CURRENT MISSION

To travel and backcountry backpack as much as possible.

ABOUT ME

From philosophy to photography, I want to see it and hear it all from every corner of the world.

I will live in Australia, Central America, Europe and Africa for short periods of time at least once in my life. As of Jan 22nd, 2008: 1 down 3 to go. Europe, check.

PHILOSOPHY

The future is no place to place your better days.

Life is to be lived. No excuses. No reservations. No holding back.

An enchanting story about violinist Fritz Kreisler tells how he once came across a beautiful instrument he wanted to acquire. When he finally raised the money for the violin, he returned to buy it and learned that it had already been sold to a collector.

He went to the new owner's home in order to try to persuade him to sell the violin. But the collector said it was one of his prized possessions and he could not let it go. The disappointed Kreisler turned to leave, but then asked a favor. "May I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?"

Permission was granted and the great musician began to play. The violin sang out a quality of music so beautiful that the collector himself could only listen in wonderment. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he said after the musician finished. "The violin is yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into world, and let people hear it."

William Arthur Ward said, "If you believe in prayer, pray; if you believe in serving, serve; if you believe in giving, give." For you and I are exquisite violins -- our music is meant to be heard.

I want to live my life that way -- to take it into the world and live it fully. I'd rather burn out than rust out. I'd rather be used up than die not having done whatever I could...wherever I would.

I'm not talking about wearing ourselves out on over-activity. Happiness is never found in excessive busyness. But it is found in investing our lives in others. Saying YES when asked for a hand. Volunteering some time for a worthwhile organization. Spending an hour with a lonely relative.

In the end, I know that my happiness will not have been about by my ability or my inability. It will have been about my availability. My life is meant to be lived.
-- Steve Goodier

"Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh." -W. H. Auden

“Some people are pragmatists, taking things as they come and making the best of the choices available. Some people are idealists, standing for principle and refusing to compromise. And some people just act on any whim that enters their heads. I pragmatically turn my whims into principles."
~Calvin (Calvin & Hobbes) (this is a joke... do not take too seriously)

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

To give back to the world what it has given me, when I've gone looking for it: kindness, generosity, fun, intelligence, mirth and good humor.

Interests

Photography, learning about other cultures and places, basketball, most types of music, the outdoors and unspoiled wilderness, biology/animals, countries that are not my own, travel within the USA, my friends, learning about everything possible

• animals
• books
• photography
• beauty
• coffee
• movies
• traveling
• investing
• music
• violin
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• basketball
• biology
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies:
Juno, Hook, Big Fish, Finding Neverland, Almost Famous, Lost in Translation, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1 and 2, Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, High Fidelity, The Insider, Garden State, Band of Brothers, Star Wars, 1917, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Groundhog Day

Books:
National Geographic magazine, Tuesdays with Morrie, Essays of E.B. White, The Caine Mutiny, 1984, The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince), To Kill a Mockingbird, The Killer Angels, A Short History of Nearly Everything

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Seeing the pristine and intense beauty of Lake Mackenzie on Fraser Island, Australia.

Teach, Learn, Share

I love sharing the gift of photography with people, showing them how to make their snapshots into something more. Everyone has the skill and ability, they just don't always know it!

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Belgium, Burundi, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Peru, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Italy, United States