Very liberal, easy going, secular humorist. And wicked punster. I'm rather irked I couldn't add Ironyan as one of the Languages I'm Fluent In.

An avid reader, freelance writer, hobbyist photographer and painter, speechwriter and presenter, teacher, philosopher, joke teller, lover of laughter and learning, connoisseur of beauty and deep conversations, I find myself so close to perfection that I have next to nothing to contribute at my Liars Anonymous meetings. Sad.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love travel.

I love meeting people.

I love traveling or facilitating the travel of others on a shoestring — and in a way that connects travelers with locals and local treasures — unlikely to be accomplished by other modes of travel.

Interests

• photography
• reading
• music
• classical music
• philosophy
• psychology
• science
• road trips
• reading books
• jokes
• blues dance
• choral music
• social psychology
• blues music
• creative writing
• choral singing
• classic rock

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 1977, I spent a snowy evening in January with a homeless man on a sidewalk grate in New York City. I could have passed for homeless myself and was curious about how the ones who actually lived on the streets thought and felt and saw the world. An amazing evening. Much more to that story; ask, if you want to hear it.

•=•=•=•=•=•

Here's a bonus: eight months and thousands of miles later, toward the end of an eight-week hitchhiking trip, I spent another 24 hours in New York City — astonishing for its breadth of experience. On a sauna-like Saturday, not able to contact any friends in town on short notice — having just arrived in town, I spent the night at the Salvation Army Booth House on the Bowery, a flophouse for homeless and mentally ill men.

The next morning, I traveled to the far upper west side of Manhattan to Riverside Church to hear a good choir. While I wrote in my journal in the back balcony, I watched latecomers straggle in, say something to the director, then be pointed to a section. I finally paid attention when I heard the director say, "No, we don't need another tenor this morning, but we could sure use another bass."

I sing bass.

I stashed my backpack with an usher and strode confidently up the aisle in t-shirt and hiking boots. They gave me a robe to cover my casual attire, and, after spending the night in near squalor, I sight-read like mad and helped lead the service at one of the most storied churches in New York City.

That afternoon, I climbed the steep hill rising from street level into far northern Central Park — Harlem territory. A group of black friends was enjoying playing softball together. I watched. When I finally asked to play, they unenthusiastically allowed me to take the field until I made a bare-handed catch and double play at second base. Then I was all right.

When it began pouring rain, the only shelter was down the hill — a small building we crowded into. Turns out, it was a formerly operational restroom that had remained in use even after it ceased to function. I stood with my back to the wall beside the overflowing toilet. Everyone else faced me. A child of about 10 studied my lighter skin, and, with rain drumming violently on the roof, asked me, "Do you like us?"

Everyone stopped talking and awaited my answer.

I considered my answer.

I said, "Well, I don't know you, but you let me play in your softball game, so you're OK in my book." They invited me back any Sunday I wanted to play again.

Teach, Learn, Share

I taught private studio voice for many years, and could coach your singing or give you basic vocal production lessons.

I love to swap stories, true or tall tales.

And jokes. I know so many jokes! But I'd love to hear one I've never heard before and share some you've never heard before. Let's laugh together.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share a listening ear — two, in fact.
I can share a depth of compassion and wisdom only age and pain can bring.
I can share a hearty laugh that's rather catching.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Germany, Russian Federation, Trinidad and Tobago

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States