CURRENT MISSION

Photograph it.

*Update*

Logging into CS for the first time in many years. Just left Asia after 15 years. Setting up shop in Chicago. Current mission is to learn this town and get good at my new job.

ABOUT ME

*Written in 2006?*

I'm nuts... sorta. I wanna explore till I fall apart. I love meeting people, I'm offensively sarcastic sometimes, but its all in good fun. I love me some Asia... I want to meet folks who are as obsessed with music as I am. I want to get on a bus in a country where I can't read the language and just ride it till it lands somewhere in a remote part of the country, and if I don't get kidnapped by insurgents (or if I do) grab the nearest local and strike up a convo.

*2022 Update*

Most of the above stuff remains true, but now I'm in the US and learning my way around.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

*Written in 2006ish*

My couch could potentially be your couch, but I've got a dog who doesn't like strangers. It's better if my knowledge of my city is your knowledge, and my know-how can make your stay more enjoyable. I know this city better than any place on earth. If you need it, I can find it. If you want to see it, I know how to get there. If you want to try it, I can get it for you. If I have time, I'll be glad to help in any way I can.

*Update*

I'm wayyyy smarter about Seoul than I was when I wrote that, so take that for what it's worth. Seoul is my forever-home, but I don't live there anymore. I've now got me a funky 2-bedroom spot in the north side of Chicago, and I work from home. I travel quite a lot for work, but if I'm around, then I'm happy to host.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

*Old CS comment*

I've never surfed, but I've had a couple people come stay with me in Korea. I met some folks for drinks in Beijing and made some great friends through this site in Taiwan.

*Update*

I've used Couchsurfing to meet with people in Europe, the US, Mexico, Korea, and a few other places in Asia. Usually we grab a coffee or a meal and philosophize over whatever's interesting. Or just trade war stories, (everyone has a crazy experience worth sharing). Now that I'm in the US, I receive frequent Couchsurfing requests. Unfortunately I'm not often around, but I'm always looking to connect with good people.

Interests

music, reading, exploring, riding my bike and getting lost, climbing mountains, taking random buses, walking up to people I dont know and attempting to communicate with them, speaking Korean to Chinese people and finding humor in it when they can understand, taking photo's of random stuff and managing to find the artistic perspective in it... helping others to do the same.

• dogs
• walking
• drinking
• reading
• socializing
• music
• cycling
• rock climbing
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Nina, King Los, Sam Cooke, Elzhi, Dilla, Saigon, CyHi, Talib, Black Thought, Freddie Joachim, Oddisee, RA the Rugged Man, Nym, Masta Ace, J-Live, Kev Brown, Sticky Fingers, Michael Kiwanuka, Damien Marley, et al.

Coming to America, Back to the Future, Hell or High Water, Interstellar, Waking Life, Moon, to name a few.

2000 Seasons, Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, Fear and Loathing, Tropic of Capricorn, Story of B, Shantaram... to name a few.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I climbed Kili a few years ago. That was pretty amazing.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love to cook. I speak plenty of Korean, if you're interested. I'm way into photography. I'm sitting on around 2000 books, which I love to share and discuss. I'm always down to go out and explore. I'm learning my way around here and it's always fun to have someone to do it with.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, China, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Laos, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United States