I’m not sure what to say about me because most things I can say to describe myself conflict with other things I can say to describe myself. Like, how can I say I am very logical and practical and at the same time say I am very emotional. But I’m all of these.

I guess there are a few things that have no contradiction:
I’m reasonably fit, healthy, and active.

I enjoy sailing, fishing, hiking, camping, gardening, computers, music, reading, cooking

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Philosophically:

I am trying to increase my understanding and acceptance of people from all cultures by bringing them to me and sharing our life stories.

I try to practice kindness, simplicity, gratefulness, mindfulness and hospitality. I am very accepting of different races, religions, cultural practices, sexual orientations, etc. Basically my primary guide is “do no harm”…almost everything that meets that requirement is OK with me.

I am very open about most elements of my life and I value conversations with people who can be comfortable sharing their deep feelings about the good, the bad, and the ugly in their life as well. I have learned what you see on the surface is not the real person. I like to know the real person.

I am very accepting of people from diverse cultures and lifestyles.

I think CouchSurfing offers you and me an opportunity for conversations we might not have with people in our everyday life. Opening up your feelings with a stranger and listening to your own thoughts can be helpful in understanding yourself. And hearing another persons experiences and opinions can also be enlightening. This is a safe environment where people you deal with everyday will not know "too much" about you. But you will learn more about yourself through the process of verbalizing your thoughts. Just like a psychiatrist mostly listens to you resolving our own issues!

Interests

• swimming

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - Depends on how I feel...usually slow serious stuff. It seems YouTube knows more about what I like than I do.

Ray LaMontagne
Damien Rice
Passenger
Adele
Christina Perri
John Legend
Boyce Avenue
many others

with occasional old ones like
REM
Coldplay
or Bryan Adams
even Fleetwood Mac

Teach, Learn, Share

Would love to share this wonderful house/view with a pleasant person and just enjoy being together. Cooking together. Talking about meaningful life experiences. Understanding alternate views of the world as we see it.

Just hanging out and having a good time sharing the beauty of the Bay of Islands with another person would be my pleasure.

I host many one year working holiday visitors and enjoy helping them get their EG life organized. I can help you with phones, bank accounts, etc. I can usually help you get most of this done in 2 days instead of the 2 weeks it takes many people. I’m happy to help even if you do not stay with me.

I like hosting people who share common interests as well as diverse opinions. Most people say in their profile they are “open minded” which I have found means quite different things from person to person. You don’t have to be open minded to get along well with me. I also find closed minded people interesting. I will try to understand you and your opinions.

I like hosting thoughtful, cooperative people who want to be sociable and want to practice fair sharing.
I like meeting people who have time to share for cultural exchange, learning and fun. I also understand sometimes people need private time for rest or planning their travel.

I prefer visitors stay for a few days to make the experience worthwhile for me. If you are just wanting a free hostel or want to be unsociable or want to stay at a party house - best find another place to stay.

Before sending a request or accepting an offer to host please my read and pay attention to all my profile. If you are travelling with a friend say something about them in your request and preferably include a link to their CouchSurfing profile.