CURRENT MISSION

Soak up the world before I die.

ABOUT ME

How can a person reduce himself to a digestible blurb? I'd like to think that I'm more than just the sum of my parts. I am working toward getting into a graduate program right now. My passions include music(as a listener and a creator), languages, NPR, art, snowboarding, bicycles, Pale Ales, culture, writing and walking.

www.myspace.com/absolutevan

PHILOSOPHY

What is this cosmic mystery we call life? Where did we come from and where are we going? Why do men have nipples? Nobody knows the answers to these questions, but many offer their best guess. I grip white-knuckled onto one thing when it comes to a personal philosophy: stay open-minded. Be unbiased, dynamic, more ears and less tongue. Given that, I feel that life is a gift and should be enjoyed. Live accordingly.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I sleep on couches. I have to say: I'm pretty darn good at it too.

I promise that as soon as I have a couch to lend, I will.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Who's never stayed on a friend's couch? I'm no stranger to the concept. In fact, I couchsurfed just last night, here in my hometown. I'm pretty well aware of the protocol.

Interests

I'm willing to indulge in about any sort diversion or revelry.

• arts
• culture
• writing
• walking
• music
• hiking
• snowboarding
• rock climbing
• languages

Music, Movies, and Books

Movies, music and books are among my favorite pastimes. It's hard to know even where to begin listing favorites. Here's a random mess of titles and band names for those keeping score: Modest Mouse, M. Ward, Murs, Slug, Bright Eyes, Eyedea and Abilities, Tupac, Damien Rice, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, My Morning Jacket, Tom Waits, Radiohead, Rise Against, Wolf Parade, Soundgarden, Nick Drake, Neko Case, Cat Power, The Refused, Thrice, New Pornographers, Depeche Mode, Medeski, Martin &; Wood, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Uncle Buck, Arek, Gorillaz, Little Barrie, Mason Jennings, Broken Social Scene, Mos Def, Spoon, Fiona Apple, Lionel Hampton, Ben Harper, Life After God… Anything by Douglas Coupland, really, Strung Out, Dan The Automator, Sparta, Primus, OutKast, Alice In Chains, Weezer, Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Use For A Name, Nickel Creek, Jaime Cullum, Anything by Chuck Palahniuk, especially Survivor, Breakfast of Champions, Heat, The Departed, Fight Club, Waking Life, Hurricane, Sexy Beast, Casino, Being John Malkovich, Rushmore, Life Aquatic, Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell, Shampoo Planet, Microserfs, Hemingway, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Westing Game.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hiking into the canyons of Maui. Climbing Santorini alongside a slew of stinky donkeys.

Teach, Learn, Share

Being educated does not mean knowing everything, but knowing that there is so much knowledge out there just waiting to be grasped. As far as practical goes, these two men might fall into the "jack of all trades" category. Officially, I possess two college degrees.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United States