CURRENT MISSION

To Go Where Many Have Gone Before

ABOUT ME

Until recently I was an engineer working at an engine design center in Peoria IL. I did that for two years, then left my job to volunteer in Nepal at a children's home for a month. It was a fantastic experience. After returning home I took a bike/train trip to Seattle, which is where I am now.

PHILOSOPHY

I've always been a "live and let live" sort of person. I don't judge people for what they do but I don't demand the same in return. Lately I've been trying hard to be as non-materialistic and as I can, and simplify everything in my life. I'm also trying to minimize the amount of garbage (especially plastic products)that I produce.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm new to this whole thing but it sounded like a great way to meet people and save some hotel money while I'm travelling around the country (or world). Once I'm established in a more permanent way I will more than likely end up hosting people as well.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've surfed three times during a bike tour and had very positive experiences each time.

Interests

Camping, Backpacking, Bicycling, Travelling (too obvious?), Brewing, Fiddling, Juggling, Reading, Philosophy, History, etc. etc.

• design
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• juggling
• cycling
• backpacking
• camping
• engineering
• history
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

I love to read when I have the time. In my childhood I mostly read fantasy books (Tolkien, Eddings, the Dragonlance series) but I'm also largely interested in History and Historical Fiction. Lately I've been trying to read as many of the classics as I can get my hands on. Books I've read in the last few months include Utopia, Walden, The Mahabharata, The Ramayana, and Several Sherlock Holmes stories. I'm currently reading The Brothers Karamazov.

My music tastes are fairly broad but I'm largely into Metal, Punk, Folk music, Folk Metal, old-fashioned country (like appalachian style) and just about anything that involves the violin.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I left my job to go on a volunteering project in Nepal, and then backpacked through the Himalayas.

Teach, Learn, Share

I've recently been made aware that there is significant evidence that Jesus lived a large part of his life in India. Interesting, no?

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Canada, Germany, Iceland, Mexico, Nepal, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States