CURRENT MISSION

To chase the sun, and never grow tired. To think with my brain, follow my heart, and negotiate the paradoxes in between. To build a strong community.

ABOUT ME

I am an artist and teacher; a modern day nomad, fascinated by most everything in the natural world, and most everything in the complex, human-constructed system that we know and understand. I dream and think in metaphors, like a poet. I think a lot about dreams, the human brain, memory, genealogy, mythology, and astronomy.

I grew up in a rural northern Michigan, among forests, lakes, and changing seasons. I'm good with plants, and most people, and I will venture to say I have a heart of gold. I love to cook and sharing meals with others. I put a high value on quality time and deep conversation.

PHILOSOPHY

To fight for what I believe in, and live a life that fuels, and is fueled by, those beliefs. To always listen, learn, and evolve. Share time and experience with people I respect and appreciate, am drawn to and inspired by. Change is bigger when we work together.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

In 2012, I lived in Bratislava, Slovakia, in a flat full of couch surfers and a Couchsurfing ambassador, so we were hosting all the time. Over the years, I have become more interested in alternative, sustainable, and community-conscious living, and I believe Couchsurfing is a space that offers good solutions and opportunities for people to connect and learn from each other. I'm mostly surfing at the moment, and look forward to hosting again when I am in a position to do so.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've made several long-lasting friendships, and am always open for more.

Interests

• arts
• books
• poetry
• design
• photography
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• yoga
• walking
• movies
• traveling
• painting
• woodworking
• music
• equestrian
• hiking
• surfing
• swimming
• archery
• astronomy
• teaching
• genealogy
• science
• lakes

Music, Movies, and Books

I really love film, so it would be exhausting to list all of my favorites, but here is a preview:

Werckmeister Harmonies, 2046, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Amelie, Pan's Labyrinth, The Neverending Story, The Turin Horse, Drive, Melancholia, Tree of Life, pretty much anything by Wong Kar Wai, Wes Anderson, David Lynch, and Quinten Tarantino.

Music: Leonard Cohen, Warsaw Village Band, CocoRosie, Cat Power, Beach House, Damien Jurado, Jeff Buckley, Ratatat, Otis Redding, Percy Sledge. I love finding and sharing music when I travel, so exchanging a playlist is a big possibility!

For books, I lean towards creative non-fiction, memoirs, and science fiction over most other genres. Right now I'm reading "When God Was a Woman" and "Keywords - The New Language of Capitalism"

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Seen northern lights from inside the Arctic circle, while working among space scientists and indigenous reindeer herders, and photographing the eyes of Arctic reindeer. That seems like more than one, but it's all connected and ongoing.

Teach, Learn, Share

When I was young I used to survey frogs with my father, identifying and tracking the different breeds based on the sound of their croaking. I don't know if I could still tell you the different breeds, but I could definitely tell you when I hear a frog. :)

I love to cook and share meals. I've taught college level painting, photography, and interdisciplinary critique classes. I make photos, videos, and sculptural/performative/installation art. I have published books and developed websites. I'm happy to share and exchange all the knowledge and skills I can.

Change is bigger when we work together.

*Things I want to learn more about: tap-dancing, pottery, sewing, upholstery, Ayurvedic nutrition, indigenous/ancient medicine ... (this is a growing, and ever-changing list).

What I Can Share with Hosts

See above.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Slovakia, Sweden, United States

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