CURRENT MISSION

Save the world

ABOUT ME

Jack of all trades artist, writer, game designer, community organiser, rebel with too many causes, urban and wild explorer as often as able. Thoroughly unemployed and deviously irresponsible, until necessity calls.

I've recently, finally received the beginnings of effective treatment for some complicated issues that have disabled me through my twenties, limiting my life experience, my ability to travel, to learn, to engage with the world as I've wanted to. Things might be perking up, and I'm very keen to meet people and resume adventuring. It has been too long. It simply feels fair to note that I wouldn't consider myself absolutely, 100% reliable due to fluctuations of motivation and positivity - so I make no promises I cannot keep, and only list as 'maybe' for hosting. If I'm out on an adventure it means I'm fine, so this has no impact upon me as a surfer.

PHILOSOPHY

Learn everything. Never die. Save the world. It needs the help.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Any way I can. I tend to request at very short notice, with no high expectation of a response, as my adventures tend to be spontaneous. As a host I can offer only a shared room with myself in a family home where one other denizen lives.

Space and privacy are low, so I wouldn't recommend requesting a long stay or foregoing a better option - consider me an emergency fallback unless you particularly want some intellectually stimulating company, and would like to discuss or share films, literature, music or videogames - or anything else that takes your interest in the world.

I can also feed you - I'm not much of a cook, but I make very simple, filling meals to a high standard. Probably not much in the way of vegan in stock, so let me know in advance if you have specific food needs =)

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

A little, hosting or surfing only a few times so far - but I've hosted and stayed with many people without the use of the CS community, in the old fashioned manner. I've had no bad experiences through CS, though I've been stranded and mistreated by hosts in the past without a formal system to go through. I've hosted friends old and new many hundreds of times over the last ten years and am told that I'm a gracious host.

Interests

Almost everything.

I'm not interested in spectator sports, sports cars, celebrity gossip or television shows very much, but other than that you're unlikely to find a subject I won't have a decent knowledge of and interest in - though I'm not as musical as most. Debate is among my most valued hobbies - the deeper and more ethically challenging the better.

I'm particularly interested in philosophy, practical sciences, vibrant art styles, cinema, videogame design, psychology, wildlife, combat-sparring, and history.

• wildlife
• arts
• writing
• books
• literature
• design
• photography
• causes
• dining
• cooking
• vegan
• movies
• traveling
• cars
• socializing
• painting
• survival
• music
• surfing
• sports
• martial arts
• history
• psychology
• tours

Music, Movies, and Books

My tastes in music vary from the cheesiest of the eighties, to ambient industrial, to the more passionate and dark classical compositions. From mood to mood, Nine Inch Nails, Daft Punk, Grieg, The Stranglers, Gorillaz or the soundtrack of Sonic the Hedgehog could all hit the spot depending upon my mood. I have a general preference for the eccentric, a good bass beat, a low reliance upon vocals, or something that tells a story with a thick atmosphere.

Movies? Hmm. Challenging, interesting films. Realism is a factor, and purpose. Subtle symbolism. Science Fiction/Post Apocalyptic or realistic Fantasy tend to meet my tastes most easily - give me The Thing, Terminator, Ghost in the Shell 2, Book of Eli. I was recently rather impressed by Snowpiercer. I won't generally watch crude American frat-humour comedies, or senseless gore-porn horror films without a decent plot or atmosphere, though.

Books... That's a trickier one. I'll just list a few items and authors; Dune/Herbert - Discworld/Pratchett - Rain Wild Chronicles/Robin Hobb, Void trilogy/Peter F. Hamilton. Scar Night, Old Kingdom trilogy, His Dark Materials. Dark fantasy and science fiction that challenges and explores in depth, with humour and self-awareness.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Witness my home city lost under clouds, the roofs of tower blocks emerging like islands in an ocean of white.

Raging waterfalls in the Welsh valleys.

Thrilling thunderstorms over Columbus, Ohio. Or vibrantly orange lightning strikes across the Bristol Channel from Swansea Bay.

Road-tripped 2300 miles through Ohio, Michigan, Ontario, around Lake Superior and all the way home, sleeping nights in the back of a rather small rental car.

Stared out over Ouimet Canyon, near Thunder Bay, as the sun set.

Built a six foot, seated snow sculpture on Kilvey Hill, once again above my home city. Britain isn't the most exciting place on Earth, but it has its moments.

Teach, Learn, Share

Psychology, therapy, informal psychiatric support born of many years study and experience taking care of loved ones with multiple diagnosed disorders.

Massage skills.

Writing, photography, digital painting and photomanipulation.

Some basic physical skills and loosely assembled martial arts tricks, though I'm far more keen to learn those than share what little I've found so far.

I have a mind like a chaotic encyclopaedia. I can't tell you what you might learn, but you'll definitely learn something of interest in an evening of chatter with me.

I'm specifically well-studied in the history of my local area, chiefly its period as the largest industrial capital and busiest industrial port on the planet in the 1800s.

Teach me to fight, teach me new artistic techniques. Survival skills, creative tricks. Teach me patience. Show me something beautiful.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Deep, interested and fairly knowledgable discussion of almost any topic other than the inner workings of the harder sciences.

A listening ear, and my experience providing support and advice about dilemmas or psychiatric difficulties.

Relaxed company. A carefully curated library of music, films, books and computer games.

Tours of the local area, knowing quite a few of its secrets and a decent amount of its history.

Short-notice hosting.

Spontaneous adventure.

An open mind.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, England, France, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States, Wales