CURRENT MISSION

I'm in the business of immigration law. When people ask what I do, I tell them that I help people navigate our country's racist and xenophobic immigration laws. Somethings I also do, that are missions but not business: I like to go about eradicating exploitation through poetry and community work, and cooking the best spinach paneer possible.

ABOUT ME

I love to write, memorize and perform poetry. I also have a lovely old typewriter with which I write improv poetry ( www.poetrywhileyouwait.com ). Some of those poems you can read here:
www.facebook.com/stephencogerthewriter

What else? Hmm... Radical, loving, vegetarian... ah! I love music, and I play trumpet, guitar, piano and I'm learning sitar. I sing, and one of my favorite things is chatting with friends that live in India or Argentina, where I've traveled the most.

The last 6 years or so I've been working on Tibetan refugee rights, Mexican immigrant rights, and prisoner rights in India, the USA, and Argentina. Now I focus mainly on the criminalization of poverty and the lives of people of color and queer and trans* people.

I love the world, and I believe in making it a better place through more fully loving myself and sharing the gifts that this self-love grows.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe we are all one: trees, rocks, animals and humans. I think everything is energy, just different forms of it, and that our words are magic that touch and influence everything from subtle winds in distant nebulae to the heart of our mothers.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm a great tour guide! That is, I participate by meeting couchsurfers and hanging out around town. Soon I will buy a home and begin hosting surfers!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I couchsurfed in India, and it was terrific. I couchsurfed in Little Rock and St. Paul, and it was magical. Next, Las Vegas!

Interests

I cook, play trumpet and practice yoga.

I read poetry: stuff by Kabir, Sonia Sanchez, Naomi Shihab Nye and Hafiz, for example.

I read science fiction: Alexei Panshin and Julian May, among others.

Oh, one more poet -- Katrina Vandenberg. Her book "Atlas" is so, so, so great.

• animals
• birds
• poetry
• singing
• performing arts
• coloring
• cooking
• vegetarian
• yoga
• magic
• music
• guitar
• piano
• trumpet
• business
• law
• science
• tourism

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies: Loaded Weapon 1; O Brother, Where Art Thou; Serenity, Mad Max: Fury Road

Music: "Chinna" Smith, Bunny Wailer, Van Morrison, Rolling Stones, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Third Eye Blind

Books: The Anthony Villiers Trilogy by Alexei Panshin, The Pliocene Saga by Julian May, "The Gift," poems by Hafiz

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One fall night, next to the gargling Ganges, dipping into the river, under a tree bristling, brimming with lightning bugs, and crowded with with nocturnal birds, gliding in circles from the tree through the night.

Teach, Learn, Share

I practice yoga (postures, eye exercises and/or breathing practices) on the daily and love to share that. I love to share music with people, whether they sing/play with me or simply listen.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share my veggie cooking, yoga, and music! I'm also a decent listener, and I might respond to your sharing with a poem, if you want.

Countries I’ve Visited

Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Argentina, India, United States