CURRENT MISSION

Go with the flow. Let go. Be happy, joyous, and free. (Oh, and build an amazing treehouse someday.)

ABOUT ME

I like geeky things, but I also really like talking with people. I've found that's not a typical combination. I feel fortunate to like most people that I meet, which is one of the reasons I'm excited about Couchsurfing.

I don't think there's much better in this life than a good conversation. My weekends are generally laid back. Going out to eat and having friends back to the house for board games or video games is my idea of a great evening.

I don't drink, but don't mind if you do. I prefer a coffee shop to a bar, but I've had great times in both.

I live with my wonderful, couchsurfing girlfriend, Julieta. You can read all about her here: http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/pichipiconauta/

PHILOSOPHY

Out beyond the ideas of right-doing or wrong-doing there is a field - I'll meet you there. - Rumi

I think we're in far less control than we think, and there's a lot of freedom in that. If we pay attention, we will feel naturally guided in everything...

Being emotionally present is important, and sometimes difficult. Not living in my head is a hard habit to break.

I think that 12 step programs, regardless of the thing they're "treating", are an excellent recipe for a spiritual life, and I wish everyone qualified for one.

It was okay. It is okay now. It will be okay.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Juli and I spend most of our time in Turin, Italy, as she is a student here. We open our couch to travelers who want to see this lesser-known of the beautiful Italian cities.

When we're not here, we're in Austin, TX, and we have a lovely guest bedroom to offer.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've surfed with kind folks in some great places. The best was probably Cynta's amazing rebuilt ruin in Terlingua.

I've had the privilege of hosting numerous, fantastic surfers in Austin.

Interests

Video games, board games, astronomy/stargazing, geocaching, volleyball, poker, spirituality, meditating, yoga, philosophy, relationships, traveling, raquetball, computer programming, science fiction, physics, meeting new people, intentional lucid dreaming, good conversation about any of the above...

• arts
• coffee
• yoga
• drinking
• shopping
• video games
• board games
• traveling
• poker
• volleyball
• paragliding
• astronomy
• physics
• science

Music, Movies, and Books

Music: I love downtempo electronica and quite a bit of other mellow stuff.
To really learn about my taste in music, you can listen to my favorite Pandora station
or view my Pandora profile. To save you the trip, some artists include: Lamb, Massive Attack, Morcheeba, Thievery Corporation, Jem, Baxter, Tori Amos, Everything But the Girl, Mono, Amon Tobin, Royksopp, Frou Frou...

Illusions, by Richard Bach, is one of my favorite books. In particular, the parable of the creatures living in the crystal river is something I never tire of reading.

Fiction: William Gibson: Neuromancer; Neal Stephenson: Snow Crash, The Diamond Age; Frank Herbert: Dune; Neil Gaiman: Neverwhere, Good Omens; Isaac Asimov: Short stories; Arthur C Clark: Rendezvous with Rama, 2001;

Non-fiction books: Be Here Now; The Tao of Pooh; The Treehouse Book (I really want to have a Treehouse vacation home some day); Small Spaces, Living with Books; Tipping Point, Freakonomics, Armchair Economist, Mind Hacks, Exploring the World of Lucid Dreaming

Wired and Make Magazine.

Fierce Grace (Ram Dass documentary),
Cowboy Bebop, Dr. Who, Nova, Fawlty Towers, Penn & Teller's Bullshit

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've experienced about 7 minutes of weightlessness in a Zero G plane. It was the most amazing thing I've ever done. Nothing brings you into the present moment like floating.

I've also flown an ultralight in Seattle and would love to have my own ultralight or powered paraglider someday.

I've skydived. It was fun, and surprisingly loud.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can show you how to prepare a pretty darn good cup of espresso in the Italian-style machine that flummoxed me the first time I saw it. ;)

I can show you how to Geocache, which is the art of finding treasures that people have already hidden all around you.

I can teach you a small bit about the stars. You'd be amazed what you can see through a pair of binoculars from my back porch! I can also show you an iridium flare if your timing is right, which is sight to behold.

I love hearing people talk about things they're passionate about.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States

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