy CS and tell them about it.

Things to expect if you couchsurf with me:

1) I will make you jump. I don't mean I'll scare you, I mean I'll take you to a high place and make you jump in the air for a photograph. This is non-negotiable.

2) If we get on, I'll want to hug you. I'll respect your personal space but you should know, I love a good hug.

3) I'll play music all the time, and sometimes loudly. When I get changed in my room you'll get used to me turning some rock up and singing loudly. You'll get used to having a multitude of different artists played to you in the car. You'll get annoyed with how often I mention Regina Spektor and Brand New.

4) You'll meet all my friends. They're wonderful, and I want to share them with you.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

1) Met with Sam Z in Melbourne and he showed me a round a little before we lay in the park all afternoon in the sun!

2) Went to a CS meet up in Melbourne and met eight or so great people

3) Met Annie in Perth who took me out for drinks with fellow CSers Kait, Sarah, and Jay

4) Went to Annie's for dinner and lazing around and had a brilliant and relaxing evening.

5) Met Christian for a drink in Perth.

6) Met the lovely Fred for some coffees in rainy Christcurch, then went to an art gallery.

7) Went on a CS road trip for two days down the Great Ocean Road in Victoria with Alisdair, Jay (my old Perth friend), Lene and Katie

8) Stayed at Alisdair's house in Melbourne

9) Crashed at KS's house after grooving around Brunswick St. in Melbourne

10) Spent three days couchsurfing at Strossel's beach house with many others including Alisdair, Joao, Strossel, Christian and Maria, Flo, and Lene

11) Stayed with Strossel in Melbourne for five days

12) Went to Peel's Melbourne Fine Dining Appreciation Society meet with 22 other couchsurfers

13) I hosted Jesse the wonder-friend for a week in July/August

13) I hosted Arun for the day and we went on a trip to a walk in Cerne Abbas, had cream tea, jumped off a high hill overlooking the whole of Dorset and comtemplated our navels on the beach.

14) Hosted Eli the Swede for two weeks of Dorset madness in August '07.

15) Hosted Strossel for eight days in Dorsetshire. She wouldn't jump, so don't look for the photo! ;)

16) I hosted the lovely Aussie Aylwen for two days. We went swimming in the sea, it was freezing!

I want to get out there and discover everything CS has to offer. Want to join?

Interests

I have a million and one. Here are a few:

Writing (something, everything, all the time)
Learning
Listening
Sailing big ol' boats
Cycling to get somewhere
Watching odd sports like darts and curling
Cheese
Playing the piano and trombone (not together)
Pub quizzes
Philosophy, of all kinds, from all people
Reading
Texas Hold 'em
Language
Archaisms
Theatre (watching, acting, whatever)
Exploring
Making new friends (one of the biggest rushes in life)
Getting accidently drunk
Making plans
Following through on plans
Receiving and sending post
Discussing something or anything
Discovering
Telling tales (and listening to them)
Public transport, especially buses and trains

• arts
• writing
• singing
• acting
• dining
• cooking
• cheese
• fine dining
• drinking
• pub crawls
• shopping
• reading
• darts
• music
• guitar
• piano
• cycling
• sailing
• sports
• swimming
• languages
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

Currently overcome with love for the electronic genre of music. If you don't like it, give me a few minutes to tell you why I love it. Love something of most other genres, particularly brilliant singer sonwriters and lyricists, folk and country music, heavy heavy rock, indie and pop. Maybe a li'l R&B. Whatevers. Love Regina Spektor, Gaga and Brand New particularly.

Books are and have always been an important part of my life. I have learnt so much from reading. I like all kinds of books, but right now I am enjoying existentialist and trangressional fiction. Lend me your favourite book though, I would love to read it.

I watch too many movies. I go to the cinema all the time, at least twice a month. I buy DVDs every week because I love to be moved by film. I also love making films, of anything.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Sitting as quietly as possible in a field in New Hampshire, USA, watching a black bear cub playing ten metres away while its mother keeps an eye on it from the forest at the edge.

Every moment I've ever had where I am short of breath with happiness. The sunsets I didn't believe possible and the hands that have been in mine. The words of my friends and laughter, all the time, everywhere, even when we shouldn't. Music and silence when I need them. Realising I am trusted and loved.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach you about the English Language, as I know a hell of a lot about it.

I would really like to learn about YOUR language. I would also like to learn how to cook, skate, and play any instrument other than the piano or trombone (because I can already play those). I'd particularly like you to teach me how to play the guitar. I would like to learn about the forgotten parts of where you live, the things no one but you knows about your town.

I would like to share everything I have.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, United Kingdom

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