CURRENT MISSION

To live fully and leave no dark corner unexplored, to travel with an open heart and mind so I can learn from the people and cultures I encounter on their own terms, with as little preconceived notions, biases or prejudices as possible!

ABOUT ME

I am a tall, loud laughing lover with a genuine desire to meet different people and engage with difficult ideas (always with a reverence for life)! I see beauty in what may be often perceived as "ugly," things like trash, cracking pavement, those liminal and dangerous ignored dark aspects of humanity which motivate and enrich our experiences... Despite growing up in the San Fernando Valley in LA surrounded by heat, I love the cold(er) weather up in the Bay Area more than anything. It's weather to cuddle in, weather to wrap yourself up for, weather to make you nippy and sharp and on your toes! I love any sort of creative process, and I love learning new things. In my spare time I create hats and embellish/recreate used clothing, paint on occassion, read a LOT, cook, sing, play the didgeridoo and dance as often as possible. If you have something cool to teach or any project you need an extra hand on, I'm there! Making connections with people is my favorite thing in the world because there's nothing like the thrill of discovering something new about someone, especially something you would never expect. People tend to reveal themselves to you slowly- it's the time that you put into each other that makes the friendship lasting and rewarding. I never force relationships to be anything but what they are and so I love each and every person on a completely different level, be they a lover, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, a family member, a traveling mate, and acquaintance or a friend. I think that when you stop putting boundaries on the potential for relationships and experiences, you'll find that each and every one brings you contentment.

PHILOSOPHY

All I need in life I already have: food, shelter, water and love. The rest of my possessions are superfluous, and nothing feels as good as giving something you own to someone else who can appreciate it more than you. Life is about creating the greatest amount of contentment for those around you, but before you can do this you must always make sure to take care of yourself, and to explore and reassess you identity along the way, unafraid to make changes...otherwise you have no strength to give. My greatest desire is to find more wonderful people who can share in my experiences and help me to be a stronger, better person. Love begets love, and I have a lot to give!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I give what i can, and take only what i need. I am not always able to host because of my hectic lifestyle (if I'm hosting I really want to be able to provide more than a cold floor!), but I am ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS here to communicate with, to help new residents and travelers navigate this large and complicated city. I will make a great effort to explain the public transportation systems, help you find great and affordable food, housing, and fun. I also know a lot of different "scenes" in the bay area, and will help to the best of my ability get you in touch with people/events/parties/places where you can find your nook. Basically, I believe that nobody should have to feel like a tourist, and I will do everything I can to help you feel more like a native, able to navigate and connect and feel embedded and comfortable in this beautiful space that is the Bay!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I have hosted a few international surfers, who were all a pleasure (love you guys!), though I haven't used this site for surfing yet. I have couchsurfed quite a bit with friends of friends in my various travels in the US, and have had a multitude of good and bad experiences. Through it all, I understand that clear communication of needs is crucial, so I hope that you all feel comfortable expressing your needs before a surfing experience so that we can find the right fit!

Interests

pursuits of passion, artful alliterations, creating music

• singing
• beauty
• dancing
• dining
• cooking
• partying
• clothing
• traveling
• painting
• music
• surfing
• rivers
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I'm an lover of any artform created with passion or purpose. It means that I can listen to almost any kind of music and appreciate it for what it is...but specifically I really like folk music and american bluegrass, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, experimental/post-rock, and a lot of electronic music that makes you dance ecstatically.

My favorite books are Catch-22 and Illustrated Man, and thanks to the recommendation of a good friend, The Little Prince (Chapter 21 is my anchor to sanity). I read the first two of these at multiple intervals in my life and they continue to evolve in their meaning to me. Other than these I love most Shakepeare, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Grendel, Neuromancer (really ALL and ANY scifi!), The Process (best book I have read in years), and all things Robert Anton Wilson :)

Movies are my weakness! I adore them. I'm one of those people that hates when people talk to her in movies (unless they're horror ones...those are made for talking in). There is something about filmmaking that draws me to it with utter passion. Listing my favorites is like listing my favorite children so I'll do my best. My favorite writer is Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovitch, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), my favorite director is Stanley Kubrick (Dr. Strangelove, Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, Lolita, The Shining, 2001: A Space Odyssey), other than this I love: Y Tu Mama Tambien, Frida, Lawrence of Arabia, Casablanca, Midnight Cowboy, American Beauty, Pulp Fiction, Fargo, Captian Blood (and pretty much every other old Errol Flynn film), Harold and Maude. I also have a soft spot for documentaries, specifically Atomic Cafe.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've had my entire existence questioned and have come out on the other end a stronger human being. I've connected with stranger, who have become phenomenal friends. I have lost the love of my life and through it, have gained a lifetime of love. Perhaps my favorite travel adventure to date was my trip from Manali to Leh- the 18 hour bus ride through the mountains was perhaps the most breathtaking, beautiful experience of nature I've yet to behold...there is something incredible about the vast, barren, looming mountains, folding in on each other, clear blue rivers piercing the landscape, and the tiny nooks of settlements full of open-hearted humans scattered throughout...

Teach, Learn, Share

Most interested in:
Tantric Practices/Eastern Esoterism/Western Occultism (though I will put a HUGE asterisk here saying I'm not interested in the new age interpretations of these...I want original texts and commentaries, real historical analysis and open, educated discourse with a critical eye- no dogma please!)
Sanskrit

Countries I’ve Visited

China, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, India

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