CURRENT MISSION

To constantly improve myself no matter how mundane or extraordinary.

ABOUT ME

I have lived in the countryside of Japan for three years now. In that time I have come to love and appreciate the culture in ways I never thought I would. Onsens (hot springs) are one of my favorite activities in the world. Me and my girlfriend often take weekend trips just to go chill-out in hot, natural, volcanic water (witless wordplay intended).

I really enjoy meeting new people, whereas my girlfriend likes taking care of people. It's a good balance as I'm the outgoing one, and she is the one that makes sure the reservation is made and everyone knows where the party is at.

I like partying, dancing, and partying some more, but for better or worse, the city I am in right now does not have much a scene, so more often than not I spend my free time reading books, studying (which for the degree I am earning involves reading books.....sweet!) and riding my bicycle either through beautiful low hills and along rivers, or out along the sea, with a horizon studded with many smaller islands.

NOTE!!!!!!!!! While I am able to ride a bike (about 10 km away) to see some small islands, the place I live in exactly is really, really uninteresting. It is a very normal Japanese small city. I do not recommend coming to Shunan city for sightseeing in Shunan city. But, I live about a fifteen minute walk from a train station. And if you come on a weekend, perhaps I could take you in my car for somesightseeing. With that in mind.... i continue.....

If I could go to a party, my first choice would be a club with either some psychadelic trance, or perhaps some breaks. Second choice would be a live Indie show (God its been a loooong while since I've been to a one of those). And last, but by no means the least, I'd like to go to a conscious, underground hip hop event. Ideally I'd have some natural party favors as well.

PHILOSOPHY

As mentioned, I really do like improving myself. But it ain't necessarily like these big lofty goals. Rather, soemtimes I trust try to stand straighter. Other times my goal is to hold my liquor a little more "adult-like" Or perhaps read ten more pages than I really want. Or making sure to say hello and ask a sincere question whenever I meet a friend occasionally. I find that these small little steps to be quite rewarding.

On the bigger scale I value internal and external peace over practically all else, but know that I am far away from achieving it.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Well, I just signed up, so I don't really know how I will participate. But my plan is like this:

I mentioned the girlfriend, Michiyo, in my "all about me" section because while we do not live together, she is at my house most of the time. If someone were to stay with me, we'd do our best to make sure she was here as well, as she would love to share her culture and cook one of her decent, authentic Japanese dishes. Her Sukiyaki is bomb.

My place ain't big but it ain't small. Anyone who stayed here would have their own room (seperated by sliding doors, Japanese style), and either a futon or a couch, depending on if there is one or two people.

And then, after a year of hopefully helping out the occasional traveler that comes through the "inaka" of, me and Michiyo are planning to travel through South America for about six months, and would love to find a couch to crash on.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Officially, none. Though after returning back to my "hometown" of San Francisco, CA, I slept on a friends couch that overlooked Golden Gate Park right near the hate steet. I remember when I walked into the living room for the first time, she had some "brand-spankin-new-to-me" bomb ass electroclash beats playing and tossed me some local, natural party favors and said "Welcome home"

Interests

As mentioned, I am into music. Favorites right now are Radiohead, Ra Ra Riot, Santogold, EdIT, and Modest Mouse. I like "smart movies" a lot, and I hope that doesn't make me sound conceited.

While living in Japan I have become a sucker for the "continuing dramas" a la LOST or BATTLESTAR GALACTICA or even, dare I say GREY'S ANATOMY. I look at it as my dose of American while living in Japan.

I like socializing and being alone equally. When I'm social, i will usually be having a drink. When I'm alone, I either enjoy the green medicine, or nothing at all.

Oh, and philosophy and comparitive religions. Yeah, dig them the most.

• culture
• books
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• partying
• drinking
• clubbing
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• music
• cycling
• anatomy
• medicine
• religion
• sightseeing
• rivers
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Well, I mentioned the Music. I'd add Infected Mushroom, Atmosphere, Idea and Abilities, Sublime to that list.

Movies is always a difficult one. But I do love them.

Books are rocking in general. Recently read "Brothers Karamazov" by Dostoevsky. That was fantastic. I also liked Saul Bellow's "Herzog." For a while Vonnegaut and Kerouac wanted me to be a writer. I went through a Hemingway phase. I recently reread "Heart of Darkness" by Conrad. I say reread cause like many US High School students I was forced to read it. It is my opinion that that book has no place in High School. After a few more years of life, that book is indeed horrific and scary and absolutely amazing. "1984" also falls into that category of books High School students shouldn't have to read, but everyone should later on in life.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Took a taxi with with three girls from America who had become my good friends while studying in india. Anyhow, we took this taxi for about 24 hours from Delhi, India to Kashmir. After driving through the last tunnel which was rumored to only have been insured to not collapse until five years before, the Kashmir Valley opened up before us, a golden sun streaming down with an english sign saying "Welcome to Heaven on Earth." We planned to stay there only a week, but we stayed a month. Absoltuly fantastic

Teach, Learn, Share

Aum Shanti Aum.

The best translation I have heard for "Namaste" is "The divine seed in me recognizes the divine seed in you."

Japanese people aren't cold, they are just very shy.

If you are traveling through Japan, and looking for cheap meals, Super Markets have a very large selection of foods that are already made, and if meal needs a microwave, the store has one. Also at the register you can get chopsticks. Lots of healthy food there as well for when you get tired of Yoshinoya.